Page 136 of The Laird's Masked Passion

“I ken what ye meant.”

Colin rose.

“He wishes us tae blame one another. He wishes fear tae make strangers of people who share the same walls. And ye have offered him that victory without requiring him tae lift another blade.”

Color left the older man’s face.

“Nay one in this hall will blame Lady Elspeth fer Robert Munro’s crimes,” Colin echoed. “Nay one will speak of sending her away as though she is cargo that has become inconvenient.”

His gaze swept the tables.

“She is Lady MacKenzie. She belongs here.”

The declaration left him before caution could alter it. Elspeth looked up. Emotion crossed her face swiftly in a mixture of surprise, hurt, and something warmer she tried to conceal by lifting her chin.

Colin sat before he gave the hall more than it had already taken. Conversation resumed badly. Niall waited until servants brought the next course, then leaned nearer.

“That sounded little like a man defending an alliance.”

Colin did not look at him. “Eat.”

“It sounded more like a husband defending his heart.”

“Careful.”

Niall reached for bread. “Iambeing careful. That is why I’m whispering.”

Colin’s hand tightened around his knife. Across the table, Elspeth spoke quietly with Margaret, though her eyes found him once. She did not smile. The look was more dangerous than that.

It was about half an hour later that the women withdrew after dinner. Margaret asked Elspeth to show her the western tower, claiming she wished to admire the view. Domhnall watched them leave.

“She wishes tae discuss us without witnesses,” he said wisely.

Niall poured more wine. “A sensible precaution. We should flee.”

Instead, they went to the council chamber. Maps covered the long table. Small stones marked the northern passage, the village, and the road where the attackers’ tracks had vanished. Colin stood at the head with Niall, Domhnall, Breac, and Murdoch gathered around him.

“The wounded guard remembers near fifteen men,” Breac spoke. “There may have been more above the ridge.”

“They came prepared tae kill the watch and leave,” Murdoch added. “Nae tae enter the lands.”

“A test,” Niall said. “Robert wanted tae ken how quickly ye would answer.”

“Or how easily the route could be opened,” Domhnall replied.

Colin studied the map. “He has men watching our patrols. Perhaps inside the villages.”

Murdoch’s mouth hardened. “Then we question every stranger.”

“And frighten every merchant away?” Breac asked. “By winter, hunger will finish what Robert began.”

The argument continued around him, focusing on patrol numbers, supply roads, the risk of moving families, and whether to strike Robert’s lands before more proof arrived.

Colin listened. He measured. He rejected three suggestions and changed two others. Then a knock sounded and a guard entered carrying a sealed letter.

“From the Crown, me laird.”

Colin recognized the royal mark.