Castles, Kilts and Caresses by Carmen Caine & Sue-Ellen Welfonder & Tarah Scott & Amy Jarecki & Ceci Giltenan & Lily Baldwin

Author:Carmen Caine & Sue-Ellen Welfonder & Tarah Scott & Amy Jarecki & Ceci Giltenan & Lily Baldwin [Caine, Carmen & Welfonder, Sue-Ellen & Scott, Tarah & Jarecki, Amy & Giltenan, Ceci & Baldwin, Lily]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Goodreads: 26135818
Publisher: Cridhe Works, LLC
Published: 2015-08-18T16:00:00+00:00

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Marcus shifted his gaze from the flames in the hearth of his London study to the Earl of Loudoun. The shocked expression on the earl's face when Marcus had laid the edict signed by King George on the desk was far better revenge than any Marcus could have devised.

"You drag me here for this rubbish?" Loudoun demanded.

"By King George's command," Marcus replied evenly.

"Ridiculous," he muttered.

"Would you have preferred I continue to take matters into my own hands?"

The look on Loudoun's face said he would have preferred just that.

"You do not seem to comprehend," Marcus said. "I tire of the fight. It will end one way or another. I can raze every keep between Brahan Seer and Castle Kalchurn. You cannot doubt I have the power."

"You have the power," Loudoun snarled.

"Yet you crave the war—a war you would most assuredly lose."

"We have not yet lost," Loudoun snapped.

"You have not won."

"The Campbells are a force to be reckoned with."

"How many more of your men must die to prove that?"

The earl's mouth tightened.

"You need not love a single MacGregor for us to live in peace, Loudoun."

"We cannot live in peace."

"King George disagrees." Marcus motioned to the document. "You may keep this copy. Copies have been sent to every Campbell leader of consequence."

Loudoun placed the tips of his fingers on the paper, then slowly slid it inch by inch into his hand until it formed a ball. He abruptly threw the paper at Marcus. Marcus didn't flinch when the paper rebounded from his chest and landed on the floor.

"A law purchased with Ashlund gold," Loudoun sneered.

Marcus held his gaze. It mattered not if Loudoun knew that half the Ashlund fortune had been the final bargaining price that induced King George to sign the law condemning both Campbell and MacGregor to death for murdering any man—or woman—from the opposing clan. A sense of weary finality washed over Marcus. Ashlund gold had bought MacGregor freedom, but it was the wisdom of one MacGregor so long ago that had illuminated this better path.

"Bought with MacGregor blood," Marcus murmured, then louder, "and Campbell blood."

The earl rose in one graceful motion. "Forgive me, Lord Ashlund, but I find it likely King George will countermand this foolishness with the next turn of wind. He will find fault with you and your clan soon enough."

Marcus gave a short laugh. "I wager King George would be just as pleased to find fault with you as he would with me."

Loudoun's face reddened. He whirled and headed for the door.

"Loudoun," Marcus called.

The earl halted and faced him.

"I will make sure King George enforces this edict."

Loudoun's lip curled upward. "Even if it takes every last crown in the Ashlund vault."

"Even if it takes every last crown."

Loudoun turned and left the room.

Only a moment passed before the library door opened again. Marcus turned from staring at the hearth and smiled as Elise's head appeared around the edge of the door.

"I saw the earl leave," she said. "How did the meeting go?"

"As to be expected.