Page 99 of Desire of a Highlander

Faye’s eyebrows rose. “And how will ye manage that?”

Elodie smiled faintly then shrugged. “The same way I handle difficult stakeholders back home. I’ll ask him what he actually wants. And then we’ll negotiate.”

Without another word she turned and began walking towards the bridge.

“Elodie?” Faye called after her.

“Stop Ronan from coming after me,” she said over her shoulder. “I’ll be back before you know it.”

She reached the bridge and hesitated for only a moment before setting her feet on the rough stone. Quickly, before she could think better of it, she walked across, the sound of the river rushing along beneath her.

At the far end one of the Campbell guards immediately lowered his musket. “Halt.”

Elodie raised her chin, forced herself to meet his gaze, and ignore the gun pointing at her chest. “I’d like to speak with the earl.”

The man laughed. “Oh would ye now?”

“I’m unarmed and all I want is to talk.”

Another guard approached. “What does she want?”

“Says she wants to speak to the earl.”

The second guard studied her. “Who are ye?”

“My name is Elodie MacNeil. I have information for him. About his brother.”

The second guard’s eyes narrowed. Her heart began to pound. What if they refused her? Then her scheme would be over before it began.

“I have a proposal for him,” she added. “One that might deliver some rebels into his hands. I’m sure he’ll want to hear what I have to say.”

Still the guards studied her. Then one of them grunted. “Wait here.”

Several long minutes passed. Elodie glanced back and saw the people of the Steading had realized she’d left. They were clustered around the far end of the bridge, watching her. She could see Ronan at their head, both Faye and Eamon standing in front of him, trying to keep him from following her.

Don’t come over here, she prayed silently. Trust me to do what I must.

Finally, the guard returned. “His lordship will see ye.”

Elodie nodded, letting out a long, slow breath and followed the guard as he turned and led her further into the camp. She passed between rows of tents until she reached a large canvas pavilion. A tall man stood outside. He was broad-shouldered and dark-haired, with a scattering of silver at the temples. He looked older than Ronan by perhaps ten years and shared the same penetrating blue eyes.

“So.” His voice was calm. “Ye are one of my brother’s people?”

“I’m Elodie,” she said. “Thank you for agreeing to speak to me.”

She eyed him. So this was Bryce Campbell, the famed Earl of Newborough? She wasn’t sure what she’d expected. A mustache-twirling villain perhaps? What she found was a tired-looking man who seemed like he carried the weight of the world on his shoulders.

He sighed, rubbing his eye with one finger. “What can I do for ye, Elodie? I’ve already heard my brother’s platitudes. I have no stomach for more.”

Elodie nodded. “I know. Which is why I’ve not come to give you more of them. I’ve come to find out what you want.”

Bryce blinked. “What I want?”

“Yes. Tell me what brought you here. What do you want out of all this?”

He gave a short laugh. “That’s an unusual way to begin a negotiation.”

She crossed her arms. “So?”