Page 137 of The Laird's Masked Passion

At last.

He broke the seal and read, while the others waited. The letter contained many words and very little courage.

The Crown regretted the violence. It understood Colin’s concern. It wished to prevent further unrest between respected Highland families. A royal representative would be sent north to speak with Colin, inspect the evidence, and oversee any action taken. Until then, Colin was cautioned against open retaliation. There remained, the letter stated, no clear proof that Laird Robert Munro had ordered the attacks.

Colin read the sentence again.

“Nay clear proof,” he echoed.

Niall held out his hand. Colin gave him the letter. As Niall read, Domhnall’s expression darkened.

“We have a prisoner,” Murdoch said.

“We have dead men,” Breac added.

“We have Robert’s threats,” Colin nodded.

“And the Crown has distance,” Niall replied, passing the letter to Domhnall. “Distance makes doubt remarkably comfortable.”

Colin turned away from the table.

A representative.

His people were buried beneath MacKenzie soil. Families barred their doors at night. Elspeth could not walk beyond the walls without danger following her. And the Crown wished to send a man toobserve.

“Their messenger will take days,” Domhnall revealed. “Perhaps longer.”

“And while he travels?” Murdoch demanded.

“We obey the warning against open attack,” Colin urged.

Murdoch stared at him, then Colin looked back at the map.

“But we willnae wait helplessly.”

He placed one finger upon the northern ridge.

“Double scouts beyond the boundary. I want every road intae Munro land watched. Every rider counted. Every supply cart followed.”

“That skirts the Crown’s order,” Breac observed.

“It daesnae cross it.”

Niall’s mouth curved without humor. “And if their representative objects?”

Colin looked at the royal letter in Domhnall’s hand.

“Then he may explain tae the widows why caution required their husbands tae die.”

Silence settled over the chamber. Above them, footsteps moved along the gallery. Elspeth and Margaret passed the open door with their voices low. Elspeth glanced inside. Her gaze found Colin at once.

The anger in him remained. The threat remained. Robert was gathering strength while the Crown hid behind proof that could satisfy men untouched by the graves.

Yet his friends stood around his table.

His wife stood within his walls.

For the first time, Robert’s war had not made Colin more alone.