Page 17 of Stolen by the Rival Scot (Tartan Trails of Love #2)

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

T he day before, when Edward had left Evelyn to rest in bed after slipping out of the bedchamber, he could not deny that he had had more than a spring in his step as he strolled down the corridor. After all, it had been the most intimate they had ever been. More than that, though, he had lost himself in her. A feeling he could not recall experiencing ever before.

Still, he had had to repress all those feelings that danced around his heart when he met with the Council. It had taken a half hour to gather everyone. In the meeting room, the atmosphere had been tense, more than ever.

“The guards are determined that they saw nay clan symbols, me laird,” Michael declared. “They were questioned thoroughly, and all of them say the same thing.”

“Aye. These men came out o’ nowhere,” Craig added with a furrowed brow. “What I cannae understand is how they kent where tae find Lady Evelyn and the other lasses in the first place.”

“That’s nae hard,” Thomas piped up. “They were likely watching the castle from afar. It mak’s sense that they followed them and then moved forward in their attack.”

Edward nodded at Thomas, for as much as he disliked the man, it was the likeliest scenario.

“But why?” Edward pressed.

“Tae discover that answer,” Michael countered, “we first need tae ken who they were. Without kenning that, we cannae possibly understand their motives, the reason behind it.”

The meeting went on for some time. When the discussions about the attack were exhausted, for they had so little to go on, talk turned to defending the castle. It was decided that more guards were to be positioned on the walls and at the gates, especially with the upcoming wedding feast.

“That is going tae be our largest problem,” Craig announced. “There will be people coming from all over tae attend. How can we possibly keep any traitors from entering our midst?”

“The guards will be ordered tae be extra careful,” Michael replied, “though, I can only imagine that their awareness is already heightened after what happened today.”

The meeting ended with plans for the security of the castle. They concluded that scouts would also be sent out. Discovering who those men were was imperative. Clan Campbell could not defend itself against an unknown enemy.

After supper, Evelyn had retired early. She still did not look like herself, but then, Edward imagined it was going to take her some time to get over what had happened that afternoon. He and James spent some time in his study. The two sat gazing into the fire, each with a glass of amber liquid in their hand.

“This isnae good, braither,” James said.

While not usual, given James was a member of Clan MacGregor, Edward had invited James to join him at the Council meeting earlier that afternoon. There were a few disgruntled faces, but Edward had made it very clear that it had been James’s wife and sister who had also been attacked. Thus, he had every right to be there.

James took a long sip of his drink before he continued. “Ye cannae defend yersel’ against an unkent enemy.”

Edward nodded, his attention on the dancing flames before him while he contemplated the situation.

“Perhaps ye should tell Faither,” James offered.

“Nay!” Edward replied sharply. “I am a new laird, James. How would it look if, at the first sign o’ trouble, I run back tae me faither fer help?”

“Dinnae let yer pride cause yer demise, braither,” James said carefully. “I am nae insinuating that ye cannae deal with this situation alone. I am saying, ye dinnae have tae. Faither can at least offer advice. He doesnae need tae be involved in any other manner.”

James’ words soothed Edward a little. Of course, his brother was right.

“I apologize fer me overreaction.”

James shook his head. “Nay apology needed. Yer wife was nearly murdered. This day, ye can get away with any reaction ye like.”

The brothers shared a glance, and then smiled at each other.

“Perhaps the scouts will bring us the news we need,” Edward said.

His words sounded more hopeful than he really felt. Even when the suggestion was made at the Council meeting, he struggled to understand how scouts were supposed to identify men if they wore nothing with which to identify themselves.

“Though who the scouts will actually be looking for is anybody’s guess,” he added, betraying his lack of confidence.

James looked over at him then. “Ye dinnae think they will find anything.”

Edward shook his head. “What are they tae find, if these men wore naething that would identify them? It mak’s little sense tae me.”

“They might have left a trail, braither,” James said consolingly. “Yer wife bravely killed one o’ them. There will be traces o’ blood. There will be tracks from the horses, fer with so many, they willnae have been able tae disguise them.”

Edward shrugged. “Aye. I suppose.”

“Dinnae lose faith yet,” James said. “This is yer first encounter, having tae deal with such a thing. Ye might find ye’re surprised what the scouts are capable o’ discovering.”

After bidding his brother goodnight, Edward had retired. It was late, and thus he felt no surprise at finding his beautiful wife in a deep, peaceful sleep. At least, that was his hope. That fiend could not hurt her now, but he could torture her in her dreams.

Sleep still possessed her when he woke, and, for fear of disturbing her, he had slipped silently out of bed, pulled on his robe, and moved across the room. The fire was nearly out, but a few small logs placed on top of the embers crackled, as the dying fire searched for new life to begin the day.

It was his brother’s suggestion that had him moving over to the writing desk. Taking a piece of parchment, he began a letter to his father. His initial pride in not wanting to ask for help had been tempered by James’ words.

Had he taken over the lairdship from his father, he would have expected no less help. It made sense then, to seek the advice and wisdom of a man who had dealt with such responsibilities for far longer than he.

Laird MacGregor had planned to come to the wedding feast, but Edward’s mother had taken ill. Edward had to wonder if her illness was genuine, especially after what she had put Freya and James through. She had never agreed to their union and had been displeased that Edward was to take James’ place as Laird Campbell.

But Edward wisely decided not to pen his doubts to his father. There were things better left unsaid. Besides, he could not be sure if his mother was truly ill or not. If she was, his words would have been both insensitive and unkind. Instead, he was determined to send her his love and best wishes for greater health.

