Page 10 of Stolen by the Rival Scot (Tartan Trails of Love #2)

CHAPTER TEN

J ust as that thought flew through his mind, the mare did exactly that. Rearing onto her back legs, the evident distress emanated from the animals’ harrowing cries.

Evelyn was screaming in terror.

Hardly having time to think, Edward threw out an arm. Knowing what was likely to happen, and desperate to save her, he had already moved Archer closer. It happened to be a good thing, for as Evelyn flew backwards, he caught her by the wrist.

“Oh, God! Oh, God,” Evelyn cried, as Edward brought his own steed to a steady stop, while, at the same time, pulling her up toward him. “Dinnae drop me. Please, dinnae drop me.”

When she was level with him, he then used his other arm. Wrapping it around her waist, he tucked her tightly into his body.

Settling her across his lap, he pulled her in close. With her arms around his neck, she rested her head against his shoulder, her hair brushing against the skin of his face. She was breathless, the pulse in her throat thumping at great speed. His own heart matched it, for everything had happened so quickly. He was also aware, had he not reacted swiftly, things could have ended very differently.

“Ye’re safe now, little bird,” he said gently, rubbing a tender hand at her back.

It took several more minutes for Evelyn to settle herself. When she did so, she turned around to look for her mare.

“Where is she?”

“Long gone,” Edward replied knowingly. “There was a snake on the path. The poor thing was terrified. The horse, I mean,” he teased. “Nae the snake.”

Something that sounded like broken laughter emanated from Evelyn’s lips. “Aye, I ken how she feels.”

Edward smiled against the softness of her hair. “Come. Let us return. If yer mare arrives at the castle without us, she’ll start a panic.”

The gates of the castle were already open as they approached not twenty minutes later. There seemed to be a flurry of activity ahead, but upon seeing them, someone called out.

“There they are!” a guard bellowed. “Laird and Lady Campbell have returned.”

Passing through the gates, it was evident the guards had recognized Evelyn’s horse. The mare indeed, had made its way back to the castle. Being an intelligent beast, she had run to safety after her dreadful fright.

“We began tae worry, me laird,” one of the guards said, once Edward had lowered Evelyn to the ground. “Lady Campbell’s horse came galloping into the courtyard at great speed. It took four o’ us tae calm it.”

Edward dismounted, nodding as they relayed the occurrence.

“Aye. The mare threw Evelyn,” Edward said, his words causing gasps of concern.

Craig had arrived on the scene, and upon hearing Edward’s statement, he looked worried. “Are ye all right, me lady? Are ye injured? Shall I fetch the healer?”

“I am fine, Craig. Really,” Evelyn said calmly. “Please dinnae fuss. We met a snake on the path and me mare panicked.” She paused a beat, before continuing. “Thankfully, Edward was there tae save me.”

Craig flashed a hitched eyebrow at Edward, before looking back at Evelyn. Edward swallowed the smile that threatened to break free at his newfound friend’s expression, for his look had conveyed both surprise and pride.

“As a husband ought,” Edward added. “Now, Evelyn.” He turned her to face him, looking her directly in the eyes, which were softer than usual. She seemed to have settled after her ordeal, but he wanted to be certain. “Is there anything ye need? Perhaps a visit tae the healer fer a tonic might nae be a bad idea.”

Evelyn shook her head determinedly. “I’m fine. I dinnae need a tonic. I think I will retire and rest a while. It’s been a busy day.”

“Very well,” Edward replied. “I will walk ye in.”

“Nay,” Evelyn said, shaking her head in frustration. “There is nae need for all this fussing. Me legs work perfectly fine.”

Once more, Craig grinned at Edward as Evelyn left the group and headed toward the castle entrance. Edward watched her go. A second before he turned his eyes away, Caitlin came hurrying out of the castle and met her mistress.

“So, ye saved her,” Craig said, still grinning widely.

“Would ye have preferred I let her fall and break her neck?” Edward quipped back. “It wasnae a big deal.”

The men began walking to the castle. “Och, I dinnae ken about that.” Craig inclined his head. “Did ye hear her speak? She hesitated fer the slightest second.”

Edward shrugged. “And?”

