Page 71 of Taken By the Savage Highlander

For now, she told herself, she just had to survive and find a way to outsmart her father. It would be difficult, but he had said it himself. She was a smart girl.

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

“Any men that are well and willin’, join me in the courtyard,” Lachlan announced, his voice loud and booming.

All the guests that had retired early were surely awake now.

For his part, Cameron was preparing his own horse, the mare he had insisted pull their carriage when arrangements were being made. She huffed, stomping her hooves against the stones that covered the courtyard. The animal seemed to sense his urgency, and she was more than eager to rise to the occasion.

“We’ll be leavin’ soon,” he said, patting her neck twice; the action was meant more to ground himself than calm the animal.

She snorted, bobbing her head twice. When Cameron withdrew his hand and walked toward his cousin, she did not seem bothered. Instead, her focus was on the gates, knowing already where they would be heading.

“I’m nae lettin’ ye go after them on yer own,” Hugh said when Cameron stopped in front of him and Lachlan. “Margo will be home before the moon sets.”

“Gavin is organizin’ the horses, pullin’ forth the beasts that are prepared for a chase,” Lachlan reported, crossing his arms over his chest. He watched as the volunteers gathered, assessing their skills and how they would work together as a team. “We willnae have anyone stopped because their horse doesnae ken how to behave durin’ combat.”

Cameron grunted, glancing at where his Council had gathered. They were uneasy, he could tell. The Clan stood to lose their security. He did not think they were wrong to worry about it. Margo was worth more gold than there ever was in the whole Highlands. If he did acquiesce, he would be signing away his claim to all the money and land that made up Margo’s dowry. He had gleaned enough from the wording of the contract to know that was its purpose.

“Is that one of Abbott’s men?” Hugh asked, his stance hardening as he prepared for battle. His gaze never left the gates.

“Aye,” Cameron said when he saw the solicitor riding into the courtyard as if he were there on a friendly visit. Margo’s capture seemed to have emboldened the man. “He isnae a threat. I daenae think he even kens how to hold a blade.”

Nicolas dismounted a short distance away, reaching within his coat to pull free a packet of documents, no doubt the backup that Cameron had claimed. As he sauntered over to Cameron, the members of his Council moved forward as well. When they had all converged, Nicolas cleared his throat.

“I believe that there is time for a meeting now, would you not say so?”

Before anyone else could react, Cameron spoke. “Aye. I suppose ye will get yer meetin’ now.” He looked at his cousin, his gaze weary. “Would ye allow us to yer counsil chambers?”

Lachlan hesitated, looking as if he were going to argue on Cameron’s behalf. He thought better of it, seeming to realize that this was not his fight to command, and said, “Aye. Follow me.”

The walk to the chambers felt more like a walk to the gallows. No one spoke, but there was a quiet understanding about the grave seriousness of the situation. They carried the fate of both Cameron’s people and Margo’s upon their shoulders.

“Lord Abbott is firm in his conditions,” Nicolas said when everyone but Cameron was seated. “His concern for the territory of his future grandson overrules any amendments that you may propose.”

“I daenae have any proposed amendments,” Cameron said, his hands curling into fists at his sides.

His Council objected immediately, their voices a cacophony of dissent. Cameron knew that for the good of his clan he should have objected. His people needed the assets. They could feed their clan twice over with the land outlined in the new documents. Yet, fighting it head-on would only bring needless danger to his people.

“Laird MacLeod, we urge you to consider what ye’re sayin’,” one of the elders said, his voice rising above the drone. “Signin’ that contract, signin’ away the rights to Lady MacLeod’s dowry, that would spit in the face of all of the work that ye’ve done to rebuild the Clan after yer father ran it into the ground.”

“I ken,” Cameron said quietly, holding out his hand demanding the quill. Nicolas pulled one, along with a bottle of ink, from his front pocket. He passed both to Cameron before turning back to spread the documents on the table in front of him. “But I can rebuild a clan. I cannae lose her.”

A hush fell over the room as Cameron stepped forward. Quietly, he read through the pages again, each sentence further confirming that this contract would do exactly as his Council thought it would. In terms of land and money, the MacLeods would be coming away from the deal with less than when they began.

I cannae expect them to understand yet.

As he dipped the quill into the well, Gavin cleared his throat. When Cameron met his eye, a brief, wordless communication took place. He saw the moment his plan registered in Gavin’s mind, but waited for his man-at-arms to nod before he signed the contract, the tip of the quill scratching against the parchment.

When he finished, he slammed the quill onto the table, letting his palm cover it for a long moment. Then, he turned away, walking back toward his horrified Council. He said nothing as Nicolas checked everything over and packed the documents away.

“Lord Abbott appreciates your cooperation,” Nicolas quipped, tucking the packet within his jacket once more. “I will take these to him immediately, and he will maintain his side of the deal once he has received them.”

“Just leave,” Cameron growled, each second the man stood there another one that Margo was alone with her father. “Ye have what ye need. Take it back to yer Lord and return with me wife at once.”

Nicolas bowed with a flourish, a gesture meant to be polite. Then, without waiting for an escort, he let himself out of the council chambers. Cameron waited until he was sure the man was out of the castle before speaking again.

“We will still be ridin’,” he said, his voice steady despite the anger that was threatening to take control. “I need a witness to take down Lord Abbott. He is a Duke. This time, when I face him, I will be one step ahead. Now, Gavin, go and stop our friend before he gets too far.”