When Edward had finished the letter, Evelyn continued to sleep soundly in their bed. After dressing himself, he returned to the bed and once more, lay down beside her. Watching her sleep gave him a feeling of solace. Besides, he was able to take in all the details of her beauty without the bashfulness she usually displayed.

The woman lying beside him had meant to be the wife of his brother, and yet, Edward had grown more and more grateful that she now belonged to him. Indeed, things had been difficult between them, but he had never given up trying to reach her heart. It had been worth the wait.

Once Caitlin arrived, Edward headed downstairs, where, as one might expect, the castle was filled with activity. Maids and servants hurried in one direction or the other. Some held bedding, others baskets of food. There were clearly last-minute arrangements being made.

Making his way to the great hall, wonderful aromas floated up from the depths of the kitchen to meet him. He could smell braised pork, the poignant scent of vegetables, as well as the sweet smells of bread and bracken. He had not yet eaten, and while his mouth watered, his stomach rumbled.

Stepping into the great hall, even more activity met his gaze. The tables were decorated with large candles and foliage, and the chairs with ribbons. Each tall window was decorated with flowers and greenery, as was the top table at the very front of the hall, where he and Evelyn would sit that night as they welcomed all their guests.

A movement to his left caught his eye, and Edward turned toward it. Craig, with a beaming smile, took long strides to meet him, leaving the servant he had been speaking to only a moment before to continue with his task.

“Good day tae ye, Edward,” Craig said enthusiastically. “How are ye feeling on yer big day?”

Edward smiled and nodded. “Full of hope and expectation,” he replied.

At those words, Craig inclined his head to the side and appeared to look at Edward more intently. For a long moment, he did not speak. A slow smile grew on his lips, a smile that became broader as each second passed.

“There is something different about ye this day,” Craig said, his eyes sparkling.

Feigning ignorance, Edward looked surprised. “Different?”

Craig now smirked. “Aye. Different. Ye actually look like a man who is happy tae be getting married.”

“Fer a start, me friend,” Edward said carefully. “I am already married, and thus, secondly, yer surmising mak’s little sense.”

Hitching an eyebrow, Craig threw him a knowing look. “Ye ken well what I’m saying, even if ye are nae willing tae admit it.”

The men danced around the obvious for a few seconds longer, before Craig produced a letter from his pocket.

“This arrived early this morning.” He then handed the parchment to Edward.

Unfolding the letter, Edward began to read.

I am unwilling tae address this letter tae Laird Campbell, fer in me eyes, ye dinnae deserve such a greeting. Instead, I will address it tae the man who has pushed himself intae such a position against the will of others.

This letter stands as a warning.

Dae nae proceed with this day’s events. There will be consequences fer yer actions. Nae least of which, the lack of support from any allies. That includes meself and all of Clan Wallace.

It would be wise fer ye tae take heed of this letter. I dinnae write it with a light heart.

Laird Samuel Wallace

Surprised at the letter being so short, Edward turned it over in his hand, unsure if he might have missed something more that the laird had written. But the other side of the parchment was blank.

He read over the words again, and now, with a furrowed brow, he looked back to Craig.

“Am I tae worry about this warning? What dae ye ken o’ Laird Wallace? Is he likely tae charge the castle in the middle o’ the proceedings?”

Craig lifted his hands in a calming motion and shook his head. “I dinnae think there will be any charge, Edward. The letter came as a surprise tae others from the Council.”

“There was a meeting?” Edward blurted, surprised they would have one without him.

Craig shook his head vigorously. “Nae at all. But when the letter arrived and was handed tae me, I was already speaking with Michael and John.”

Edward relaxed a little. “And?”

“While the letter, at first read, is concerning, we concluded the same. Clan Wallace has been a valuable ally fer many years. He may be disturbed at the swift changes that have occurred, the transition o’ leadership, but we dinnae believe he would ever dae something tae cause Clan Campbell any harm.”

Edward considered that answer for a few moments.

“Me faither could well have said that about Alistair Campbell,” he said thoughtfully.

“I think we can both agree that the circumstances differ wildly, Edward,” Craig reasoned. “Clan Campbell and Clan MacGregor had an arrangement that was supposed tae be honored. Nay such arrangement has ever been made with Clan Wallace. Besides, I am confident that the majority o’ the Council now realize that Alistair made the wrong choice. In fact, most o’ us were against his decision tae go intae battle with Clan MacGregor ‘afore he did so.”

Edward could not argue with Craig’s sensible reasoning. The circumstances were indeed, different. Still, Laird Wallace’s warning unsettled him somewhat. He imagined the laird viewed Edward as unexperienced, and thus, felt he might be able to push his desires. But as inexperienced as Edward might be, he was no coward. Nor did he take instructions from a man who had nothing at all to do with his clan.

More than all of that, he and Evelyn were already married, so the letter held no weight. Nor did it make any sense. The celebration that they were all about to enjoy was just that, a celebration. The legality of their marriage was already set. Surely, Laird Wallace knew that. He was about to make that point to Craig but then, changed his mind. Perhaps it might be a good idea to bring it up at the next Council meeting though.

“Thank ye fer yer input, Craig. Still, I think it would be prudent fer me tae return a letter tae Laird Wallace. Perhaps a greater understanding o’ his reasons might shed some light on this.”

Craig nodded. “I agree. The letter is strange in the fact that ye and Evelyn are already married. It doesnae mak’ sense.”

Edward nodded and smiled, for the councilman, being as astute as always, had practically read his mind.

“After some breakfast, I will go tae me study and dae that immediately. There will be little time later.”

The men parted, and Edward made his way to the family dining room. James, Freya and Morgana were already seated and clearly in the middle of breakfast.

“Ah, there is the man o’ the hour,” James declared with a beaming smile. “Come, join us ‘afore there is naething left fer ye tae eat.”