Page 60 of Betrothed to the Crimson Laird
Alex nodded, though he still didn’t look particularly convinced.
“I dinnae imagine the other servants will make it all that easy on her, if she does decide tae remain,” Bryan commented. “Perhaps she’d be better off starting over elsewhere.”
“That shall be her decision to make, then,” Isla retorted firmly.
Bryan said no more about it. Even though her time at Castle Oliphant had been relatively short, he had come to recognize when Isla had made up her mind about something.
“And what of the MacGregors?” Kirk inquired. “Still no word from their laird, then?”
“Nay,” Alex answered. “Romilly has nay given up information easily, but from what we’ve been able tae ascertain so far from questioning her, she was acting with her father’s full blessing. He was unaware of her specific plot, but hehadcharged her with the task of destabilizing us and setting us against the MacDonells. Now that she is gone, and we have kept her incarceration a secret… well, he cannae exactly march over here and demand her release, now can he? Not without betraying his knowledge of what she was up tae.”
“That willnae be true for long,” Bryan observed. “Eventually, he’ll have tae make some move tae get his daughter back. Besides, we cannae be wholly certain that it remains a secret we’ve got her here. I hesitate tae point it out, but if we dinnae know of Moira’s true loyalties before, or Lachlan’s…”
“...then there is every chance that we may have other spies working within the castle,” Alex finished for him. “A grave notion indeed. Now that we know outside parties are working against us, is there anything we might do tae flush them out?”
The captain of the guard stroked his chin thoughtfully. “Possibly. There are a number of approaches tae explore, as I see it.”
Alex gestured for him to continue.
“I can try tae extract more information from Romilly,” he began warily. “Again, ‘tis not yielded many results yet… largely because you have urged restraint in my methods of interrogation. I, er, assume ye’ll nae change your stance in that regard?”
The laird shook his head. “I find her tae be the lowest and most despicable thing that’s ever crawled upon our lands, but… nay, I cannae bring myself tae order her tortured. Though I’ve little objection tae her rotting in the dungeons for the rest of her miserable bloody life.”
Bryan shook his head. “As comforting a thought as that may be, I’m nay certain that’s a viable solution either. The time may come when returning her tae her father may be the best way tae prevent all-out war.”
“And in the interim, we may yet have uses for her,” Kirk said. “Left in solitude long enough, a maniacal shrew such as her may become tempted tae talk, tae drop hints… which could give us insight into whether there are more spies among us. ‘Tis unlikely, aye, but nae impossible.”
Alex pushed his plate aside and steepled his fingers in front of him pensively. “So, that’s one of the approaches you suggest. What’s another?”
Bryan continued delicately. “As I said, we may have tae resort tae freeing her in exchange for peace. Then again, ‘tis entirely possible that even that will nae be enough when the time comes. We require more leverage tae use against the MacGregors. That may mean going on the offensive, Alex. Not on the battlefield, but by more subtle means.”
“Dispatch spies of our own, you mean?” Isla asked uneasily.
“Nae spies, my lady,” the captain replied, “but kidnappers. The laird of the MacGregor Clan has another daughter, a younger one. Perhaps I might utilize my considerable stealth,and find some way tae make off with her. When it comes tae ransom, two captives are better than one.”
“‘Twould be risky indeed.” Alex stood and began to pace the room. “To be caught in the attempt…”
Bryan shrugged. “We are united with the MacDonells now, Laird Alex. MacGregor would lose in open combat, and he knows it well.”
“He’d still capture you if he found you at it,” Alex retorted, “and then I will have lost my greatest tactician, and at my time of greatest need. Is there nay one else you might send in your place?”
“None who could hope tae succeed,” the captain told him. “They’re good men and great fighters, but when it comes tae staying in the shadows, the majority of them leave a lot tae be desired. Nay, it must be me.”
“I do not like this plan one bit,” Isla spoke up. “Do we know for certain that this other daughter is involved with her family’s schemes against us? What if she is simply an innocent girl? Tae drag her into all of this…”
“If it turns out that she is innocent, then she will be treated well enough as our guest until we are able tae negotiate for peace. We’re nay monsters, after all! So long as she’s snatched and transported back here without violence, what could possibly go wrong?”
Isla had a sinking feeling that they would find out soon enough.
