“So, then it’s true?”
Lord Selkirk nodded, a smile lifting his lips. “Yes, and they have not disappointed me. In payment for their help, I have guaranteed them land in Assiniboia, with all the necessary implements to farm. If they are not happy there, I have promised to return them to Europe at no cost to them.”
Arran’s stomach turned sour at the thought of Assiniboia. He set the last of the cheese on the plate, unable to finish it. “I’m afraid I couldna hold the fort.”
“I heard.” Selkirk took a sip of his wine, his voice heavy. “I do not blame you, MacLean. It was a massacre. I’m appalled at what happened.”
“How did you learn we had been removed to Fort William?”
“I was able to free Miles Macdonell in Montreal and sent him ahead to Assiniboia with a few dozen voyageurs employed by the Hudson’s Bay Company. They left several weeks before I did, and when they reached Assiniboia, they heard what happened. Knowing you had been brought to Fort William, they immediately turned back and met up with me at Sault St. Marie. I tried, in vain, to get the help of two other magistrates, one from Drummond Island and the other from Sault St. Marie, hoping to have disinterested parties act on my behalf, but neither were able to leave their posts. With little choice, I had to come on my own. I redirected my course and have just arrived.”
“For which I’m grateful.” Arran could not deny God’s timing was perfection. Not only was Selkirk here, but he had an entire army with him. “How many soldiers are in your employ?”
“Nearly two hundred.”
It was even better than Arran had hoped. “And they will all reside in Assiniboia?”
“Yes, after we’ve cleared the trouble here at Fort William.” Selkirk set down his goblet and crossed his arms. “I thank God you came tonight. I had thought to send spies to survey the fort and make a map for us, but it would have taken days or even a week. With you by my side, it will be much easier to overtake our enemy.”
“We must not wait. We will need to enter before daybreak and before they’re aware that I left.”
“We will be outside the stockade by first light. I give you my word.”
“Thank you.” There were so many things that could still go wrong, but Arran would do whatever was necessary to help.
“But first,” Selkirk said, “you have not spoken of my wife’s cousin. How is Lady Eleanor? My wife received a letter from her dated July of 1815, just after they arrived at York Factory. We were very sorry to hear that Mrs. West had passed away—and then later that Reverend West died in the massacre.”
“Lady Eleanor is very well.” Arran couldn’t help but smile thinking about her. “Though, I have not seen her since my arrest two months ago. She—” He paused. “She was engaged to Reverend West at the time of his death.”
“Oh, I had no idea, though I am not surprised.”
“He had asked her to raise his daughter as her own, if something should happen to him.”
“What a momentous responsibility for an unmarried lady.”
“I pray to God she willna have to raise Miriam on her own.” Lord Selkirk could not be ignorant of Arran and Eleanor’s romance at St. Mary’s Isle. “She has agreed to become my wife.”
Selkirk smiled and nodded. “Congratulations.”
A heavy weight settled in Arran’s stomach. “I only pray she is well and patient as she awaits my return.”
“We will both pray for such a thing. Now.” Selkirk clapped his hands together and rubbed them in anticipation. “We must plan our strategy for overtaking Fort William. The hour grows late.”
Arran nodded. He was ready for redemption.
Chapter Twenty
The first blush of dawn hovered over the Kaministiquia River and Fort William in anticipation of a new day. Arran stood quietly on the wharf, awaiting the signal to advance, seeing the fort for what it was: a sleeping giant. Thankfully, it was not at full occupancy. If it had been, Selkirk and his two hundred soldiers would not have a chance to overtake the headquarters of the North West Company. Even now, it would take a miracle to do what Selkirk had in mind.
With his status as Justice of the Peace, he had come with arrest warrants for McGillivray, as well as eight other partners who were still at the fort. Once they were arrested, he fully intended to occupy Fort William.
“Constables?” Selkirk called to the two men he’d appointed to carry the warrants into the fort. Behind them stood nine armed guards, along with two hundred soldiers positioned along the riverbanks and around the fort at various gates. “When ye’re ready.”
The constables nodded and then walked toward the main gate leading into the fort. It was closed, as it often was overnight.
Arran stood beside Selkirk and his two commanding officers, Captain D’Orsonnens and Lieutenant Fauche. The small army was well-trained and impressive in their red coats and black shakos, swords and muskets at the ready. Arran himself had become armed once again. He carried a musket and wore a sword in a scabbard at his side.
“You say Mr. McGillivray resides in the main hall?” Captain D’Orsonnens asked.
