He returned the embrace, putting all of the emotions and thoughts that he couldn't voice into the contact. Against her ear, he mumbled, "Ye willnae be here for long. Once they investigate, the truth will be clear and ye'll get yer freedom back."
"I know," she replied, her arms tightening. "And… the money. Callum's been keeping it in a chest. I don't know if the room was his chambers or another that he has access to, but it's in the same wing as the meeting room. The second to last door on the left."
Hugh nearly crushed her as a way to give his thanks. Then, he released her, taking in the feminine curves of her face. She stared up at him with her trusting, green eyes. Gently, he tucked a strand of her brown hair out of her face with his callused fingers.
"I will instruct Emelia to keep ye fed and comfortable," he said. "Even if it means that she'll need to be accompanied by another servant to monitor yer interactions. This willnae be miserable for ye. I willnae allow it to be."
"Thank you, Hugh," she said, tears collecting in the corners of her eyes as the reality of the situation set in. "I love you."
"I love ye, too," he murmured, his voice fierce. "We will bring the truth to light. And it will be because of yer help."
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
As soon as Anna was safely locked away in her chambers, Hugh pushed past their escort. He intended to carry out this investigation immediately. To do that, he needed Aaron to accompany him. The two of them may not see eye to eye on most matters, but Hugh trusted that the man would not ignore obvious evidence. And he trusted Eilidh and Marcus to keep her safe. There was no doubt in his mind that they'd picked up on what was going on.
Ach, if I had more time, I'd brief them on everythin'. For now, I have to follow this thread.
He burst through the meeting room's doors, his eyes finding Aaron. The man was in a tense conversation with an older member of the council, his father. They cut off their whispered conversation to turn toward him.
"Laird McDonald," Aaron said, stepping away from the other man. "I trust the Lady is comfortable?"
"Aye," Hugh confirmed. "I believe there's somethin' the two of us should look into together."
"If it's about the investigation, the rest of the council is workin' on it," Aaron said, almost dismissively. "It's best if ye arenae involved."
"Anna has given me information about the whereabouts of the money," Hugh replied. "It's imperative that we go now before Callum or anyone he may be workin' with has time to move it."
That seemed to push Aaron into action. He steeled himself, his eyes hardening. As he took a step forward he said, "I suppose if what ye say is true, ye're correct in assumin' we should go now. Where did she tell ye it was hidden?"
Instead of speaking, Hugh turned and left the room. As he'd assumed he would, Aaron hurried after him, his boots falling heavily on the floor as he moved. The gravity of the situation, of what they were going to find, settled heavily over the two of them.
When they reached the door, Hugh wasn't surprised to spot Callum's servant rushing toward them. He paused mid-step when he realized where Hugh and Aaron were going. Slowly, he lowered his foot to the floor and began to turn around.
"Nay," Hugh barked, realizing that the servant was an accomplice. "Ye will accompany us. Perhaps ye will have an explanation for what we find."
"I believe…" the servant started to say, trailing off when he realized arguing was pointless.
He fell into their group, fidgeting as he stood. When Hugh tried the door, it was locked. Aaron stared pointedly at the servant, who obediently fished the key from within his inner pocket.
The chest that Anna had told Hugh about sat proudly in front of him. There was no attempt to hide it. Either Callum was an idiot, or more likely, he'd become so confident in siphoning money from the clan that he didn't expect anyone to come looking.
"That," Hugh said, gesturing at the chest, "is what we're lookin' for."
"I'm assumin' ye have the key to this as well," Aaron said to the servant. "Go ahead and open it for us."
The servant moved forward, producing another key. His hands shook as he inserted it into the lock. Then, when he pulled the top open, Aaron sucked in a breath.
Hugh stepped closer, examining the contents. There were bags overflowing with gold coins. Several looked overstuffed, as though Callum had been stealing money for years.
He has been. All the discrepancies I've found, the money that the castle cannae account for… It's all here becausehetook it.
"I believe this is enough evidence to confront him," Hugh said. He locked eyes with the servant and said, "Ye will carry this for us. I ken ye can. Surely, Callum sent ye to move it, did he nay?"
"Aye," the servant muttered, hanging his head in shame as he closed the chest and picked it up with significant strain.
"Callum's bein' held in his chambers," Aaron said, already marching out of the room. Anger rolled off of him in waves, and Hugh was left wondering what lies Callum fed him.
Hugh pulled ahead, leaving Aaron to accompany the servant. When he reached Callum's quarters, he sent the servant guarding the door away. Then, he pounded against the wood.
