Black Richard's Heart (The MacCulloughs #1) - Suzan Tisdale Page 0,150
blind,” Aeschene told him. “But I will assume ’twas me ye were speaking to?”
“She is m’lady to ye, ye swine,” Daniel said with a hard shove against the young man’s shoulder.
“Beggin’ my pardon, m’lady,” the young man quickly added. “But aye, he says to tell ye he wishes to meet with ye, m’lady, in person to discuss terms.”
Her warriors were keeping any opinions regarding her meeting with the Chisolm closely guarded secrets. The entire room was silent, save for the crackling fire in the hearth.
“Terms of the ransom or terms of war?” she asked, knowing full well the Chisolm had set up camp at their eastern border.
He stammered for a brief moment before answering. “He did nae say, m’lady.”
Aeschene’s imagination began to run rampant. More likely than not, Randall Chisolm’s demand that she meet with him in person was nothing more than a very vain man flexing his muscles, to show her that he had the upper hand. As most women learn sooner or later, ’tis often best to allow a man to think his ideas or opinions were their own and not grown from any carefully planted seed by his wife, mother, or sister.
“What is yer name?”
“Gerold, m’lady. Gerold Chisolm.”
She gave a curt nod and said, “Gerold, tell yer laird I shall meet him at his encampment. I shall be there by nightfall. Lachlan, please see to it that this young man is escorted safely to the border.”
Thankfully, the men kept quiet until the door closed behind Gerold Chisolm.
As soon as the door closed, the warriors made their opinions of the Chisolms and the message well known. They were adamantly opposed to the idea of Aeschene getting anywhere near the Chisolm or his encampment. ’Tis far too dangerous. He cannae be trusted. He is mad!
Aeschene was silent for a long moment, giving the men plenty of time to give voice to their thoughts on the matter. ‘Twasn’t until they began repeating themselves that she stepped in. “I ken ye are all concerned for my safety,” she said, raising her voice to be heard over the din. “Lachlan, please take me to Richard’s study.”
There was very little time to waste discussing the matter. She also wanted a quiet place to plan their next move. Lachlan put her hand in the crook of his arm and led her out of the gathering room. Marisse and Keevah were following right behind.
“Ye cannae mean to meet with him,” Lachlan said as they walked the long corridor.
“Of course she does nae plan to,” Marisse answered on her behalf. “’Tis far too dangerous.”
Keevah had to agree. “’Tis a trap, to be certain.”
Lachlan entered the study first and began lighting candles. Once there was sufficient light, he told the women to enter. Marisse helped Aeschene into Richard’s chair behind his desk, while she and Keevah sat in the two chairs in front of it.
Lachlan was busy lighting a fire in the hearth. Even after the flames roared to life, he continued to poke at it with the heavy iron poker.
“So, what is our plan?” Marisse asked when she could take the silence no longer.
Aeschene had been trying to think of the best plan of action. If she refused to meet with the Chisolm, lord only knew how he might retaliate. If she chose to meet with him, she was not only putting her own life in danger, but also that of her unborn child.
“No matter what I do, there will be risks,” she said.
“I dunnae ken why we cannae just attack them,” Keevah said. “They have already set up camp along the border.”
Marisse liked that particular idea and told her so.
“Nay,” Aeschene interjected. “The Chisolms outnumber us four to one. I seriously doubt he was foolish enough to bring all of his men with him.”
Marisse and Keevah considered that for a long moment.
“Were I the Chisolm,” Marisse began, “I would put my men in groups all along the border, well-hidden of course. And as soon as we were attacked, I would bring those men out of hiding…” her words trailed off as she thought of the potential outcome of such a plan.
“The problem is we are nae at war,” Aeschene reminded them. “At least nae in the typical sense. Randall Chisolm wants something other than coin, of that we can be certain.”
Lachlan finally turned to face the women. “He wants the complete annihilation of our people.”
All three women turned to look at him.
“Not only does he want our land and holdings, he wants to destroy us.”