Page 160 of Claimed Highland Brides

He bowed to his grandfather. “We’ll be leaving the noo.”

“Vera weel, but remember that I offered ye fair compensation.”

Barclay tucked Aileen’s hand in his and walked out of the room without another word, flanked by his cousins. Euan stayed behind briefly, and they could hear him murmur.

They stopped outside, awaiting the arrival of their carriage, as well as for the solicitor to join them.

“What do you suppose he is saying to the chieftain?” Diego asked.

“Knowing Euan, he is ascertaining the buying price. He is not one to be encumbered by sentiment. If he feels the price is right, he will try to persuade me.”

“And will you take his advice?”

Barclay laughed. “No. There is no price that could ever be right. But the fact that he offered is good. It acknowledges that I am the rightful owner of the land. Perhaps that is why Euan stayed behind.”

Antonio nodded. “Yes, that is a good thought.”

“We mun’ go to the source. We mun’ negotiate wi’ Gilroy,” Aileen said.

“Aye,” Barclay said, “but he wilnae listen to reason.”

“We will go prepared for war.”

Barclay sighed. “I cannae ask ye⁠—”

“Ye havenae asked. I have offered.”

“Ye cannae do tha’. Ye’re no’ the laird of Braenaird.”

“Well then, let us go back there, and talk to the laird.”

Barclay considered it. “Are ye sure?”

“My father took ye in when ye were a wee bairn. He protected ye. We cannae do less.”

“‘Tis no’ yer problem.”

“I’m yer wife.”

The arrival of the carriage interrupted their conversation. Euan came walking down the stairs, his face thoughtful. Barclay waited until they were all in the carriage to ask what transpired.

“Yer grandsire has asked me to convince ye to take his money. He told me that Gilroy has taken possession of Inchcree and considers it to be his. His mother supports him in that endeavor. As ye ken, yer faither didnae get along wi’ his stepmother or her children.”

“He is destroying it. Gilroy is running Inchcree to the ground,” Barclay growled.

Euan sighed. “I am yer solicitor. I will carry oot yer wishes, whatever they may be.”

Barclay narrowed his eyes at the lawyer. “But ye would advise me to take the offer?”

“Nay, I wouldnae advise it. I do think ye should get an offer in writing.”

Barclay blinked at him. “And did ye do tha’?”

Euan dug into his pocket and removed a folded script. “I did indeed.”

Barclay smiled. “And so we have an acknowledgment that my claim is legitimate.”

“Aye.”

Aileen laughed, clapping her hands in delight. “I cannae believe he agreed to do tha’.”

“I expect he did not realize the implications right awa’. So eager was he to acquire the land.”

“His mind was elsewhere,” Barclay said thoughtfully, his brow furrowing worriedly. “Perhaps we should be worried aboot tha’. It isnae usual for him to be so remiss.”

“Ye dinnae ken tha’. Ye havenae seen him for eleven years.”

“Ye’re right. I havenae.”