Page 7 of When A Laird Loves A Lady
“A man surrounded by skilledknights is the sign of astrong lord,” the baron countered.
Iain was about to refute the man’scomment but thought better of it. His time was best spent on the road home, notbeing drawn into an argument. He shrugged. “We’re simply nae in accordance.” Hewithdrew the scroll sealed by King Edward and held it out. “This is for ye.”
The baron took the scroll, studiedthe seal, and opened it with the tip of a dagger he had produced. When hefinished reading, he offered Iain a cold smile. “I’m afraid you’ve traveledhere in vain.”
“Ye mean to defy yer king, then?”Iain asked, cutting his eyes to Rory Mac, who gave him an almost unnoticeablenod that he was ready to fight if needed.
“Of course not,” de Lacy replied,his words smooth—too smooth. They sounded measured to Iain. He studied the manand noted his hands gripping his horse’s reins so tightly that de Lacy’sknuckles were white. The man was angry, very angry, and very good at hiding it.
Baron de Lacy offered a thin-lippedsmile. “I must admit King Edward’s decree does come as a surprise.”
Iain shrugged. “I’m afraid ye’llhave to take that matter up with yer king. But I strongly suggest ye produceyer daughter.”
Baron de Lacy’s mouth twistedwryly. “If you care to grab a torch and help search the sea for her body, I’llbe happy to let you take her back to Scotland with you.”
Iain stared at the baron for aminute before he responded. He was sure the man was telling him—without theslightest hint of sorrow—that his daughter had drowned, which explained theconfusion in the outer keep, the torches, the people who looked as if they weresearching for someone, and the woman’s tears of moments ago. What he didn’tknow was whether her death was an accident or not. If not, then whoever hadkilled Marion de Lacy was now his sworn enemy. In spite of the fact that he’dnever met her, she would have been his wife. The moment she had become hisfuture wife, she was his to keep safe. If she had been murdered,itmadeno difference if the person had not known she was Iain’s. Ignorance changednothing. He didn’t ever intend to fail to keep a woman that was his safe again.He didn’t care what Father Murdock kept telling him about Catriona’s death.Itmattered notthat he knew she’d been wracked with sickness allher life. His heart told him he should have been able to save her fromanything—including herself.
He flicked his gaze to the innerbailey where smoke still rose up in the distance, and another possibilitystruck him. Had a fire been set to distract the knights so the Sassenach couldbe captured and whisked away? He would keep the thought to himself for a time.“Are ye thinking she was murdered?”
“No,” the baron replied, his voice indifferent.“There’s no Englishman fool enough to cross me.”
Iain didn’t miss the way the barontapped the king’s scroll against his leg. The implication that there was oneunnamed fool was apparent.
“Marion couldn’t swim,” de Lacycontinued. “And the dim girl seems to have gotten too close to the sea cliffand fell over.” He drove a fist into the palm of his hand, then stilled,seeming to realize he was showing emotion. “Andrew there”—he pointed at aknight who hung his head in what appeared to be shame—“found her cloak, but hedidn’t manage to find her. Did you, Andrew?”
The knight slowly looked up, hisgaze settling on Iain. “I did not. I failed to keep her from all dangers.” Hisvoice was hoarse and full of sorrow, and made Iain wonder if there had beensomething between this knight and the baron’s daughter.
Not that it mattered a great dealif she was dead.
“What makes ye sure she drowned?”Iain asked.
“Her cloak was found tangled in thetree brambles by the cliff’s edge. She was always a foolish girl. And now shehas ruined—” He stopped and scrubbed a hand across his mouth. “Forgive me. I amsimplydistraught.”
The stiff words rang false. The manwas not upset at all. Iain felt sure de Lacy was angry that he no longer hadhis daughter to entice Froste to join him in overthrowing the king. Iain alsodidn’tdoubtthat de Lacy would secure Froste’s allegiance some other way. He could stilloffer to make Froste a baron, and if de Lacy became king, he could easily grantFroste land. There would still be war between the king of England and de Lacy.Iain was sure. What he didn’t know was what newrequirementsKing Edward would demand before he’d talk further of David’s release. Iain wascertain his sword arm, and those of his men, would still be needed.
Iain eyed the baron for a longmoment. The man sickened him. No loyalty meant no honor. And not loving yourown child meant the man had a black heart. “I’m sorry for yer loss,” Iainmanaged to choke out through the offense compelling him to tell the baron whathe thought of him.
“Yes, it’s a pity,” the mananswered with no trace of sadness. “Her marriage to William Froste would haveallied me with a great many knights. And of course,” he added, “her marriage toyou would have pleased my king, and I always aim to please Edward.” Sarcasmrang through each word.
The man’s callousness furtherkindled Iain’s ire. The woman was dead, the marriage off. It was time to headfor home. He’d been ordered by King Edward to send confirmation of the marriagethrough one of the king’s knights stationed with the Dominican Friars inNewcastle. Iain would abide by that plan, as he and David had talked of what todo if the marriage did not occur for some reason. David wished for Iain to goto Skye and speak with Gowan about securing funds to offer King Edward to cometo the table of negotiations.
“We’ll be going now,” Iain said,“since ye’ll nae need our help searching for yer daughter’s body.”
“Do stay. I’m sure as a beastlyScot you enjoy a good beating, and I have several to deliver,” the baron saidwith a smirk.
“I dunnae enjoy the discipline ofany man,” Iain replied through clenched teeth. Sometimes it was necessary butnever pleasurable.
Beside him, Rory Mac, who had surprisinglyheld his tongue thus far, made a derisive noise from deep in his throat,implying without words what he thought of de Lacy.
“That’s a shame,” de Lacy replied,flicking his gaze to Rory Mac and then back to Iain. “The first one will be agood one. The man is stout as a tree. I would guess it will take twenty licksto attain a response. The idiot set fire to my stables.”
Iain frowned. “Purposely?”
“He says not, but he’s the stablemaster. He should know to be careful. If you care to stay, I’ll even let youhave the first turn punishing him.” An odd smile pulled at de Lacy’s lips.
Iain knew plenty of leaders whoenjoyed punishing their men, but he wasn’t one of them. With a nod of farewellto the baron, Iain tapped his horse gently and motioned Rory Mac to follow.Once they were a good distance from the baron and his men, Rory Mac spoke.
“We’ll be going to war,” hegrumbled.
