“Aye, I’m certain.” Elliot leaned against the desk, his expression grim. “Three different scouts confirmed it. William camped out there, drunk more often than nae, rantin’ to anyone who’ll listen about how ye stole his birthright.”
“His birthright.” Noah’s jaw clenched. “I’m the eldest. The lairdship was never his to begin with.”
“Aye, well, logic hasnae ever been William’s strong suit.” Elliot crossed his arms. “He’s also been spreadin’ rumors about ye. Sayin’ ye’re unfit to lead, that ye drove him away, that ye’re...” he hesitated.
“What?”
“That ye’re keepin’ his daughter prisoner. That he wants her back, but ye willnae allow it.”
Noah’s hands flattened on the desk, his knuckles going white. “He abandoned her. Left her on me doorstep. Now he wants her back?”
“I daenae think he actually does. I think he’s just tryin’ to stir up trouble, make ye look bad.” Elliot’s voice was careful. “Most people arenae listenin’ to him. They ken what happened two years ago. But there are always those who’ll listen to a discontented man with grievances, real or imagined.”
“How many?”
“Nae enough to be a real threat. Yet.” Elliot straightened. “Do ye want me to bring him in? We could lock him up, keep him from causin’ more problems.”
Every instinct Noah had screamed yes. Bring William in, make him answer for what he’d done to Esther, make him pay for every bruise, every moment of fear, every tear his daughter had shed. But…
“Nay,” Noah said finally. “Keep watchin’ him, but daenae bring him in. Nae yet.”
“Why nae?”
“Because if William comes here, Esther will ken about it. She’ll see him or hear about him, or sense somethin’ is wrong.” Noah’s voice was rough. “And I willnae, I cannae,subject her to that.Nae when she’s just startin’ to feel safe. Nae when she’s finally beginnin’ to heal.”
Elliot studied him for a long moment. “Yer heart’s gettin’ soft, Noah.”
“Me heart kens what’s right. William abandoned his daughter. He lost any claim to her the moment he rode away.” Noah straightened, rolling up the map with sharp, angry movements. “If he wants to drink himself to death on the edge of me territory while spreadin’ lies, let him. As long as he stays away from the castle, away from Esther, he can rot out there for all I care.”
“And if he doesnae stay away?”
“Then I’ll deal with him.” Noah’s voice carried the weight of absolute certainty. “Permanently.”
Elliot nodded slowly. “I’ll keep the scouts on him. Make sure we ken if he moves.”
“Good. And Elliot? Nay one should tell Esther about this. Or Ava. I daenae want either of them worried.”
“Ava’s goin’ to figure it out eventually. The lass is sharp.”
“Aye, probably. But I’ll tell her meself when the time is right. Nae before.” Noah moved to the window, staring out at the darkening sky. “Is there anythin’ else?”
“Just one thing.” Elliot’s tone shifted. “The entire castle is takin’ bets on when ye’re goin’ to do somethin’ about Miss Harris.”
Noah went very still. “What do ye mean?”
“Ye ken what I mean.”
“It’s nothin’ that concerns any of ye.”
“So ye admit it.”
“I admit she’s…” Noah stopped.
Started again. “She’s under me roof. She’s Esther’s minder. And aye, I’m aware of her. In the way a man is aware of a woman who…” He made a short, frustrated gesture. “It’s desire. That’s all it is. It isnae what the castle seems to think it is.”
Elliot studied him for a long moment, the amusement gone. “Aye,” he said finally, something careful in his voice. “If ye say so.”
“I do say so. Now get out.”
