Jamie nodded and sheathed his weapon. “There is nothing yer sire could possibly say that would make me believe he desired peace with the MacKays.”
“I dinna sayallMacKays, Laird Jamie. Only ye.”
Helen started to say something, but Jamie silenced her with a wave of his hand.
“Did the earl send Laird Munroe here?”
“Not directly.”
“Doona speak in riddles.”
“He made a fair wager with the laird.”
Jamie’s brows arched. “A wager?”
“If Laird Munroe returned to Dunrobin Castle with my sister unharmed, then my sire would have blessed their union. From the day Helen disappeared, my father knew where she had gone. Lady Keely was highly favored by my family.”
“Especially by yer lowly, bastard brother, Struan.”
Collin chuckled. “He was young and overly ambitious. Ye would find him a changed man if ye met him today.”
“A dog on a leash can appear docile, until it is freed.”
“Aye. But I wouldna lie.”
“And what did the earl stand to gain if Laird Munroe failed?”
“This…” Collin produced a scroll from under his tunic. “Read the contract. As for the second missive, it is for Helen.”
Kuresh retrieved the parchment and gave it to Jamie. Helen watched as he unrolled the documents, reading every word slowly.
“This isna a contract about a wager!” Jamie said, gazing at Collin.
“Nay, but it is the betrothal contract my sire approved between Helen and Munroe.”
“The contract was never legitimate, for yer sister never signed it.”
Collin chuckled. “What woman ever signs her marriage contract? Even the queen wasna afforded such a privilege.”
Jamie snorted. “The law is meant to protect the people.”
“When it doesna inconvenience the nobility, as ye will soon learn as a laird.”
“How does this have anything to do with me and yer sister, my beloved wife?”
“Ye asked what the earl stood to gain from his wager. The same thing he had to gain if Munroe married Helen and died an untimely death.”
Jamie looked at the contract again. “Ships!”
“Aye,manyships. My father never intended for Laird Munroe to keep Helen—he wanted him dead. And by sending him to the McKays, the earl knew he would die.”
“Ye used us and endangered yer own sister to gain ships?”
“My father is a wealthy man because he takes chances, Laird MacKay. Helen is unharmed, and she is yer wife. Because the earl is a fair man, he asked me to give ye this.” Collin tossed a leather bag to Jamie.
Jamie caught it and dumped the contents out on the high table. “Gold.”
“A small fortune,” Collin said. “In truth, I followed Laird Munroe here in case ye failed to kill him. My men are only a few miles away. I’ve been waiting for ye to wake up for two days. The missive meant for my sister contains a secret blessing for her marriage to ye. Although the earl canna openly acknowledge yer union because Helen disobeyed him, there is a chance at reconciliation someday. Until then, this gold is meant as her dowry. Additionally, her belongings have been packed and will be delivered soon.”
