Could she do that? How could she reconcile the man she’d come to care for as the loyal captain of a man she could not abide?
“So that’s it. You forgive him just like that?”
“No.” He hesitated, looking as if he wanted to say something. “It’s not that simple. When the time comes, my cousin will make amends.”
“How? Will he clear your name and publicly absolve you of complicity with his treachery in the death of the MacGregor?”
A wry smile curved Jamie’s mouth and he shook his head. “No one would believe him if he did.”
The discussion with Caitrina had gone better than he’d expected. Jamie had been tempted to confess his bargain with his cousin, but in doing so, he would have to tell her the rumors about her brother and he still wasn’t sure he wanted to do that.
She’d been upset by the news of the MacGregor’s death but not shocked, which made him wonder whether she’d already heard about it. He would soon find out.
Jamie made his way down the stairs and across the great hall to the laird’s solar, knowing his men were waiting for him.
What he would really like was a hot bath and food, but both would have to wait—as would a proper reunion with his wife.
His body hardened at the memory of their passionate kiss and how good it had felt to hold her in his arms again. Too good.
If he hadn’t been in such a sorry state, he might have showed her exactly how much he’d missed her—not that his rough appearance had seemed to bother her any. His mouth curved. His wee princess apparently had a wild streak.
Princess.Odd that the old nickname had come back to him. He wondered why. Frowning, he realized it wasn’t because she’d purchased the new gowns as she’d promised. His injury and subsequent orders to keep her confined to the castle had prevented that, but now that he was back he would see it rectified right away.
Nay, it was something else. A subtle difference that he couldn’t quite put his finger on.
He recalled her sudden appearance and how his relief at seeing her had turned to suspicion. He could have sworn he’d smelled the wind in her hair and felt the chill of the cold on her ruddy cheeks. And then there was the fresh mud he’d noticed on her skirts. He was almost positive that she’d come from outside and not the kitchens. But she’d seemed sincere in her explanation. Perhaps he’d been mistaken.
Her passion and happiness to see him had certainly been genuine.
That was the difference:She seemed happy.The shadow of grief that had followed her since the death of her family had lifted. Though he would like to take credit for the transformation, he couldn’t help but wonder if there was another reason.
He opened the door to the solar and strode in, seeing Will, the captain of his guardsmen, and a handful of his other men who’d stayed behind waiting for him.
They stood as he entered. “My laird,” Will said, coming forward. “ ’Tis good to see your safe return.”
Jamie motioned for the men to sit and took his place at the head of the table. “You received my missive?” He had sent word of the MacGregor’s death with instructions for his men to increase their vigilance—but to make no mention to the Lamonts.
Will nodded. “Yes, my laird. We’ve increased our scouting around the area, but there has been no sign of anything unusual or of any outlaws.”
“And has word of the MacGregor’s death spread?”
The guardsman shook his head. “Not from what we can tell, though the Lamonts have not been eager to take us in their confidence. Conversation tends to come to a sudden stop when we draw near.”
Hardly surprising, given the tensions between the clans. Still, though communication was poor on the Western Isles and it could take many days for news to travel to Edinburgh, Jamie was surprised that word of the MacGregor’s death had yet to reach them.
“Have you noticed any signs of unease or discord?”
“No more than usual.”
The discussion turned to the status of the repairs on Ascog before returning to the Lamonts.
“You’ve kept a close eye on Seamus and his men?” Jamie asked.
“Aye,” Will replied. “He’s been remarkably quiet.”
Jamie frowned, not liking the sound of that. Snakes were most dangerous when you couldn’t hear them.
“He spends most of his day at Ascog, working on the roof,” Will continued. “Including taking over much of the tree felling for himself.”
