“And Earl Sutherland was only too happy to oblige.”
“I was made welcome from the moment his men discovered me.”
“Alex has mentioned the earl’s youngest son, a bastard, I believe.”
“Struan.”
“You spent time with him?”
“Aye.”
“Did he ever make demands of you?”
Keely dinna understand. “Demands?”
“Did he show ye affection? Ask you to marry him?”
“Twas mentioned on occasion. Not only by Struan, but the earl, too. An impossibility, for at the time, I believed myself married to Laird John. Why do ye ask?”
Petro reached inside his tunic and produced a missive with a broken wax seal. Keely immediately recognized the Sutherland crest and her heart plummeted.
“I am able to act on Laird Alex’s behalf concerning all forms of business. I intercepted this missive yesterday. It is from the earl, expressing his displeasure of your marriage to Alex. He claims you for his youngest son.”
“I-I…” she stumbled on her words, rendered speechless by the news.
“Worry not,” he assured her. “Your marriage to Alex is binding. But convincing the earl will be another matter altogether. From what I hear of the man, he’s prideful and does not like to lose.”
“No Highlander likes to lose, Petro.”
“What about you, Keely. Have you lost anything by marrying Alexander?”
She considered her new friend, then shook her head. “If I were honest, I would say I’ve gained more than I lost. I know Alex doesna love me yet, Petro. But it is worth the effort to win back his heart.”
“You are very wrong, Lady Keely.”
“He used to love me.”
“Aye. And still does.”
She’d reserve judgment for a future time. “What of the earl?”
“He wishes to see you.”
“And Alex?”
“The request is to see you alone.”
“Why? I am a married woman, and Alex willna let me leave.”
“I suspect he requires the same as your sire– explanation for why you left so suddenly. I will make the necessary arrangements.”
His offer filled her with a determination to set things right. “Ye’d risk everything to do this?”
“If it gives Alex and you a chance at peace? Aye.”
“Thank ye.”
He patted her hand. “Do not thank me yet. If we are caught, Alex will never forgive me. But I would spare him this added burden when there is already so much for him to do.”
