Chapter 4

Chapter Four

"He'll be coming by way of the valley," the Laird said, speaking to the men sitting around the large wooden table. "We'll want to welcome him and his son, and hold a feast in their honor when they arrive."

"Very good," one of his men responded, making notes on a roll of parchment.

The Laird took a deep breath and sat back in his high-backed chair, resting his hands on his belly. He glanced around at the men who waited for him to continue. James watched as Laird McMillan took some time to think his words through before speaking. He couldn't help but notice he seemed a bit more distracted than usual.

"When the Guard takes the trade to the Travers clan, I want Bram to go with them," he finally said. "The boy needs to learn how to do this job. He's too soft, and spends far too much time with his servant, shootin' at birds with his bow. He's gonna learn that runnin' the clan will take a bit of finessing."

The guardsman nodded, making a note. "Aye. It'll be good fer him to spend some time with yer guardsmen. They'll toughen him up."

The Laird laughed, shaking his head. "I swear the boy would rather be guttin' pigs than workin' toward takin' over the clan. But that's my fault. I was too easy on him growin' up."

"Very good, my Laird," the guardsman replied.

James wasn't exactly sure why he was called to the meeting that morning, but he knew not to question it. If he was wanted there, it was for a good reason. He was struggling to concentrate, though, knowing full well he had come with an ulterior motive. James was determined to help Blair, but he would need the Laird's permission first.

The Laird clapped his hands together and pushed back his chair. "Alright, that'll be it fer today, then. James, stay behind. I want tae ask ye a question."

James nodded, standing with the others, but stepping to the side and waiting until they had exited the war room and shut the large doors behind them. He watched the Laird meander over to the fireplace, staring up at the large woven tapestry hanging above. James knew that tapestry was made by Blair's mother when she married Blair's father, and for some reason, her uncle kept it hanging above.

Unsure what was needed of him, James stood with his hands clasped in front of him, waiting quietly for the Laird to speak. The Laird stood in front of the flames, one arm resting on the mantle as he stared down into the smoldering ash.

"Ye know we'll be escortin' my niece, Blair, to the McFergusons in just a couple of days," the Laird said, not turning to look at James.

"Aye," James replied, almost thankful he was not the one to bring it up. "What can I help ye with?"

The Laird sucked in a sudden deep breath and turned to James. "I am sendin' four guards to escort her there. I have three lined up and was wonderin' if ye had a recommendation fer the last one."

"I do," James replied without thought. "I wanted to ask you if you'd let me be part of that assignment."

The Laird looked up surprised and stared at James. "Ye want to go with Blair?"

James had to do everything in his power not to tell the truth. "Not with her, per say. If I may speak bluntly, Laird."

"Of course," he barked.

James cleared his throat, hoping he wasn't overstepping. "It's no secret that Lady Blair won't be wantin' to leave her sisters. She's tricky and has been the leader for them fer a long time. I just want to make sure she gets to the destination. I know it wouldn't be too good to have the McFergusons get angry with ye."

The Laird stroked his beard, narrowing his eyes. "Ye know, ye may be right. She can do whatever she wants once she's in McFerguson's control, but until then we need her to get there quickly and without issue. I'll agree to let ye be the fourth. I know I can trust ye to keep an eye on things and lead the guards."

James nodded. "Thank ye, Laird. I shall begin preparations then."

As he went to turn, wanting to get out as quickly as possible, the Laird called out to him. "Wait. I am a bit surprised that ye don't mind meeting Laird McFerguson. I thought ye hated him."

James furled his brow. "Why would ye think that?"

The Laird walked back over to the table and grabbed his cup, taking a swig. "Because ye always avoided any visits to the McFerguson clan."

James shuffled nervously in his spot, shaking his head. "Nah, I don't hate 'em. In fact, I know very little about them. I want to protect the clan's assets, and at the same time, I feel a bit of restlessness. I could do with some fresh air. I don't have any problem with Laird McFerguson."

The Laird nodded, standing up straight. "Very well, then. You'll see her there, and McFerguson has some goods to send back with ye."

James nodded and backed toward the door, before turning and heading out of the room. He wasn't exactly sure what he was going to do, but Blair was going to need more than just her learned skills to stay safe from what was to come, and the man she was heading toward.

"I'll miss ye, Lady Blair," Hannah, one of the young servant girls said. "Ye belong here, but maybe in yer new home, you'll find some freedom."

Blair smiled kindly at her. "Would be nice, wouldn't it?"

"But ye're nervous," she carefully whispered, glancing around. "I hope it helps to ease yer mind knowin' that we all have promised to keep an eye on yer sisters. Many of the staff are from the days of yer…well, the old McMillan ways. Loyalty runs deep."

Blair reached out and took Hannah's hand. "I appreciate it, but make sure everyone stays safe. They're dead, and loyalty doesn't run that deep. Hopefully, my sisters have enough wits to know how to make it through until they are wed. But I do appreciate it, and it does ease my mind quite a bit."

Hannah smiled at Blair and squeezed her hands, before turning and picking up a basket of potatoes, heading down to the pantry. Blair's smile faded as soon as Hannah walked away, staring into nothingness for a moment, before heading back to her room. Her mind was heavy with thoughts, trying not to think of the small satchel of belongings she had packed. It was everything she had left of her parents, a few items of clothing, and that was it. Everything else had been taken by Bram.

"I was wonderin' when I'd run into you." Bram's voice echoed out, sending a trail of nerves down Blair's spine. "Ye didnae think ye'd get to leave 'ere without saying goodbye to me, did ye?"

Blair hadn't been paying attention at all. She was heading to her room, her mind full of thoughts of her sisters, James, and leaving. Blair had been so lost in her thoughts she hadn't noticed Bram standing in the hallway. She immediately stiffened all of her muscles, reminding herself that her pending exit didn't mean she could relax and let her guard down around him. One wrong move and he would take it out on not only her, but also her sisters.

"Of course not, cousin," Blair replied, giving a quick curtsy. "I assumed you would be there when we leave."

Bram scoffed, walking in a circle around Blair. "Why would I be there? Ye don't see me wavin' off the servants do ye? Stupid girl. But hey, not our worry anymore." Bram laughed, still circling Blair. "Now ye're gonna be someone else's problem. I was just thinkin' last night how nice it'll be to chat with my other cousins without you hangin' around in the background."

Blair clenched her jaw and stared at the floor, letting him get it out of his system.

He stopped to her side and leaned in, pushing the hair away from her ear. "At least being married off, ye can be useful to someone around the Highlands. Spread those legs and give them some children. Seems we found the perfect candidate."

"I'll do whatever my Laird requires of me," Blair replied in a monotone voice.

Bram reached his arm back and Blair cringed, waiting for the back of his hand to hit her for speaking out loud. Instead, he just began to laugh, lowering his arm again. "Relax, cousin. My father told me ye need to be delivered without marks or ailments. Seems it's yer lucky day. I'm just glad ye're not gonna be around anymore. With ye gone, I'll finally be able to do anything I want to yer sisters."

Blair whipped her head up and narrowed her eyes at him. He stared at her like she was a monster, a disgusting bug at his feet. His eyes shifted up Blair's body and back to her face. Blair's lip quivered as he stepped back, bursting into laughter.

She was able to hold her tongue long enough to not start an all out war with him. He laughed more and headed down the hall, disappearing out of sight. As soon as Bram was gone, Blair released her shoulders and let out the air trapped in her lungs. She already knew he had been planning for her absence long before she was made privy to her pending marriage. She growled beneath her breath and picked up the pace, heading back to her room as fast as possible. She didn't know what to do at that point, but she had to figure out how to keep her sisters safe.