“So you admit to killing Lieutenant Donaldson?”
“I’ve already said as much.”
“And the others?”
It occurred to Iain what was happening here. Rutherford was going to pin the other deaths on him. It made sense now. If Rutherford could find the killer, he would gain favor with his superiors and put at ease a contingent of soldiers who were increasingly fearful of patrolling the countryside. Most likely, Rutherford would receive a promotion. And Iain would conveniently die.
The plan was brilliant, and Iain was only angry that he hadn’t thought of it sooner. “I did not kill the other English soldiers,” he said.
“I’m curious why you admit to killing one but not the others.”
“There is nothing to admit to because I did not kill the others. I killed Donaldson because he attacked and beat Cait Campbell.” Iain was fighting a dizzying desperation the likes of which he’d never experienced. He was fighting for his life, well aware that it was futile. Rutherford had him hanging before Iain even walked into the room.
“If I may, sir.” Palmer stepped forward, and Rutherford turned an icy stare to him. “I saw Cait Campbell’s injuries myself, and Lord Campbell’s story matches the evidence I saw.”
“And you’re an expert on matching evidence?”
“Well, no, but—”
“Then I suggest you be quiet before you further implicate yourself. I’m already concerned that you were taking orders from a Scotsman.”
Palmer flushed but pressed forward, impressing Iain with his willingness to hang himself alongside the Scotsman. “Colonel Rutherford, I brought Iain Campbell here because he admitted to killing Lieutenant Donaldson. I find it outrageous that you are trying to implicate me in these other far-fetched schemes you feel me capable of, and I am certain that Iain Campbell did not kill those other soldiers.”
Rutherford tilted his head and stared Palmer down. “I find you insubordinate, Captain Palmer. We will discuss your punishment later.”
“This is absurd,” Iain said. “You are intent on finding me guilty of something I had nothing to do with.” He leaned forward. “I killed Donaldson but not the others.”
Iain and Rutherford stared at each other for long moments. Iain’s fear had deserted him, and he was left with anger at this man who was deciding his fate on nonexistent evidence and a need to convict Iain in order to grab for more power.
“I find you guilty of the murder of Lieutenant Donaldson,” Rutherford said. “The punishment is death by hanging.”
Iain reared back and Palmer yelled, “What the bloody hell?”
Rutherford turned his attention to Palmer. “Do you disagree with me, Captain?”
Palmer must have detected the warning note in Rutherford’s tone and he backed down. “No, sir.”
“You will be hanged in the morning, Campbell.” He dismissed them by sitting down and picking up some papers.
“Is there an appeal process?” Iain asked, his voice strangled. He couldn’t believe that this was it, that he’d been convicted on the word of one English lieutenant.
“No,” Rutherford said. “I am in charge here while Cumberland is gone. What I say goes.”
“That hardly seems like proper procedure,” Iain said, trying to calm his racing heart.
Rutherford looked up at him. “And you are well versed in the proper procedure of a military hearing?”
“I am versed enough in English law—”
“But not in military law.”
“I’m a Scottish citizen, not an English soldier.”
Rutherford tilted his head. “Tell me, Lord Kerr, are you a Scottish citizen or an English citizen? Just a moment ago you tried to convince me you were more English than Scottish.” He leaned back and steepled his fingers. “It seems to me that your loyalties lay whichever way the wind blows for you. I’ve heard that about you Campbells. Always swaying to whatever side will benefit you the most.”
Iain’s jaw tightened, and only good sense kept him from lunging across the desk at Rutherford. “I am a Scottish citizen, but my grandmother was English, and I hold an English title as well as a Scottish title. Hanging a person of English nobility will not win you any allies, Colonel Rutherford.”
Rutherford raised his brows. “Are you threatening me, Lord Campbell?” He turned to Palmer. “Did you hear him threaten me, Captain Palmer?”
