“I have delivered the news to Laird Alex already,” Petro said. “Now he awaits your opinion on what to do with the lady and Duncan Munroe.”
Jamie gripped the scholar’s forearm in thanks, then turned his attention to Alex.
“What kept ye?” Alex asked as Jamie claimed the seat next to his cousin.
“Lady Helen was enjoying her walk.”
“She is comfortable here?”
“Aye,” Jamie assured him. “Afraid of the unknown, as any woman should be. Her father is unpredictable and likely to start trouble with us.”
“Trouble we doona need or deserve,” Mathe complained.
Jamie rolled his eyes at the eldest member of the council. Though he respected the man greatly, for he’d proven his value with sound advice and could swing his sword better than most men half his age, Mathe grumbled endlessly like an old woman if he dinna like something.
“Would ye send Lady Helen back to her father, then?” Jamie demanded.
“I would act in the best interest of this clan.”
“At the cost of making us look like cowards?” Jamie bit his tongue, realizing he’d spoken to harshly, too accusingly.
“We are nay match for the Sutherlands.” Mathe crossed his arms and glowered at Jamie.
“Yer doubt leaves me wondering if ye support this clan wholeheartedly, Mathe. As for ye, Jamie, the word coward shouldna be in yer heart or mind. We doona match them in number,” Alex said. “But we are resourceful, willing to take more risks than the sated earl. He has grown lazy, letting other men speak for him while he gorges himself with meat and wine.”
“And ye will do the same in yer old age,” Mathe added. “Ye fight now for our future, but once ye accomplish everything ye set out to do…”
Alex interrupted his advisor with deep-bellied laughter. “Ye have an overactive imagination, old friend. I will never neglect my clan or place the burden of my duties on another man’s shoulders.”
“Aye,” the other council members said in unison.
“The day will come,” Mathe held strong to his opinion.
“God has blessed me with a healthy son. The day I grow too weak to represent this clan, is the day I will place John on this chair.”
“Why are we arguing about this,” Jamie asked. “Havena we gathered to discuss the fate of Lady Helen Sutherland?”
“Aye,” Alex said. “What say ye, Jamie?”
“After spending time with her, and once Petro confirmed that she dinna sign thetocharher sire forced her into, I believe she fears for her life if married to Laird Munroe. The rumors concerning the demise of his former wives, all young and strong, concerns me. I humbly ask this council to rule in favor of granting Lady Helen sanctuary for as long as she wishes to stay.” Jamie leaned back in his chair, stretched his legs out, and waited to see what his fellow members would say.
Though Helen had escaped on her own, the earl of Sutherland could still accuse the MacKays of kidnapping—possibly finding favor with the crown and causing formal charges to be raised against Laird Alex.
If only Helen Sutherland was Helen of the Highlands, the woman Jamie wanted to kiss—to get to know.
“I understand the obligation ye feel to the lady,” Keith MacKay said sympathetically to Alex. “Lady Keely fled our keep and sought refuge with the Sutherlands seven years ago. From what I’ve been told, twas Helen who convinced her father to be charitable to yer wife.”
“Aye,” Alex said.
“And what kind of men would we be if we turned the helpless woman away in her time of need?” Keith asked, gazing at each of the council members. “However, let us not repeat history—the kind of history that hurt our clan. A missive must be sent to the earl.”
“For what purpose?” Jamie asked.
Keith’s bushy eyebrows shot up in surprise. “Of all the men sitting at this table, I am surprised I need to remind ye, Jamie.”
“Laird Oliphant,” Jamie said, releasing a frustrated breath.
“Aye. For five long years the man agonized over Lady Keely—unsure if she was alive or dead. Nay matter what kind of man the earl is, he’s still her sire. Tis our responsibility to inform him of her safety.”
