Page 60 of The Return of the Heir

Chapter Nineteen

Angry shouts grew louder as Alastair, Graeme, and a company of guards from the castle entered the great hall. It was time for Alastair to put his diplomacy skills to the test. He did not want to go to war, but he would if the MacDonalds left him no other choice.

His men filled the chamber, lining the walls, each armed with a sword and a pistol. The bellowing in the chamber ceased as the angry lairds took in the show of arms.

“What is the meaning of this, MacLeod?” Alexander MacDonald drew his own sword.

Paying no heed to the tense situation, Laird Lamont rushed Alastair. The older man’s face was flushed red, his eyes were bloodshot, and rings of worry bracketed his mouth. “Where is Beatrice? What have you done to her?”

Did the man truly have no idea of the scheme she had played a role in? “Beatrice left the castle last night of her own free will and made her way to the seat of the MacDonalds.”

Laird Lamont lurched back. “Why would she do that? Something must have happened.”

“I broke off our engagement when I learned our betrothal was orchestrated by the MacDonalds in order for Beatrice to spy on me for them.”

Beatrice’s father froze. “That’s a lie.”

Alastair lifted his gaze to the two men gathered behind Lamont—Lairds MacDonald and MacQueen.

Laird MacDonald’s lips thinned. “That accusation is entirely false.”

“It is the truth,” Alastair said. “Garrick MacDonald admitted everything to me last night.”

Alexander MacDonald remained silent, gazing at Alastair with no expression.

“But Garrick and Beatrice were not the ones who came up with this game that has been playing out in my life for the past five years.” Alastair tapped a finger to his temple. “Neither Garrick nor Beatrice are devious enough to carry out such an elaborate plan. And Garrick hardly had the means to sustain himself in secret within the walls of Dunvegan for five years. He had help from his clan, and from someone else within this castle. Someone we all trusted.”

After a quick glance at Graeme, Alastair turned to face one of his own castle guards. Emery Howden flinched beneath Alastair’s accusing gaze. In the next heartbeat he bolted for the door, but Graeme stepped forward and with a well-placed punch to Emery’s gut, succeeded in not only stopping his escape, but disarming him as well. The pistol and sword went flying. Two guards nearby retrieved the weapons while two others moved in to grab his arms.

“Let me go. You don’t understand. They threatened to hurt my ma and pa. My little sister and brother. I had no choice.”

To four of his guards, Alastair said, “Go to Howden’s home. Bring his family here under our protection. I’ll not have the MacDonalds take their revenge out on Emery’s family now.” The guards nodded, then left the chamber.

Alastair had suspected Emery had been manipulated to help the MacDonalds. He would most likely let the young man off with a warning if he cooperated, but at this moment, Alastair needed the fear of possible confinement in the dungeon to get Emery to divulge the rest of the details Alastair and Graeme had yet to figure out. “You brought food to Garrick? To the Harris children?”

Emery shook his head. “Once a month I was paid to bring supplies to Garrick MacDonald only. It was his task to feed the others. And I had to make certain the sea gate was unlocked every evening after sunset so that Garrick could come and go as he needed.”

“What about any strange supplies. Were you ever asked to bring Garrick anything like that?”

Emery nodded. “The first items were a woman’s dress, and some blood from a lamb. The strangest thing by far was a large sheet of glass.”

Two memories came to mind: the blood smeared on Gwendolyn’s wedding gown, and the glass used to throw Gwendolyn’s image. “Do you know who paid you every month for the past five years?”

Emery cast a quick glance at Alexander MacDonald before looking away. “Laird MacDonald himself.”

Alastair shifted his gaze to the man who had just been accused of orchestrating the entire plan to kidnap Gwendolyn and sustaining the efforts to keep her imprisoned. “Why would you do something so cruel to an innocent girl and her family?”

“I did nothing.”

“Aye, Garrick did it for you. He informed me of all the reasons why he hates my clan last night.”

MacDonald’s eyes narrowed. “Aye. The night you attacked my clan.”

Alastair gestured about the chamber. “I have sixty guards who will attest to the fact there was no engagement. Your men retreated when they realised they were at a disadvantage.”

“Is that true?” Laird Nicolson asked.

Laird MacKinnon frowned. “Laird MacDonald led us to believe there had been a massacre, led by you.”