Together, they began sorting through the dusty bundles of parchment and thick leather-bound ledgers. Papers rustled as they worked steadily through the stack. The room filled with the dry scent of aged ink and parchment.
After an hour of searching, the steward paused suddenly. “Wait,” he said.
He pulled a folded sheet from the middle of one ledger and unfolded it slowly. Ian stepped beside him, his heart already pounding with unease.
However, in that moment, George the councilman entered with another council elder.
“Pray, pardon us, me Laird. We didnae ken that…”
“Nae, I am glad ye are here. We've discovered the marriage contract has pages missin', and we may have found it.” Ian replied.
“Is that so?” George said, stepping closer.
The parchment bore the same handwriting as the contract. And at the bottom of the page gleamed the missing stamped seals.
The steward swallowed hard. “It appears to be the final page.”
Ian took the document from him and began reading. At first the words seemed ordinary enough, listing terms of alliance and witness statements. But halfway down the page, his eyes caught a final clause.
He read it again slowly. Then a third time.
“If nay male heir is born within one year,” Ian murmured, reading aloud, “Clan McGuire gains rights to claim lands or wealth from Clan McDonald as part of the original debt agreement.”
The words echoed heavily in the quiet study.
Ian’s fingers suddenly went slack. The page slipped from his grasp and fluttered to the floor. For a moment, he simply stared at it in stunned silence.
Alastair bent quickly to retrieve the parchment, his own face pale. “Me Laird…” he said cautiously. “Did ye ken of this clause?”
Ian shook his head slowly. “Nay.”
The word came out rougher than he intended.
The steward studied the page again uneasily. “It bears the seal of Clan McDonald,” he said quietly. “And the signature appears to be that of Arianna’s uncle.”
George analyzed the document.
Ian dragged a hand down his face. The meaning of the clause settled heavily in his mind. If no male heir was born within a year, the McGuire clan could claim land or wealth from the McDonalds. It was a provision that turned their marriage into something far more political than he had ever believed. Worse still, the council likely knew.
Ian’s stomach tightened. His thoughts turned immediately to Arianna.
He pictured her standing in the great hall the night before, her voice trembling with hurt as she accused him of ignoring her. The memory made his chest ache with sudden understanding.
God help me… If she ever saw this clause…
Ian exhaled slowly, the weight of the discovery pressing heavily upon him. Arianna already believed he had withdrawn from her for lack of care. She likely thought he regretted touching her, or worse, that he had lost interest entirely.
But if she learned about this clause, the truth might appear far more sinister. She might believe he valued her only as a means to claim more land. The thought struck him like a blow.
Ian clenched his fists tightly at his sides. The very idea made his stomach churn with anger and shame. He had never desired her for political advantage, yet the contract now made it seem otherwise.
“Me Laird… what shall we do about this?” the steward asked quietly.
Ian stared at the parchment lying on the desk. For a long moment, he said nothing. Finally, he spoke in a low voice. “No one else learns of this until I've had time to think it over.”
George nodded immediately. “Aye, me Laird.”
Ian’s gaze hardened as he folded the page carefully back into the contract. The council might see opportunity in the clause, but he would not allow it to shape his marriage. Not like this.
