Before she left, he kissed her lips. “This is only the beginning.”
*
Jamie returned tothe great hall alone. Only the men were left, half of them passed out on the benches or sprawled on the floor. He stepped over numerous bodies and made it to the high table where Alex sat with Mathe and Petro.
Jamie scowled at Mathe. They still hadna made peace with each other. “Alex?” He bowed.
“Cousin,” Alex slurred. “Come. Sit with us. Mathe, move down a chair, give Jamie his rightful place.”
Jamie knew it was wrong to hold a grudge against his kinsman, but Mathe had rubbed him raw over the last year with his incessant complaints. And even after Alex ordered him to move, he dinna budge from his spot.
“Mathe?” Alex said.
“Why do ye give him the honor of being yer right hand when he has ambitions to form his own branch of the MacKay clan?”
It took a long moment for the old man’s words to sink in. But then Jamie reached across the table and grabbed a fistful of Mathe’s shirt. He yanked him halfway over the table before Alex slammed his fist down.
“Let him go, Jamie.”
Anger filled every empty space inside Jamie’s soul. Where had Mathe gotten his information? From Crannog? Kuresh? Or one of his loose-lipped maids? “He deserves a beating, Alex.”
“Maybe.”
“He speaks without proof.”
“Does he?” Alex eyed Jamie. “Is there any truth in what he says?”
Jamie stared at Mathe with a newly formed hatred, then dropped him. Mathe sputtered and lifted himself off the table, straightening his ruined tunic as he slid down three chairs.
“Answer my question, Jamie.”
“There’s been talk, nothing more.”
“Sit,” Alex commanded.
Jamie had no right to deny his laird. He did as he was told, walking around the table and sitting beside his cousin in shame.
“I am not blind, Jamie.”
“I know.”
“Nor am I an unreasonable man.”
“I know.”
“Tell him, Petro,” Alex addressed his secretary.
“Laird Alex,” Petro said. “You are tired, and I am sure Lady Keely would like to spend some time with you tonight.”
“Always the peacemaker.” Alex waved his friend off. “Jamie… speak plainly with me.”
“Tis not the time or place for this conversation, Alex.”
“I am laird here!” Alex rarely shouted, but when he did, people ran for cover. “I will decide where and when we speak. Betrayal is a serious allegation.”
Is that what his cousin really thought, that he’d betray him? It broke Jamie’s heart to think so. “I am not a criminal nor a betrayer of any kind. I would die for ye, Alex.”
“Would ye?”
