certain he does not find that proof. That’s why I need you. You will become the head of the asp which strikes his heel. If Strickland discovers my involvement, it will simply be another business deal for me. I may be fined , but I will not lose everything. ”
Catriona’s eyes widened as she stared at Courcy. “ You will have Branan take the blame. ”
Courcy shrugged. “ He is the one with the true claim against Strickland, he has more to lose over this than I do. I want Strickland out of the Wardenship, Branan wants justice. So, if Branan is the one leading the rebellion , I will not be blamed. I will simply be judged as doing what I do best–making money. ”
Catriona scowled , but said nothing more. Branan understood her concern for he felt the same way. He worried Ct sHe worrourcy set him up as the sacrificial lamb. But the man did have a point. Branan was the one with the greatest claim against Strickland. He should be the one leading this. With their so-called business alliance, Branan would have everything he needed, men , weapons, and a place to shelter them.
“ What do you say, MacTavish? ” Courcy asked. “ By doing this , I’m offering the pact to you which I promised John. ”
“ And if I fail in this venture? ”
“ Then you fail alone. ”
Catriona gazed up at Branan, her expression stricken.
“ All right, ” Branan heard himself say and without command his hand reached for Courcy’s. “ I accept yer proposal. ”
Catriona made a soft noise in her throat as Branan clasped Courcy’s forearm, sealing the pact.
Chapter Five
Black Rage
The group returned to Brackenburgh and Catriona excused herself to the solar. She knew Richard was pleased to see her go. She had to admit she was weary , but doubted it had anything to do with overextending herself. The day’s events weighed heavily on her.
She had known Richard only two months and didn’t trust him any farther than she could throw him. His manners were always impeccable, especially around her father, but Catriona knew one didn’t get to his level without being cunning.
This agreement with Branan frightened her. Truly, Richard was at odds with Strickland and stood to gain by having him removed. But just how far would that gain go? Would circumstances change in the future so that Richard would find it more profitable not to support Branan?
If Branan failed at this, Strickland would kill him.
he She shivered, pulling a blanket from her bed and wrapping it around her shoulders.
What if Richard decided it would be more profitable to betray Branan to Strickland? She had not seen the wording of the betrothal contract. What loopholes existed that Richard could exploit?
What if Branan succeeded? Would he claim his inheritance only to discover himself with a massive financial debt to Richard? Would Richard use the power of that debt to gain control of Branan and the Wardenship of Inglewood?
Catriona knew Richard would only support Branan as long as he found it profitable to do so. If that should change, Branan’s life was forfeit.
What could she do to see that Branan succeeded?
Catriona sighed, rubbing her eyes. She could think of only one solution. She would have to keep an eye on Branan and her betrothed. If she involved herself, then the fact that Strickland could persecute her as well as Branan might keep her betrothed from doing something foolish. It wouldn’t be easy, especially considering Richard’s slight regard of her, and his overwhelming desire to shut her off from everything. But she had to do this. Strickland was dangerous enough to Branan, she had to make sure Richard did not become a danger as well.
****
Branan, Gavin, Duguald , and Courcy sat in the small study late that evening, enjoying a pleasant fire in the hearth and good wine in their cups.
“ As foster-brother to my betrothed, ” Courcy said to Branan. “ You may stay here as long as you wish. I have the workers building temporary shelters at
Catriona’s eyes widened as she stared at Courcy. “ You will have Branan take the blame. ”
Courcy shrugged. “ He is the one with the true claim against Strickland, he has more to lose over this than I do. I want Strickland out of the Wardenship, Branan wants justice. So, if Branan is the one leading the rebellion , I will not be blamed. I will simply be judged as doing what I do best–making money. ”
Catriona scowled , but said nothing more. Branan understood her concern for he felt the same way. He worried Ct sHe worrourcy set him up as the sacrificial lamb. But the man did have a point. Branan was the one with the greatest claim against Strickland. He should be the one leading this. With their so-called business alliance, Branan would have everything he needed, men , weapons, and a place to shelter them.
“ What do you say, MacTavish? ” Courcy asked. “ By doing this , I’m offering the pact to you which I promised John. ”
“ And if I fail in this venture? ”
“ Then you fail alone. ”
Catriona gazed up at Branan, her expression stricken.
“ All right, ” Branan heard himself say and without command his hand reached for Courcy’s. “ I accept yer proposal. ”
Catriona made a soft noise in her throat as Branan clasped Courcy’s forearm, sealing the pact.
Chapter Five
Black Rage
The group returned to Brackenburgh and Catriona excused herself to the solar. She knew Richard was pleased to see her go. She had to admit she was weary , but doubted it had anything to do with overextending herself. The day’s events weighed heavily on her.
She had known Richard only two months and didn’t trust him any farther than she could throw him. His manners were always impeccable, especially around her father, but Catriona knew one didn’t get to his level without being cunning.
This agreement with Branan frightened her. Truly, Richard was at odds with Strickland and stood to gain by having him removed. But just how far would that gain go? Would circumstances change in the future so that Richard would find it more profitable not to support Branan?
If Branan failed at this, Strickland would kill him.
he She shivered, pulling a blanket from her bed and wrapping it around her shoulders.
What if Richard decided it would be more profitable to betray Branan to Strickland? She had not seen the wording of the betrothal contract. What loopholes existed that Richard could exploit?
What if Branan succeeded? Would he claim his inheritance only to discover himself with a massive financial debt to Richard? Would Richard use the power of that debt to gain control of Branan and the Wardenship of Inglewood?
Catriona knew Richard would only support Branan as long as he found it profitable to do so. If that should change, Branan’s life was forfeit.
What could she do to see that Branan succeeded?
Catriona sighed, rubbing her eyes. She could think of only one solution. She would have to keep an eye on Branan and her betrothed. If she involved herself, then the fact that Strickland could persecute her as well as Branan might keep her betrothed from doing something foolish. It wouldn’t be easy, especially considering Richard’s slight regard of her, and his overwhelming desire to shut her off from everything. But she had to do this. Strickland was dangerous enough to Branan, she had to make sure Richard did not become a danger as well.
****
Branan, Gavin, Duguald , and Courcy sat in the small study late that evening, enjoying a pleasant fire in the hearth and good wine in their cups.
“ As foster-brother to my betrothed, ” Courcy said to Branan. “ You may stay here as long as you wish. I have the workers building temporary shelters at
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