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Chapter Twenty
Before they could continue in their conversation, John said to Archibald. “Brother, let us discuss for a moment or two about this afore we speak so freely in front of a strange Englishman come to call. ‘Twould nae be wise tae do so.”
Archibald grunted in agreement from his seat. He turned to Mortimer. “Ye will excuse us for a moment, Lord Darling? ‘Tis nae normal for a Scotsman tae trust an Englishman so fully.”
Mortimer stood and bowed low. “But, of course, gentlemen.” He left and shut the door.
Archibald said, “What is it, lad? What troubles ye?”
John tried to keep his voice calm. “Why are ye incriminating the MacLeans? We know who has done the deed!”
Archibald replied, “So, ye wish tae confess tae yer crimes afore the man? He seems keen tae know who ‘twas, and I dinnae wish for me own brother tae hang for it.”
“But I have already been cleared by the General at the Fort. It was ruled an accident, and it came out about Whiteman taking more taxes than he was owed. Perhaps this Lord Darling doesnae know about it yet.”
“Aye, it appears so.”
“So, then why do ye nae tell him? Why have ye thrown Angus under the way ye have? And ye sent a spy tae the Isle without my knowledge? Ye know Calum MacLean will nae take kindly tae that when he hears? We could have a battle on our hands.”
Archibald’s face grew red with frustration. “Brother, is that nae what we wanted? We want tae take the Isle for ourselves. We get the money from these bloody bastards, and then they can do what they like! The English will be beholden tae us, and we will make a fine profit. And we’ll have the protection from them if any battles come this way, as Lord Darling has mentioned. ‘Tis as if yer a different person now, John. What happened tae yer bloodthirsty desire for power? Ye’ve had a special vendetta against the MacLeans for years! Why are ye cowering now?”
John knew it sounded ridiculous, but he hoped that the MacLeans would prosper over the winter and that they wouldn’t have to take their land once springtime came. He had even begun to develop a sort of friendship with Liam after seeing him frequent the same whorehouse many a time. “They revealed tae us about Whiteman. They let us know that he was double-crossing us and taking money. They didnae have tae do that, ye know. They could have just let it go and dealt with Whiteman on their own.”
“And so ye’ve developed a heart for the clan?” Archibald looked incredulous. “Look, brother, our clan, has been built on the desire for power and control. This is the way of the future. The English are coming, and we can either die on the fields like dogs or make a profit. Which is it tae be?”
John hesitated and then grit his teeth. “Fine. Ye may tell him that story, but if the clan has prospered, then we cannae take the land. That was the original deal.” Archibald grumbled.
“Aye, but perhaps this English toff can help us in other ways tae get it. Come in, Lord Darling!” he said with a grin.
Mortimer opened the door and slid back into the room, a pleased grin on his face. “Yes, gentlemen? Are you ready for further discussion?”
Archibald laughed sharply. “Aye, we are ready. Now we have given ye the information that ye wanted. What can ye do for us?”
Mortimer smiled in that same slippery, eel-like way and folded his long fingers together on his lap. “I am so happy that you asked, Laird Campbell. Thank you for the information. Now, normally a King’s man would not need to resort to making deals with Highlanders, but in this case, it may be beneficial.”
John and Archibald waited for him to continue. “I would like to question this man myself and report what I learn to the King. It is very important to His Majesty that he learns what has truly happened to General Whiteman. But I see you are also interested in the land that Angus MacLean resides upon. What is the deal you made with them in the past?”
John said, “They simply had to show that they could make a profit once more or else the land would be ours. We could conquer them easily in battle if the whole island is in tatters as it has been for years. And, the clan's people would certainly run tae us if it gave them the chance tae fill their bellies. But, if they do succeed, as the spy has mentioned, then there is nae deal.”
“I see.” Mortimer tapped his fingers to his lips as he thought. “Well, would it help you to know that many of the villagers are ill? The current general’s daughter has sought to send them fresh fruits and vegetables in order to try to make them well again. I have put a stop to her doing that anymore, of course. So they will perhaps be more easily defeated than you expect.”
Archibald’s eyes grew wide. “Och, very interesting news. If many of the people are ill, then we do have a chance. And the laird is currently away on his wife’s business. We could take the land before he returned. He could do naething about it.”
John interjected, “And what if they are nae so easily defeated as ye imagine?”
Mortimer grinned. “Well, then I am certain that the laird would happily trade his land for the return of the laird’s brother, don’t you think?”
Archibald grinned, and John felt unease creep into his belly. “I do indeed,” Archibald responded, the sick tone of greed in his voice.
* * *
Charlotte had had a busy afternoon. She visited those who were sick in the village, and it lightened her heart to see them again. They had tried to consume as much as they could according to her instructions, and one or two of them appeared to be improving in just the matter of a day! She was encouraged that she was on the right path. She still wasn’t certain what the illness could be, but she was sure it had something to do with a missing nutrient.
As a wealthy woman, she had access to a variety of foods, but many of these people were too poor even for the basic essentials. She resolved that she would do her best to purchase seeds and bring back what she could to the Isle; if there was even a chance of her coming back. Then the people could subsist on their own and one day grow enough to sell. She knew that was always Angus’ plan, but he didn’t realize that he should be adding some of these other plants to the list of crops that needed to be sown soon.
She was happy for the busyness of the day, for it kept her mind from the gnawing uncertainty of her future. It was only when she gratefully sank into a heated bath in her old room that evening that the feelings all came back to her. She swirled a finger in the soapy water and thought about what she was like when she first arrived at Duart Castle.
She was forceful and brusque. She never listened to anyone, and she had quite the idea of her own importance. She knew that she was a beauty who would marry well, and she prided herself on her ability to charm men and to be a social queen. She also knew her own intelligence and felt threatened by anyone who attempted to take away her freedom to study.
