“Maybe not,” the earl said. “But I will have an answer. Did ye murder yer wives?”
“My second wife took her own life. She couldna bear living with me or my nephew. As for my third wife…”
“Aye?”
“She committed adultery with one of my soldiers. I starved her to death—well within my rights as a laird and husband.”
“And her lover?”
“Boiled alive.”
The earl tried to digest everything Baran had told him. Aye, the earl had killed and ordered the executions of many men is his lifetime, but to starve a woman, his own wife, and to boil a man alive, well, it dinna sit well with him.
“The MacKays are yer enemies.”
“We have never been allies. But there’s been relative peace between us these last few years.”
“And will ye let yer daughter make a fool of ye, a mockery of yer clan?”
“Helen is a level-headed young woman. And until I read her missive, I never realized how intelligent and self-preserving she really was, or how much she loved me.”
“What are ye saying? Ye have no right to cancel the betrothal.”
The Earl of Sutherland chuckled. “I am a fair man, Laird Munroe. How many men escorted ye here?”
“Thirty.”
“Do ye care to make a wager?” The earl enjoyed games of risk, especially if he dinna have to get his hands dirty.
“What do ye have in mind?”
“If ye can bring Helen back to Dunrobin Castle, I will bless yer union. But she must remain unharmed.”
“And what do ye gain if I fail?”
“Yer ships.”
Chapter Twenty-One
Taking afternoon walkswith Master Jamie had become routine for Helen. She found herself looking forward to their time together more and more. They spoke of many things: family and faith, how the Highlands were changing, and what futures they wanted. She undoubtedly loved him, if love for a man set yer stomach aflutter, gave ye sleepless nights, and made ye lose yer appetite. All of these she suffered gladly, for it was a small price to pay for the continuous smile on her face and the joy in her heart.
“Tis almost time to meet Master Jamie in the bailey,” Miran said, securing Helen’s cloak around her shoulders.
“Aye,” she said, “I wouldna miss it for anything.”
“Ye are happier, milady, settled.”
“I am slowly learning to enjoy this newly found freedom, to believe it might last. I thought my father would have sent his men, or at least one of my brothers, here by now. I can only hope my missive touched his heart and he has chosen to give me some time.”
“I am sure it helps that Lady Keely lived with ye for all those years. Perhaps yer father knows ye are safe here.”
Helen tied the laces on her cloak and slipped her feet into the boots Miran set on the floor in front of her. “Aye. The earl liked Keely verra much. In fact, he often complimented her wit and suggested I learn from her.”
Miran smiled. “Lady Keely is a strong woman.”
“And the best of friends.”
They left the bedchamber and went belowstairs, walked outside, finding Jamie and Kuresh waiting.
