Page 55 of Wedded to the Devilish Highlander
Archer bent down, grabbed a handful of dirt, and dropped it into the hole to his left, where a body now rested. He did the same with the second grave, picking up the dirt with his opposite hand. Then, he turned to face the crowd and raised both hands to show the black stains.
“Me hands are dirty, but nae dirty enough. It’s a travesty that we stand here today to mourn two of our own. They shouldnae have died. When I find out who did this to them, I’ll get me hands dirty again, and I’ll send a message to everyone around us. Nay matter how powerful their clan is, they cannae come into our castle and do as they please. We have a rat infestation in our home, and I will be stampin’ it out. That will take time, but yehave me word that when we catch the rats, me vengeance will be swift.”
He then walked away from the crowd, not needing to be the center of attention any longer than it took for him to give the warning. He wanted whoever was behind the deaths to know what was coming next. Calum would find them, and they would be eliminated.
As he rounded the crowd, Eileen stepped out to intercept him. He took her arm and led her aside as people stepped forward to pick up dirt and sprinkle it on the graves.
“I didnae expect to see ye here.”
“I’m to be the lady of the castle,” Eileen replied. “It’s only right that I’m here.”
“Aye, it is, and I’m glad ye are,” Archer admitted. “It’s good for the people. They’ll respond well to ye bein’ here.”
“How are ye doin’?” Eileen asked.
“Och, I’m fine,” Archer replied.
“Ye lost two men, and they’re bein’ buried together this morn,” Eileen murmured. “It’s all right nae to be fine.”
“Aye, aye, I ken.” Archer nodded. He did not want to share how he was feeling, and yet he found himself speaking. “I’m angry if ye want the truth. I willnae let go of that anger until I have me hands around the culprit’s neck and I’m chokin’ the life out of him.”
He felt his heart pound in his chest.
“And neither should ye rest,” Eileen told him.
Archer furrowed his brow a little and pressed his lips together as he stared at her in the dreary morning. “I thought ye would be unnerved by such talk,” he noted.
“I dinnae like the thought of someone bein’ choked, but I was there when yer guard was found dead. There should be retribution for that.”
Archer almost smiled through his anger. “Ye’re a surprisin’ woman, Eileen Kilmartin. Ye would have made a fine Lady MacLennan if our betrothal werenae fake. Ye ken what needs to be done.”
“I only ken what justice looks like, and the people need that from ye,” Eileen offered.
“Me Laird,” Calum said, storming up to Archer.
Archer looked at the man and could see he wanted to say something. He was about to tell Calum he could speak freelybefore Eileen, but Eileen excused herself, sensing that there was important talk ahead, and moved toward the front to pay her respects.
“News?” Archer asked.
“Perhaps yer speech did somethin’,” Calum began. “There is a report of a man actin’ strange while ye were talkin’, and he left right after. Harold McDoon is his name.”
“I ken that name,” Archer said. “He works at the smithy, does he nae?”
“Aye, I think he does,” Calum confirmed. “I’m leavin’ with two men to track him, and I’ve sent another two men to his house.”
“Bring him straight to me when ye find him,” Archer ordered. “Alive if possible.”
17
The Great Hall pulsed with life, a roaring beast of fire and stone. Laughter ricocheted off the high-vaulted ceilings. The massive hearths spat heat into the room, the flames painting the gathered clansfolk in strokes of gold and red.
Archer stood at the dais, his hands clasped behind his back, his posture deceptively relaxed. But inside, tension gripped him like a vice. Every breath he drew tasted of roasted meat, spiced wine, and barely veiled suspicion.
His people laughed. They toasted. They feasted. But he knew better than to take their merriment at face value.
Tonight wasn’t just a celebration.
It was a test.
