Page 17 of Rescued By the Highland Warrior
“See me laird,” Lennox interjected smoothly. “It’s nae that we doubt yer judgment, of course. But there’s wisdom in caution, aye? A hasty alliance, especially wi’ a family we dinnae ken well, could bring… unintended consequences.”
Roderick smiled to himself, making a concentrated effort to retain his composure. “May I point out tae all o' ye that we had agreed as a Council that there was a strong need fer more grain an' land. Ye only need tae go so far beyond our castle’s gates tae see that. Need I remind ye that this is exactly somethin' Moira’s family can provide? Or have ye forgotten, swayed by the seductive words o' one o' our Council members?”
Lennox’s smirk faltered ever so slightly as they stared at one another from across the table. He leaned and whispered something to Malcolm, who was sitting right beside him.
“Nay,” the young man stuttered. “That isnae the case. But it is our duty as yer councilmen tae ensure that ye are makin' the right choice. Or speak if we believe there tae be any considerations pertainin' tae yer judgement.”
A few councilmen nodded in cautious agreement, their movements slow and deliberate as though unsure of how far to commit.
“An’ what, Lennox, have ye tae say?”
Lennox leaned back in his chair, his expression as calm and calculated as ever. “I dinnae wish tae sway any man one way or the other wi' seductive words. I only wish tae serve ye, me laird.”
Roderick wasn’t too troubled by Lennox’s machinations in truth, despite his overt arrogance and disrespect towards him. He had expected them. What concerned him was the reaction of the rest of his councilmen. The subtle shifts in the demeanor of those who had been convinced by Lennox, possibly with Malcolm’s aid, but did not have the courage or the conviction to say how they truly felt.
"I see that there is some hesitation," Roderick said, his tone steady as he leaned forward slightly, hands resting on the table's edge. "But let’s go through the facts that we ken, shall we? Did Moira nae fit in well last night at the betrothal feast? She introduced hersel' wi' grace, spoke kindly tae all in attendance, an' carried hersel' wi' dignity befittin' a lass o' her standing, did she nae?"
He paused, allowing his words to settle, scanning the room for any rebuttal. None came, though a few councilmen exchanged glances.
"Did she nae engage each of ye in conversation?" Roderick pressed on, his voice firm but without anger. "Did she nae ask after yer families, yer lands, an’ yer concerns fer this clan? If any man here can claim she was anythin' less than respectful, let him speak now."
The room remained silent.
"An’ as fer her family," Roderick continued, his tone sharpening slightly, "they bring resources we sorely need. Land an’ connections that could bolster trade an' strengthen alliances. Once again, are these nae the very things we agreed were necessary fer the prosperity of our clan?”
A few murmurs of agreement rippled through the Council, but Lennox remained silent, his eyes locked on Roderick with an air of defiance.
“Aye,” Cameron spoke at last, breaking the tension. “I didnae want tae speak until now so as nae tae interrupt ye, but I agree. This will be good fer the clan. When someone new comes along, it always takes time fer folk tae adjust. But Roderick kens what he is doin’, regardless of suspicions or how any one of us feels about the lass—which is, fer the most part, nae important.”
He looked around the room, his steady voice gaining confidence as he saw a few councilmen nodding in agreement. “What matters is what this alliance will bring tae the clan. Land, resources, an' strength. If the laird kens this is the best path forward, then I, fer one, stand behind him.”
Roderick inclined his head toward Cameron, a flicker of gratitude crossing his face. “Thank ye, Cameron. Ye speak wi’ the wisdom and loyalty I’d expect from a man o’ this Council.”
Malcolm scoffed, the sound sharp and dismissive as it cut through the tense air. “Wisdom, is it? Or blind loyalty masqueradin’ as such?”
“Ye would dae well tae watch yer tongue,” Cameron said, his eyes sharp and his voice edged with caution. Cameron was quick to anger when it came to matters of loyalty, but Roderick knew that his faith was not blind. Roderick could count on him to speak the truth when needed, for more than a fellow Council member, Cameron was a close friend. They told each other everything, and while he felt some guilt not disclosing the truth about Moira, he knew that he would ultimately understand.
“We’re here tae serve the laird an’ this clan,” he continued, “nae tae undermine him wi’ baseless insinuations.”
“Aye,” Roderick said, speaking with clarity. “I promise ye. If at any point ye find evidence that shows me betrothal tae Lady Wilson doesnae benefit the clan, I’ll find a way tae break it off wi’out causin’ any harm. So, I ask ye now, dae ye have evidence?
The table turned to look at Lennox, who leaned back, a scowl across his face.
“Nay, me Laird,” Lennox admitted, though his voice carried a bitter edge. “I’ve nay evidence. Only concerns.”
“Concerns without substance are whispers in the wind,” Roderick said, his voice calm but resolute. “An’ whispers alone cannae guide the decisions o’ this council. However, I dae believe each concern, nae matter how baseless, tae be o’ importance, an’ I can assure everyone that I dinnae tak’ the matter lightly.”
“Prove it,” Malcolm muttered.
“I beg yer pardon?”
Lennox met his gaze, emboldened now, though his fingers twitched as if betraying his unease. “If ye say ye tak’ our concerns seriously, then leave it tae all o’ us tae decide. Befittin’, is it nae, since the decision affects us all?”
“An’ how dae ye propose that?”
“We have a vote,” Lennox said. “All those in favor stand tae the left side o’ the room, all those against stand tae the right.”
“Lennox–” Cameron began, practically seething. His eyes narrowed as he glared across the table. “This is nae the way tae resolve such matters.”
