Page 69 of In the Highlander's Bed

He tightened his hold on the reins. “It wants to be free of this quest for justice. But the best I can hope for is compromise. I can’t bring my father back…and even if those who lost homes had their possessions returned to them, they are scarred.”

“People rebuild,” she answered.

“But can they forgive? Is it wrong that I love you so much that I long for a life free of this, that I want a home we build together? What of justice? Am I not called to protect those who can’t protect themselves?”

“Sometimes, Gordon, there is no right answer. My father could never even look at a Shawnee without remembering what happened to my mother.”

“And what sort of man was he?” Gordon asked, knowing the answer.

“Angry. Sad…” She paused. “Lonely. There could never be peace for him, and he didn’t care that he had three daughters who loved him.”

“I don’t want to be that angry man.” And yet, it was too late to turn back.

“Then what are we to do?” she whispered.

“What we must,” he answered, the words hard to speak.

“Please God save us,” she said.

Yes, God save them.

Gordon dropped the reins to the ground, a signal for Tempest to stand. He walked up to meet Colster.

“Lachlan,” the duke said in greeting.

“Your Grace.” Gordon couldn’t keep the irony from his voice. If Colster heard it, he gave no reaction. He truly had become ducal.

His expression stony, Colster said, “I’ve brought the sword, but I have one condition before I agree to give it to you.”

Gordon’s guard went up. “You are in no position to ask for conditions.”Perhaps hecouldkeep Constance with him.

“I am,” Colster contradicted him. “I wish to talk to your men. They have a right to hear what I have to say.” The duke had raised his voice so it carried to all corners of the field.

Shaking his head, Gordon said, “Come now, Tavis. What trick do you play?”

“No trick,” Colster answered. “An opportunity to speak in exchange for the sword. My brother doesn’t want you to have it. He tells me that handing it over to you could be considered treasonous since we know you will use it against the Crown. I’m asking for a few moments. Nothing more. I have an offer tomake, something each of your men will want to know.”

“And what is the offer?”

Colster gave him a grim smile. “You’ll hear it when I talk to my clansmen.”

“You are not a part of us any longer,” Gordon said.

The duke’s gaze narrowed. “Would you stop me?” he challenged, and began walking toward the Scots. He stopped when he reached Constance’s side.

Gordon stood by the sword, almost afraid to leave it. This weapon had become his holy grail, and he knew he must be alert to some sort of trickery.

Thomas and the others had placed their hands on the hilt of their pistols and swords.

Lord Phillip, Alex Haddon, and Colster’s men moved to do the same. They didn’t appear any more pleased with Colster’s actions than Gordon was. Constance’s sisters watched with worried silence.

The duke raised his voice, addressing the Scots and saying, “You believe the Sword of the MacKenna will take you to victory. You’re wrong. There is no victory in civil war, and that’s what you’d be doing. I know a good number of you men. I lived amongst you. I’ve heard yourstories. I can’t give back your homes, but I can offer something else. I have land in England. I have enough to deed to each of my clansmen—those who followed Laird MacKenna in his ill-advised rebellion—a parcel. You can use this land to rebuild your lives, to let your children grow healthy and strong.”

The duke pointed to the sword in the ground. “There is the Sword of the MacKenna. Those who wish to pledge their allegiance to it may do so. Those who want something more for their children, come to me. My man is waiting at the Stag, an inn in Fort William. Use my name and he’ll see to your needs. As for Miss Constance Cameron…” He turned to Gordon. “I want her back. You have the sword. I receive the girl. Those were your terms. She’s not a part of this.”

Gordon was too stunned by Colster’s offer to reply immediately. He was offering peace, a gift so generous and rare, it forced Gordon to reevaluate everything he thought he’d wanted.

His father had been a man of peace, and Gordon realized he’d taken that memory and subverted it through his pursuit of rebellion. In a blinding moment of insight, he realized how deeply his love for Constance had changed him.