“Well, she could have said any number o’ things. But she chose tae tell me that ye saved her.”

“Ye’re making too much o’ it.” Edward shook his head. “The woman still cannae stand me. And besides, I did save her.”

Craig chuckled then, patting Edward on the back. “Ye’ve a lot tae learn about women, me friend.”

“While I’d love tae discuss me love-life, I have more pressing concerns right now,” Edward replied. “I need tae call a Council meeting.”

The smile fell from Craig’s lips, and, looking a little taken aback, he lifted his eyebrows at Edward. “Something is wrong.”

“Aye, indeed it is. I’m heading tae me study. Have everyone gather in the meeting room immediately.”

Half an hour later, Edward settled the murmuring of the councilmen, and began to speak.

“I’ve spent the day visiting the farms in the nearby area. I did this fer a specific reason. Last night, as I browsed through the ledgers, I could nae help notice some discrepancy in the accounts.”

His words were met with disturbed murmurs and deepening frowns.

“It has come tae me attention that the lands are nae producing what they are capable o’. More than that, I dinnae ken how we are going tae get through this year.”

“But I dinnae understand,” Michael declared. “I was under the impression that Alistair had everything in place fer our clan tae flourish.”

“Ye are nae the only one,” Edward replied, remembering Evelyn’s words. “But the fact remains. We are in trouble.”

For the most part, those gathered seemed both surprised and disturbed by this news. But as Edward took in their reactions, he noticed that there were a few who seemed almost complacent at what they had heard. It did not surprise him that these same council members where the first to protest.

“Gilroy and I have been managing the accounts fer the clan far longer than ye, me laird,” Thomas snarled. “I believe, given yer lack o’ knowledge when it comes tae these matters, that ye have misconstrued the situation.”

“Aye,” Gilroy added. “If it was as dire as ye portray, we would have kent it and told the Council.” He swung a wide arm that incorporated all those present.

“Ye are trying tae tell me that I am wrong?” Edward retorted.

“I think ye are overreacting, me laird,” Thomas bit back. “We have survived so far. In fact, we have many trade agreements that have kept us going. Dinnae come in here as some kind o’ hero, telling us that ye can dae better tae win us over.”

Clenching his jaw, Edward struggled to hold his temper. He had already decided that he didn’t like this man. Not only was he argumentative, he was clearly also a manipulator. More than that, there was something sneaky about him.

“Perhaps ye are unaware o’ how the real world works, Thomas,” Edward growled. “The ledgers are clear tae read, and the bottom line here is, I simply cannae reconcile how we are going tae afford tae live.”

“How bad is it, me laird?” Michael asked.

“Apart from the fact that our income is poor tae say the least, we also owe money tae several clans, including Clan Wallace.”

In that second, a thought occurred to him. A horrible thought, at that.

“Perhaps that is the reason ye were so eager tae marry Lady Evelyn off tae them? Was there some kind o’ agreement tae be made? A marriage tae pay o’ yer debt? Or were they going tae tak’ over yer lands as well?”

“How dare ye?” Thomas spat.

“Silence,” Edward bellowed.

Sharp gasps echoed around the room. Stunned, Thomas immediately clamped his mouth shut.

“In me examination, I realized that there isnae even enough money tae pay the dowry tae me faither. It would make sense tae me then, that a deal with Clan Wallace and what they could have gotten out o’ ye, would have served ye better. Now,” Edward took in a deep breath to calm himself a little. “That might nae be the case. I can only hope that it isnae.”

Michael’s eyes had widened in despair, and shaking his head, he said, “I cannae speak fer the others, me laird. But, I agree wholeheartedly with ye. It is despicable tae even contemplate. Nor is it something I would personally consider. These decisions, if taken out of necessity, are entirely up tae the laird, who is a close relative of the maiden tae be married.”

Edward believed the older man. Not only did he look disgusted, but his tone relayed a heaviness that betrayed his despair.

“I am with Michael,” another councilman added, whose name Edward couldn’t remember, “and thus, am also with ye, me laird. Perhaps a closer inspection of these ledgers is what is needed. Thomas and Gilroy have always dealt with the finances o’ the clan without much surveillance, and?—”

“How dare ye?” Thomas spat angrily.

