Page 46 of The Lady of Red River Valley (Ladies of the Wilderness #2)

Was this one of the de Meuron soldiers? Arran lifted his hands and blinked as the rain dripped over the brim of his hat. “Arran MacLean, Lord Selkirk’s agent at the Red River Colony. I’ve come to see his lordship.”

“We heard you were a prisoner at Fort William.”

“Aye. I escaped to warn Lord Selkirk of a plan to assassinate him and remove myself and my men in secret.”

“How do I know you are MacLean and not a clerk from Fort William, come to assassinate the earl with this story?”

“You may check me for weapons. I have none.”

Another guard appeared from the opposite direction, his musket raised. The first one nodded toward Arran. “Search him for a weapon.”

The morning hours were quickly approaching. Arran had little time to tarry, but he waited patiently as the guard searched his person.

“He has no weapons.”

The first guard motioned for Arran to follow him. They moved around several tents and past doused campfires before coming to a large, white tent. It sat in the middle of the others, with an ornate fringe around the top.

“Lord Selkirk?” the guard asked, loud enough to wake him. “My lord?”

“Yes? What is it?” came the startled response.

“A man claiming to be Arran MacLean is here to see you.”

“MacLean?” Selkirk’s voice was more awake now. Within a minute, he was at the flap, squinting into the night. “Arran? Is that you?”

“Aye, my lord.”

Selkirk grinned and motioned Arran into his tent. “Come out of the rain.”

“Is he safe, my lord?” the guard asked.

“Yes, yes.” Selkirk put his hand on Arran’s shoulder and drew him into the tent. “I am surprised to see you, my boy. You are drenched.” He took a quilt off his cot and draped it over Arran’s back. He then went to a lantern and struck a match, lighting the wick. “How did you get away?”

“I waited until dark and made my escape. I had to come and tell you not to delay in your plans. The Nor’westers plan to remove us from the fort and get us to Montreal before you can release us. They also hope to assassinate you.”

Selkirk paused as he drew bread and cheese from a box near his table.

He slowly set them down and then took a glass goblet from a different box.

“I am aware of the threat to my life.” His face had aged a great deal since Arran had last seen him in Scotland over four years ago.

As the youngest of seven sons, he never thought to inherit the earldom.

Instead, he had spent his early years in educational pursuits, hoping to become a lawyer.

While studying at the University of Edinburgh, he took notice of the poor Scottish Highlanders being displaced by their landlords.

When he became the 5 th Earl of Selkirk, after the untimely death of each of his brothers to yellow fever and lung disease, he decided to use his wealth and power to help colonize the Red River Valley for his fellow kinsmen.

He was only forty-five, but he looked much older.

The work with the colony had not been kind to him.

“I have fought enemies every step of the way,” Selkirk said.

“First in England, then in Montreal, and now here.”

“I am sorry, my lord.”

Selkirk shook his head and lifted a hand to stop Arran’s platitudes. He put chunks of bread and cheese on a plate, then poured Arran a glass of wine. “It is to be expected. The fur trade is one of the largest industries in the world.”

“What do you plan to do?” Arran received the plate and goblet and set them on the table nearby. He was hungrier than he thought and soon devoured the food and drink.

“When I learned about the increasing trouble in Assiniboia, I came to Montreal and petitioned for assistance from the Canadians, but was given none. I finally was able to secure a position as Justice of the Peace and was awarded six armed guards for my protection—but that is all the help I was given to combat what is happening to my people in the Red River Valley.”

“I’m surprised you were given that much, since the majority of Montreal is in the control of the North West Company.”

“I am well-aware.” Selkirk poured himself a glass of wine and took a seat across from Arran. He wore his long shirt untucked over a pair of breeches. “When I knew I would get no help, I hired the de Meuron soldiers.”

“So, then it’s true?”

Lord Selkirk nodded, a smile lifting his lips. “Yes, and they have not disappointed me. In payment for their help, I have guaranteed them land in Assiniboia, with all the necessary implements to farm. If they are not happy there, I have promised to return them to Europe at no cost to them.”

Arran’s stomach turned sour at the thought of Assiniboia. He set the last of the cheese on the plate, unable to finish it. “I’m afraid I couldna hold the fort.”

“I heard.” Selkirk took a sip of his wine, his voice heavy. “I do not blame you, MacLean. It was a massacre. I’m appalled at what happened.”

“How did you learn we had been removed to Fort William?”

“I was able to free Miles Macdonell in Montreal and sent him ahead to Assiniboia with a few dozen voyageurs employed by the Hudson’s Bay Company.

They left several weeks before I did, and when they reached Assiniboia, they heard what happened.

Knowing you had been brought to Fort William, they immediately turned back and met up with me at Sault St. Marie.

I tried, in vain, to get the help of two other magistrates, one from Drummond Island and the other from Sault St. Marie, hoping to have disinterested parties act on my behalf, but neither were able to leave their posts.

With little choice, I had to come on my own.

I redirected my course and have just arrived. ”

“For which I’m grateful.” Arran could not deny God’s timing was perfection. Not only was Selkirk here, but he had an entire army with him. “How many soldiers are in your employ?”

“Nearly two hundred.”

It was even better than Arran had hoped. “And they will all reside in Assiniboia?”

“Yes, after we’ve cleared the trouble here at Fort William.

” Selkirk set down his goblet and crossed his arms. “I thank God you came tonight. I had thought to send spies to survey the fort and make a map for us, but it would have taken days or even a week. With you by my side, it will be much easier to overtake our enemy.”

“We must not wait. We will need to enter before daybreak and before they’re aware that I left.”

“We will be outside the stockade by first light. I give you my word.”

“Thank you.” There were so many things that could still go wrong, but Arran would do whatever was necessary to help.

“But first,” Selkirk said, “you have not spoken of my wife’s cousin.

How is Lady Eleanor? My wife received a letter from her dated July of 1815, just after they arrived at York Factory.

We were very sorry to hear that Mrs. West had passed away—and then later that Reverend West died in the massacre. ”

“Lady Eleanor is very well.” Arran couldn’t help but smile thinking about her. “Though, I have not seen her since my arrest two months ago. She—” He paused. “She was engaged to Reverend West at the time of his death.”

“Oh, I had no idea, though I am not surprised.”

“He had asked her to raise his daughter as her own, if something should happen to him.”

“What a momentous responsibility for an unmarried lady.”

“I pray to God she willna have to raise Miriam on her own.” Lord Selkirk could not be ignorant of Arran and Eleanor’s romance at St. Mary’s Isle. “She has agreed to become my wife.”

Selkirk smiled and nodded. “Congratulations.”

A heavy weight settled in Arran’s stomach. “I only pray she is well and patient as she awaits my return.”

“We will both pray for such a thing. Now.” Selkirk clapped his hands together and rubbed them in anticipation. “We must plan our strategy for overtaking Fort William. The hour grows late.”

Arran nodded. He was ready for redemption.