He chose a volume about disputed eastern borders and opened it across his knee.
“The first marker was placed incorrectly,” he told John. “A mistake that cost three villages grazing rights for twenty-two years.”
John kicked beneath the blanket.
“Aye. A sensible objection.”
Connor continued in the same voice he used with the council. By the second page, John had lost interest in territorial claims and begun chewing on the ever-present blue cloth.
Moira entered, carrying fresh milk. She stopped behind the chair and listened until Connor reached a passage concerning river access.
“Lady Moore would change her voice for the exciting parts,” she said.
Connor kept his attention on the page. “There are no exciting parts.”
Moira shrugged. “That may be the trouble.” She bent to adjust John against his chest, then moved the book lower. “He couldnae see it.”
“He cannae read.”
“He likes the shapes.”
Connor moved the volume so that John could reach toward the page without tearing it.
John struck the parchment with his palm, made a satisfied sound, and closed his eyes. Connor continued to read until the baby slept.
The library had sounded different when Violet filled it with foolish travel accounts and arguments addressed to an infant. Connor had thought her voice an interruption back then. Now, every pause between the pages reminded him it was gone.
The sound of hoofbeats entered the courtyard before dusk. Connor was in his study when Alex arrived, travel-stained and hollow-eyed. Mud had dried on his boots, and his coat bore the creases of several nights spent sleeping wherever the road allowed.
“Well?” Connor prompted.
Alex stood before the desk, his usual humor absent. “Henry Tolford willnae reach Scotland again.”
Connor set down his quill and told him to elaborate.
Alex had found the Viscount Tolford and placed sworn statements before him from the guards who had witnessed Henry’s attempt to kidnap John. Alex had also discovered a letter among Lachlan’s travel papers bearing Henry’s seal and instructions that matched Lachlan’s confession.
“The Viscount kent about all of it,” Alex said. “He didnae defend his son.”
“What did he do?”
“Disowned him before witnesses. Cut off his allowance and turned the letter over to the local magistrate.”
Henry was confined under guard while charges for conspiracy and attempted abduction were brought forth. Two Moore men remained nearby to report any effort to purchase his freedom. Lord Tolford had also signed a statement renouncing any claim to John.
“He offered money for the bairn’s maintenance,” Alex added.
“Put it in John’s name.”
“I thought ye might say that.”
Connor leaned back. Henry had wanted money, freedom, and the prestige of his family name. English law had placed all three beyond him.
Alex’s attention moved toward the closed study door.“When is Lady Moore returning?”
“She isnae,” Connor responded, surprised by how quickly the answer came.
Alex waited.
