Stepping away from the group, he crossed his arms over his chest. He’d given instructions to direct non-urgent matters to Ewan while he was socializing with his guests. The look on the messenger’s face was enough to tell him that something serious had arisen.
Yet he’s just standin’ there, actin’ as if I’m the most frightenin’ thing in the Highlands.
“Well?” Darragh prompted again, poorly concealing his irritation at the delay.
The messenger cleared his throat, looking thoroughly scolded. “Me apologies for intrudin’, Me Laird,” he said, holding himself a little straighter and meeting Darragh’s eye. “I’ve come to inform ye that a letter was intercepted by our guards from a courier travelin’ between northern estates.”
Darragh grunted, his fingers curling into fists. He heard Lucas sitting forward behind him, and he felt Amelia’s eyes burning into the scene. He contemplated insisting that the rest of the message be heard in the corridor, but it was already too late for that. Everyone’s interest was piqued. Lucas would no doubt question him about it when he returned.
“Ewan has examined the letter,” the messenger said, taking Darragh’s silence as a cue to continue. “Laird Mackenzie seeks to acquire strategic grazing lands and timber rights across multiple territories. He intends to visit several lairds personally in the coming weeks to negotiate alliances and purchases.”
The last sentence barely registered in Darragh’s mind. At the name ‘Mackenzie,’ Amelia had sucked in a harsh breath. It took everything in him to keep from turning around to check on her.
She’s liable to lash out if anyone draws attention to her.
“I thought the Mackenzie line near collapsed after the trade disputes last winter,” Lucas said quietly, the first to process the information.
“Nay, Me Laird,” the messenger replied with a shake of his head. “We’ve been investigatin’ for most of the day. Laird Mackenzie is stronger than ever. He’s bought debt from three clans and turned a profit on all of it.”
“Which clans?” Darragh asked, needing every bit of information that he’d missed while playing the part of gracious host. His entire body sharpened, well-controlled rage kicking to life in his chest, the need to protect his people overriding all else.
“Smaller ones, Me Laird,” the messenger replied. “I will get ye the reports. But it seems as if Laird Mackenzie is findin’ ways to thrive.”
“And the letter?” Darragh pressed.
“Ach, aye,” he replied, pulling the envelope from his inner pocket. “I will ensure the rest of the information is left in yer study before I return to me post.”
“Thank ye for bringin’ this,” Darragh said, running his thumb over the dark green wax seal. “But ye willnae be ridin’ back at this hour.” He looked over his shoulder at the maid standing by. “Prepare a room and a meal for this man.”
“Aye, Me Laird,” she squeaked before walking up to the messenger. “If ye’ll follow me, sir.”
Darragh stood in place as the two left the room. It wasn’t until he was sure that they wouldn’t need anything else from him thathe opened the letter. As he read over it, he walked back to the group.
“Seems as though everythin’ he’s said is true,” Darragh confirmed, sliding the parchment across the low table between them.
As Lucas grabbed the missive, Amelia stood abruptly. She covered the movement by rubbing her palms against her upper arms, moving quickly toward the fire. Despite the fact that she had her back to them, Darragh had seen the way color drained from her face. He had felt just how desperate her movements were.
While Lucas read, Flora glancing over his shoulder, Darragh examined the crest in the wax. It was a stag, standing proud against the rich color of the broken seal. Its antlers brushed the top boundary of the circular etching. It was elegant and, more importantly, distinctive.
That must be what she saw that shook her.
He didn’t say anything, taking in the stiffness of Amelia’s body. She was prepared to run, almost as if she expected a threat to come bursting through the door at any moment. That was the posture not of curiosity but of recognition. Of fear.
“This is goin’ to change things significantly,” Lucas said, placing the letter on the table in front of him. “Dependin’ on who he enters agreements with, trade routes may change.”
“Aye,” Darragh agreed, taking his seat again. Even though he was shifting his focus to strategy, he was still attuned to Amelia and the way she seemed to be struggling to take full breaths. “That doesnae even take into consideration what will happen to lumber pricin’. It seems he’s tryin’ to rebuild the wealth that he lost when his trade agreements failed him. It wouldnae be surprisin’ if costs soar.”
“Ye’re right,” Lucas said, leaning forward and stroking his beard. “We may need to prepare for Clan Mackenzie to become more prominent.”
Amelia’s shoes slid slightly on the stone beneath her almost involuntarily. She attempted to cover it by marching in place for a few paces, but she wasn’t fooling him. As if he were attuned directly to her moods, he could almost feel her reaction to the name. His jaw tightened as he ignored his instincts demanding that he get her out of this room.
“Ye’re correct,” Darragh agreed, his eyes flitting to Amelia once more. She was still again, suppressing the emotions that were making her restless. “Ewan reported seein’ him ridin’ through the northern territories a few weeks ago. We’ve been watchin’ him since.”
Amelia turned slightly, an indication that she was listening to the conversation even as she stared into the fire. Something about the set of her shoulders told him that she understood the greater implications. She was no stranger to politics, especially not politics relating to Laird Mackenzie.
And she knew exactly what the wax crest meant.
“Ye’ll have to give me yer full report, so I can prepare me own people,” Lucas said, settling back against Flora, who seemed to be counting the woodgrain on the table beside her. “Best if me counsel is aware that Laird Mackenzie may come around. Perhaps we’ll be able to work out trade deals that will benefit us. We have time to strategize before he comes knockin’.”
