An irritated growl tore from his chest as he shook his head and even went so far as to slap himself on both cheeks to snap out of it. “Come on, man. Ye have work to do!”
He shook his head again and trudged his way back to the castle, to the council chamber, where he found the day’s mail waiting. He was not surprised to find that Major Ashcombe had written to him.
He opened the letter, his eyes darting over the elaborate script.
Laird McGill,
I am writing to confirm the arrival of my daughter in Scotland and that the wedding has taken place successfully. As we have both gone to considerable lengths to bring it about, I trust that you ensured protocol has been observed. I do not need to remind you what is at stake.
Please apprise me of developments as soon as possible.
Regards,
Major Ashcombe
Kayden folded the letter once. Then again. He did not tear it, though the thought crossed his mind. He did not linger in the council chamber.
He did not speak of the letter to the men in the hall, nor to Moira when she passed him on the stairs. Instead, he tucked it inside his coat and went in search of Jacob.
He found his cousin near the outer yard, overseeing the unloading of grain. Jacob caught sight of him at once and dismissed the men with a flick of his wrist.
They walked side by side along the stone wall that overlooked the lower fields that Kayden had walked earlier that morning. They walked far enough away from the castle so that no one could overhear them.
Kayden stopped first. He did not look at Jacob when he spoke.
“He has written.”
Jacob exhaled through his nose. “I thought as much.”
Kayden handed him the letter without comment. Jacob read it quickly, his face tightening with each line. When he finished, he did not immediately give it back.
“So,” he said carefully, “he wants confirmation. In ink. And witnesses.”
“He wants assurance,” Kayden huffed, “that the bargain stands.”
Jacob glanced up. “And does it nae?”
Kayden took the letter back and folded it with deliberate care. “It does. It is done.”
Jacob studied him. “Ye daenae sound pleased.”
“I am nae displeased,” Kayden said. “There is a difference.”
They resumed walking. For a time, only the sound of their boots on gravel filled the space between them.
“He gains much,” Jacob said eventually. “A daughter settled. A Highland alliance. Fewer questions asked by his superiors.”
“And I gain time,” Kayden rumbled. “And fewer redcoats on me borders.”
Jacob nodded. “At the cost of?—”
Kayden’s lips thinned. “Appearances.”
Jacob slowed down, then stopped altogether. “That is nae the same thing, Cousin.”
Kayden turned to him, his gaze sharp. “It is the only thing that matters to men like him.”
“And to ye?”
