Colonel Witherspoon forced Major Lambert to answer. “Few.”
Aidan snorted. “What does that mean?”
“Yes, Lambert, what does that mean?” the colonel parroted.
“A tavern keeper and a maid we paid to keep their mouths shut.”
“Will they talk?” Colonel Witherspoon asked.
“Not if they value their lives,” Major Lambert said. “I wanted Gunn’s whereabouts kept quiet. I didn’t have enough men to defend him if—” He broke off and looked away.
“Defend him if what?” Colonel Witherspoon prompted.
“If his brother or Lord Tiebauld attempted to rescue him.”
“And jeopardize everything I own?” Aidan laughed, and Anne quietly laughed with him. His protest rang with truth. “Lambert,” he continued, “you are living in a world of your devising. I have business interests and a responsibility to the Crown. A better jest yet is to think of what sort of force I could raise among my sheepherding clansmen.”
“But your great-grandfather—” Major Lambert started.
“Is dead,” Aidan finished. “I was raised in England. My sister married an important statesman—”
“Who is that?” Colonel Witherspoon asked.
“Lord Waldo,” Aidan answered.
“Lord Waldo?” the colonel repeated in reverent tones. “I did not know you were related to him.”
“Yes, he was a great man,” Aidan said off-handedly.
“He helped arrange my commission,” Colonel Witherspoon said.
Anne could have shouted “Hallejuah.” As it was, she leaned back against the wall, almost overwhelmed by their good fortune.
Aidan quickly capitalized on the connection. “My sister was his second wife.”
“Ah, yes, I met her in London. A gracious woman,” Colonel Witherspoon said. “In fact, now I recognize the family resemblance between the two of you.”
“And can you see her attacking the Crown?” Aidan asked with a thin smile.
“Lady Waldo? Absolutely not,” Colonel Witherspoon answered.
“Then pass the word on to Major Lambert, and perhaps at last he will believe rebels don’t lurk behind every rock in the Highlands.” Aidan didn’t wait for a response but added with lordly contempt, “I’m done here. You have threatened my wife and damaged my honor. Gentlemen, Robbie Gunn’s blood is on your hands. The problem is of your own making. I wash my hands of the lot of you.” He started to close the door, but Colonel Witherspoon placed his foot in its path.
“I didn’t know Lambert was going to beat the bloody man to death.”
“It won’t matter,” Aidan answered. “It happened under your command.” He shut the door.
A hundred questions jumped to Anne’s lips. Aidan shook his head, warning her now was not the time. They listened. A second later, Major Lambert said, “I did not act irresponsibly. I know Gunn was raising an army.”
“You heard Tiebauld,” the colonel said. “Gunn had no money. What was he going to raise an army with?”
“Tiebauld supported him,” Major Lambert said, but some of his bluster was gone. He obviously realized how weak his reasoning sounded.
Colonel Witherspoon sighed heavily. “There is always a rebellion being planned in Scotland and Ireland. The rabble are never happy.” There was a pause and then, he said so quietly Anne had to strain to hear, “You are relieved of your duties, Major.”
“What?” The word burst out of Lambert. Aidan’s arms around Anne tightened as they listened to the major recover himself. “I beg your pardon, sir, but shouldn’t you take a moment to consider?”
“I’ve considered,” the colonel said bluntly, “and have decided it best for you to leave immediately. Return to my headquarters and I will see letters are drawn up to have you reassigned from Scotland.”
“But there is nowhere to go!” Lambert said. “Other than Ireland or the West Indies.”
“Where I’m certain you will find a suitable post.” The colonel started walking back to his room, but Lambert must have stepped in his way.
“I am not wrong about Gunn.”
“Well, we’ll never know, will we? Gunn is dead, and Tiebauld is right! If word gets about how we caused his death, then we will have a riot on our hands, a riot of your making.”
“I kept you informed of my every action,” Major Lambert countered.
Colonel Witherspoon’s voice became steel. “I did not order you to hold Tiebauld. Perhaps your jealousy blinds you.”
“I am jealous of no man.” Major Lambert spat the words out.
“It is of no difference,” Colonel Witherspoon answered. He raised his voice. “Lieutenant Fordyce?”
“Yes, sir.” His voice came from a distance, as if he stood at the bottom of the stairs.
“Hand pick a detail of men known for their closed lips. See that the prisoner is buried immediately.”
“Yes, sir,” the lieutenant answered. A second later, Anne and Aidan heard the door to Colonel Witherspoon’s door shut while the lieutenant left the