But the councilman ignored him and pressed on, “—and we have been left in the dark. Perhaps it is time fer all that tae change.”

While Thomas and Gilroy were nearly foaming at the mouth with anger, most of the others who sat around the table were nodding in agreement with their colleague.

“We have done naething that hasnae been fer the good o’ the clan,” Gilroy objected, clearly seeing that the rest were against him.

“How can we possibly ken that tae be true?” John barked. “Yer dealings have never been discussed. We have trusted ye tae dae what was necessary. Now, we have tae wonder if our trust has been misplaced.”

At that, Thomas stood so violently, his chair fell backwards, crashing against the stone floor.

“I willnae remain here and be spoken tae in such a manner,” he barked, storming towards the door with Gilroy close on his heels. “I willnae be accused o’ bringing our clan tae wreck and ruin by a group o’ men who dinnae ken their arse from their elbow.”

Thomas and Gilroy slammed the door closed at their exit, leaving a heavy tension in their wake. For a long second, nobody said a word. Edward watched those who remained very closely. By what he could see, none of the others were showing any signs of sympathy or support for them. Getting a good read on those remaining, it became apparent that perhaps, there were only two bad apples in the basket.

“Well, that was exciting,” Edward said jovially, cracking a smile.

Nervous laughter came from the men who remained at the table. Craig sat with a beaming grin on his face.

“All right. Back tae business. I think what has been proposed is a good idea. Nay two men ought tae be in charge o’ something that affects an entire clan. Going forward, the accounts will be discussed openly at every meeting.”

“What are we tae dae in the meantime, me laird?” Michael asked.

“Our time will be consumed with organizing the wedding feast over the coming days, so we will have tae prioritize that. However, I wish this conversation tae remain among us only. What has been spoken about today cannae leave this room.” The men nodded solemnly in understanding as he spoke. “If any other discovers what we ken, it could put our clan in danger. We can appear weak tae outside forces.”

“Still, we need tae address it,” John added.

“O’ course,” Edward replied. “The situation is dire, and we as a group must mak’ every effort tae fix things as soon as possible.”

Later that night, after supper had come and gone, Edward sat in front of the fire in his study with a drink in his hand. The amber liquid clung to the glass after every sip, while the flames danced before his eyes, nearly sending him into a trance.

At some point, he was going to have to let his father know the score. The MacGregors were expecting a dowry from the Campbells, a dowry they simply could not provide. It confused him when he thought about it. How had Alistair planned to marry Evelyn to James without the needed funds? He hadn’t made any other deal with Laird MacGregor. His father would have told him, for surely, the same deal would apply now.

It wasn’t making much sense.

But as long as he sat there, contemplating the situation, nothing became any clearer. Perhaps Evelyn had been right. Perhaps her uncle had thought all was indeed well with the finances. Besides, after that meeting earlier, it was clear that Thomas and Gilroy were not being honest. And for how long had that been the case?

Edward was determined that Thomas was trying to hide his guilt behind the defensive reaction he had displayed. The fact that he stormed out only reinforced that notion.

Eventually, exhaustion crept over him, and, no longer able to think straight, Edward decided to retire. Standing at the study door, he peered back inside at the ledgers that sat on the shelf. Slipping the key into the lock, he closed the door and locked it. Under the circumstances, he didn’t want anyone else near those accounts right now. He knew what he had discovered. He also had his suspicions of who was involved. It would not do if pages suddenly went missing. Pages that would prove him right.

Wearily, Edward made his way to the bedchamber. Upon opening the door, something seemed a little out of place. Closing it behind him, it took him a minute to recognize what it was.

“What the devil is this?” he gestured to the blankets that lay on the floor.

His new wife was already comfortably settled in their bed. She gave him a determined look as he walked further into the room.

“It is where ye will be sleeping from now on,” she replied firmly.

A snort of disbelief left him. “Are ye winding me up? After the day I’ve had?”

Her face remained passive, yet fixed. It was as though she felt she had to hold such an expression to stick to her resolve; that showing any emotion would weaken her.

“It’s this simple. If ye want tae sleep in the same room as me, ye willnae be daeing so in this bed.”