Page 22 of Seduction in the Highlands

Chapter Eleven

John sat in his study, writing down a few things he wanted to remember from his meeting with Angus and Liam the previous day. They were planning on working together to create grazing land since Mull’s land was limited, and therefore, so were its profits. TheMacLeans could sell their wares and continue hunting on the mainland, but it would not be enough if they planned to prosper as they had many years before.

John had jumped at the chance to help his new friends, and once he was returned to his study and settled inside, he thought about why that could be. Before, he and his brother Archibald had been all about control and advancement. That’s why they were happy to join with the English against other Scottish, especially weaker Scottish clans, for the English meant progress. He and Archibald wanted that for the Campbells since the old ways of Scotland were soon dying out, and they were determined not to die out with it.

But an English general had deceived him and had even stolen money from him and many other clans! When the truth had come out, Angus, Calum, and the other MacLeans had shown their mettle when they’d helped him figure out the truth. He wanted to align with them forever for their loyalty. It was no trouble. Once he’d gotten to know them better, he found that he rather liked them, and he liked having friends. He did not want to betray them, and yet he knew that his clan would fight against his decision to align so fully with the MacLeans after his previous plans to overtake them and sell the land to the English. Hopefully, he could assuage his clan’s doubts and resistance with this new plan.

Once he’d scribbled down the last of his notes, he placed down his pencil and thought of Elizabeth. He couldn’t help but not think of her. It had been a pleasure to see her twice in one day, so beautifully blushing and innocent in her speech and manners. All the women of his former acquaintance, including his lover Leyla, had been rough and unmannered, while Elizabeth was the epitome of grace and distinction.

He would need a wife of distinction if he made something of his clan without his brother. But it wasn’t totally about that. It most certainly was not. He could tell in the way his heart raced when he saw her, and sweat covered his palms. He had a sneaking feeling that he would fall in love with the woman, but he didn’t really know how she felt about him. Was she partial to him? By her mannerisms, he could detect only a slight interest, but perhaps that was the way of genteel ladies. They did not need to wear their interest so openly, not like the other women he had known and loved in his time.

Unfortunately, the memory of Liam’s resistance to him taking Elizabeth for a walk on the shoreline still nagged at him. Why had Liam been so cold to him, and why did he try to prevent John and Elizabeth from being alone together? Even the previous evening, when he and Liam were discussing business, there was a slight distance between them, but at least it was not as obvious as before. He seemed satisfied with something, and John wasn’t sure what. He remembered how Liam had spoken to Elizabeth in the Great Hall, and it irked him even more. What a philandering, flirtatious man he was!

Certainly, Elizabeth will be able to see through that.Or so he hoped.

“Laird!” Finlay had entered the room so abruptly that John needed a moment to ready himself and return to the present. He had plans to teach the men not to be so abrupt or rough in their manners, but his brother had been a bit of a wastrel and had no need or desire for proper governance. All of his attempts over the past years as second-in-command had not worked.

“Aye, Finlay, what is it?” He hoped a scowl would be enough to show his disappointment and frustration.

“The shepherd has told me he found a new shepherd boy tae assist him, as ye suggested.”

“He is from our clan land, correct?”

“Aye, aye. Marshall’s young lad.”

“Good.” At least something was getting done. At least he could feel resolution in some manner while the rest of him was tortured by thoughts of a pair of blue eyes and alabaster skin.

“Finlay, I will tell ye of my business yesterday.”

Finlay sat down. John said, “I spoke tae the MacLeans. We will combine grazing lands and shepherds and farmers since they have nae much land of their own. If they remove all of their grazing areas, they can use their own space for crops.”

He could sense frustration from his friend, even if the man said nothing.

“What is it, lad? Speak up.” John spoke with confidence, but he wasn’t sure he wanted to hear the answer from his new second-in-command.

“Is it wise, laird, tae be so aligned with the MacLeans? They are weak, and the Campbells are strong. Do we really need tae assist them when we could be working tae advance ourselves? I know that is what yer brother would have wanted.” Finlay ended his question with a shrug of his shoulders as if his words had not struck John strongly with memories of a bullet plunging into his older brother’s flesh.

John paused. It was a fair enough question, and yet, he couldn’t help but let emotions get in the way. He knew that his old self, so calculating and precise, would have disapproved greatly, but now, there was no way of getting around them. He cared for the MacLeans, and he cared for the connection to the Darling family even more.

“Aye, I understand yer words. But remember how we were betrayed by the very people who we had hoped would advance us? I owe the MacLeans my loyalty, for they showed it tae me when it didnae benefit them as a whole. Besides, we are benefitting from this relationship, lad. They will pay us a small fee as well as a portion of their crop yield for adding their sheep and other grazing animals tae ours.”

Finlay rubbed his chin but then nodded. “Aye, I suppose that is good. And what of the English? Will there be nae more deals with them, then? That General was nae a good man. Perhaps the new one installed at Fort William will have more ideas for money-making.”

John felt frustrated at the Finlay’s constant thoughts of money. Was it all about gold and progress? John was not understanding, although he should have been, for he understood that thought process very well, and it was what had guided him to Duart in the first place, to take advantage of Calum and Angus when they were at their weakest financially.

Now that Mull was prospering and only moving upwards, he felt a little satisfaction that he had been part of bringing it about. He wanted it to continue. In his heart of hearts, he realized that above advancement, he cared about the future of his friends. “I think we will keep our minds on this current business for now. I am apprehensive tae speak tae the English about any new matters such as yet.” He saw Finlay’s forlorn expression.

Why was the man so adamant about money?

John continued. “But I do know General Andrews, so I will speak tae him when next we meet.”

Finlay’s expression brightened. At least for the moment, my clan could be saved.He frowned a little, worried that he was attempting to do what was right for everyone and thus would spread himself too thin. For now, he felt it necessary to ease Finlay’s worries, as he wanted to make himself appear a good and proper replacement for his brother. He did not want to worry the people of Clan Campbell unless they meant to remove him from his space as laird.

Finlay stood. “’ Tis a good plan, laird. Ye will see. I am off tae see tae the new shepherd boy and tae return tae the training grounds.”

John nodded. In his current lack of focus, he had forgotten about the training of the men. With other clans and the English so close at hand, and ever-present battles on their hand, he needed his men to stay healthy, fit, and trained with their bows and swords. He had even begun training with muskets when they could get their hands on them. Unfortunately, he had forgotten to train himself, and so lately, he had felt his muscles beginning to get just the littlest bit slack.

He stood abruptly. “And I shall join ye, lad.”

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