Page 58 of Bride of the Mad Laird
“Good morrow, Edmund.”
His advisor’s face was etched with lines he’d not seen before today.
“I cannae lie, me laird. From the few words I’ve spoken with a number of different Councilors, I am of the mind they’ll nae support the wisdom of keeping the lady under our protection.”
“But nay all share the same view?”
Edmund offered a grim smile. “I am certain ye will find some who support ye. ‘Tis yer task tae bring them all tae the same view as yerself. That we should risk war.”
Tòrr shook his head. “Nae.Riskingwar is nae longer the question,there will be war.He drew the parchment out of his sporran and displayed it to Edmund. “MacDougall makes it clear.”
As he read the parchment, the etched lines on Edmund’s features deepened. He handed it back, with a deep sigh of resignation.
Tòrr placed his hand on his friend’s shoulder. “I dinnae trust that the man will leave us in peace, even if the Lyra is delivered into his hands. He will come tae punish us regardless.”
“I agree. MacDougall is nae a man who brooks defiance without inflicting dire punishment.”
Tòrr shrugged. “So we must prepare. Send word tae our allies that their support is needed and in the meantime we must make ready fer a siege.”
Edmund fixed him with a quizzical expression, an eyebrow arched. “And fer all this, ye have a plan tae persuade the Council tae accept yer wishes?”
“Aye.” Tòrr sent his gaze across the water to the distant horizon before turning back to Edmund. “Nae only dae I intend tae tell them I will seek the MacInnes help in battle. I intend tae marry Lady MacInnes meself.”
“Is that truly what ye wish?”
Tòrr followed this with a bitter laugh. “’Tis nay the way I ever thought I’d wed a lass – tae save her from another man’s bed – but I see it as the only way it may be possible tae deter MacDougall.”
“And will the lass agree?”
“Who can say?” Doubt curled in Tòrr’s belly. “She’s a headstrong lass, and I daresay being wed isnae what she wishes. I can but hope she would choose me before accepting MacDougall.”
This brought a laugh from Edmund. “Unless she’s wholly taken leave of her senses.”
At that moment Claray appeared at the head of the stairs, sparing them both any further speculation.
“Masters, the Council members are gathered, breaking their fast as we speak. Yer presence is required in the hall.”
“Thank ye, Claray.”
They followed her down the stairs ready to confront the Council.
It was clear from the dour faces that greeted them that most, if not all, had thought carefully about the words Tòrr had left them with last evening. Some were frowning openly, their disapproval hanging in the air like smoke. No doubt, many were already aware of the intrusion into the castle the previous night by the gallowglasses.
Once they were all seated and the serving maids had cleared away the empty platters, leaving naught on the table but ewers of ale, Tòrr stood to address the assembly.
“I thank ye fer yer attention and fer the effort ye all have made in attending this meeting at short notice. The matter we have tae discuss today is, in short, whether we are prepared tae go tae war with Laird Alexander MacDougall, or nae.”
The men greeted Tòrr by a shifting in their seats and an ominous rumbling of comments.
One of the grey-hairs spoke up. “Ye speak with unwonted directness Laird Tòrr.”
Tòrr dipped his head. “I regret that I am nae able tae offer alternatives that might sweeten the matter. But the events of last night, when our castle was invaded by four of MacDougall’s paid henchmen, puts paid tae any suggestion there is aught else on the laird’s mind. The men went straight tae the Lady Lyra’s bedchamber. Their intention tae abduct her was clear.”
Another of the older men, a stout, powerful figure with scars to prove his history as a warrior, responded.
“How could such a thing have occurred? Were yer guard nae keeping watch? I believed this castle tae be impregnable.”
“Nay, cousin. Our guards were able tae keep track of who entered, and so it was that we were warned of the intruders’ presence in time tae deal wi’ them.”
