“And if something happens to ye? What are yer wishes concerning yer wife?” Cameron asked.
Rose snorted. “She can return to Grant. She’ll be of nay use to ye here.”
“And if something happens to Mary?” Cameron glanced at her, then locked his gaze on Rose.
Grant would take over, Mary thought, seeing a sudden gleam in Seona’s eyes. Cameron, Iain and Kenneth had been correct in their suppositions—Grant was up to no good.
Then she realized what Cameron’s words implied. So he’d told her father about what he believed were attempts on her life. Mary hoped her father had given some thought to Cameron’s revelations. An accident was one thing, but they could've been deliberate and her father needed to consider that.
“Then that foolish girl Catherine and her Brodie can take over.”
Cameron turned to Mary. “I must take Mary to Sutherland to meet my family.”
She nodded. Her father had as much as told Seona she had no chance of controlling Rose unless she produced a male heir, so he would be safe. Cameron turned back toher father and added, “I trust ye can honor yer alliance with Sutherland by doing without her for a few weeks.”
“A fortnight at most.” Her father turned to her and frowned. “If ye stay away longer, I’ll give Rose to Mary’s youngest sister.”
“A fortnight, then.” Cameron stood and bowed to Rose, then reached for Mary’s hand. “We’ll leave in the morning.”
“The burial…” Mary reminded them.
“Will take place at dawn,” her father agreed stiffly. “Without ceremony.” Seona frowned and Rose amended, “A simple prayer, then ye two may go on yer way.”
Chapter 21
Mary had enjoyed the week she and Cameron spent at Sutherland. The keep was even greater than Cameron had alluded to at supper—only weeks ago? So much had happened since then, it seemed forever.
Dunrobin was magnificent. She’d yet to see all of it, and wasn’t sure how much more she could in the days left to her during this visit. Mary wished they hadn’t agreed to her father’s demand that they keep their visit to a fortnight. Cameron’s brothers had yet to return and she hoped to meet them.
Tonight, Cameron and his father spent supper in the great hall planning the trip back to Rose. Yesterday, Sutherland’sghilliehad arrived to tell them Albany’s men were still in Aberdeen, not on the way to oust Domnhall from Ross lands. They could make the trip home without fear of crossing paths with either army.
A disturbance at the door caught her eye and her stomach sank when she realized the Sutherland seneschalled a Roseghilliethrough the crowded great hall toward the high table where they sat. “This canna be anything good,” she told Cameron as they stood to greet the man.
“Lady Mary, I’m sorry to bring ye such news. Laird Rose died suddenly early this morn.”
Mary’s vision hazed over and the platform tilted beneath her feet. She covered a sob with her hand while she fought for control.
Cameron put an arm around her and pulled her tight against his side. “Did his wife, Lady Rose, send ye?”
“Nay, the healer did. She said to tell ye it was the same illness that beset him before, only worse this time. He didna linger. She said Mary would wish to ken right away and to return quickly.”
Cameron traded a glance with his father.
They had discussed every possibility around the succession, but despite Rose’s illness, Mary had not expected to lose him so soon.
Cameron’s father signaled to the seneschal. “See that this man gets food and drink and a warm place to sleep. He’s traveled fast to get here so quickly.”
“Cameron, I’m now laird,” Mary gasped. “We are…”
“And we are outside the keep’s gate with a potential enemy on the inside. I ken this is a shock to ye, but we must get ye home to Rose. We must leave at once.”
“Ye canna go tonight,” his father said. “In the morning will be soon enough. Gather yer things tonight and leave at first light. Take abirlinnand some men. Ye’ll get back in a few hours over the firth. Even if the wind and tide are against ye, the men can row.”
“Surely…” Mary started to speak but Sutherland cut her off with a wave of his hand.
“We have discussed this,” Cameron interjected. “Ye must return and take charge of Rose as heir, or Grant will claim it through yer father’s young widow.”
“For the sake of yer people, ye dinna want that to happen,” Sutherland added, then met Cameron’s gaze. “They’ll be under Albany’s thumb by spring.”
