For a moment, she hesitated. Dinner with the Laird’s advisor was not what she had planned. But there was still a chance that Cameron was only running late. And even if he wasn’t, this was a chance for her to find out more about her betrothed and future can. So she sent Alastair a warm smile and moved to the chair.
Only once she was seated did he join her at the table. He signaled to the servants to begin the meal and again she was caught off guard. Cameron had always dismissed them as soon as the food was brought out. It had been at least a week since she had been served. The maids reaching over her shoulder unnerved her, despite it being the custom at her father’s castle.
Several minutes of silence passed as they both filled their plates and began eating. She knew the advisor was waiting for her to say something first and she was more than happy to oblige him. Whether that was for want of company other than Alec or because she had questions she wanted answered, she didn’t know. And she didn’t care as she swallowed some ale and cleared her throat.
“I thought Laird Cameron would be here tonight,” she said as casually as she could manage. “Is he away on business?”
“Nay,” Alastair answered with his head tilted. “He is feeling poorly tonight. Perhaps he caught whatever illness ye had.”
She took another bite, chewing the food as she chewed on his response. She hadn’t truly been sick and she was almost sure that was something Cameron and Alastair both knew. There was no way Cameron could have caught an illness that didn’t exist. Another thought hit her and the question was out of her mouth as soon as it did.
“Did he have another breathing attack? Is he all right?”
It was unmistakable the way Alastiar’s eyes narrowed at her question or the way he took his time answering her.
“I see the Laird has shared valuable information with ye. What do ye ken about his…attacks?”
“I dinnae think he meant to share it with me. I happened upon him in the library when he was in the middle of a fit. I thought he was going to die until he calmed down and explained them to me.”
“He explained them to ye?” he pressed.
“Aye.”
Charlotte met the old man’s steely gaze head on. He was going to have to try a lot harder if he wanted to pressure her for information. She didn’t know how much she was supposed to know or how much the advisor knew and she wasn’t about to betray Cameron’s trust. So she kept her mouth shut, filling it with another bit of food.
He must have gotten her message as he let the topic drop and turned his attention back to his own plate, though she knew she had piqued the man’s interest. She needed to do something to appease his fears and so she started another conversation.
“I must admit,” she said, pushing around the rest of the food on her plate with her fork, “I donnae ken much about the Knox clan. Only rumors and the perspective of my father. What can ye tell me about it?”
Taking her bait, Alastair finished his plate and held his mug in his hand, thoughtfully swirling the ale around.
“I have been a part of this clan since I was a wee lad. My father was part of the council of elders, in charge of advising the Laird. When he passed, I took his spot. As an advisor, there was much I was privy to that the rest of our clan did nae ken. Of the men that I served with, I am sad to say I am the only remaining member.”
‘There is no other council?” she questioned, her curiosity getting the better of her.
“Aye. Though, I am hoping that Cameron will soon change that.” He sighed heavily. “Ye must understand, the Knox clan history is muddled with blood. There is much that I cannae say I am proud of. There is much I regret. But I assure ye, with Cameron at the helm, this clan is set for a new start. We are all ready to put those dark years behind us and move into a time of peace and prosperity.”
