A Hellion at the Highland Court (The Highland Ladies #9) - Celeste Barclay Page 0,141

as the new laird. He was Brodie’s second, and it seems like no secret that Graham is Brodie and Dominic’s brother,” Laurel surmised.

“You really want to be laird that much?” Brodie asked, still unable to believe the depth of Graham’s betrayal.

“Nay, but it still should have been my position,” Graham shook his head.

Laurel had been watching Colina and Graham’s body language throughout the showdown. Graham hadn’t relaxed his protective posture for a moment. But there was also a gentleness to how he held her. Colina, however, had done nothing to show even a moment’s interest in Graham. There was no affection from her. It was almost as though he didn’t stand behind her.

“You did it for her,” Laurel stated matter-of-factly. “You might believe you deserved it, but you wouldn’t have tried to take it if she didn’t want to be Lady Campbell.” Laurel canted her head as she tried to meet Colina’s gaze. When their eyes locked, Colina’s disinterested mien fell away, and the hatred returned. “You want to be Lady Campbell because of what comes with the title. The prestige and power you believe the position holds. That’s why you never took on the duties of chatelaine. You really do think they are below you. You want the glory without any of the work. You believe you are entitled to be Lady Campbell.”

Brodie shook his head, the effects of the poison still lingering as he fought to appear confident and in control as his clan surrounded him, his duplicitous sister-by-marriage, and his best friend—former best friend. But he needed to sit down before he fell down. He needed to speak to Laurel to untangle everything they learned. It was too confusing for his still fuzzy mind.

“Lock them below. Separately,” Brodie commanded.

“Brodie,” Dominic turned to his brother. “She’s still my wife. Put her under house arrest in a chamber.”

“No, Dom. She’s a danger to everyone, especially Laurel and you. I can’t risk her wheedling her way out and coming after either of you. She goes to the dungeon but to a cell separate from Graham.” Brodie’s heart ached for his younger brother. The man’s devastation was clear for everyone to see. He’d been besotted with his wife since the day they met, and she’d manipulated him every moment that they knew one another. “Come to my solar with Laurel and me.”

Laurel walked beside Brodie as the three went to Brodie’s solar. She signaled for Berta to send food. She would have preferred Brodie went straight to their bed, but he couldn’t. She settled for pouring several drams of whisky, praying they would be fortifying and not soporific. Brodie eased himself into his chair before the fire, tugging Laurel onto his lap after she handed a mug of whisky to Dominic and poured a healthy portion for herself. Dominic sat in the other chair. No one spoke for a quarter of an hour, all lost in thought while sipping their drinks. Finally, Brodie reached out and placed his hand on Dominic’s shoulder.

“Thank you,” Dominic whispered. He turned a rueful look at Laurel. “I owe you an apology. I sensed Colina’s dislike of you immediately. I thought she knew you from court or somewhere else. I trusted my wife’s judgment, so when she didn’t offer a warm welcome, neither did I. I’m sorry.”

Laurel nodded. “I don’t think there’s really aught I can say to make this easier for you. But your apology is appreciated and accepted.”

“What would you have me do?” Brodie asked Dominic.

“She doesn’t deserve to retire to a convent. She killed our mother. That alone warrants her death, never mind how she’s plotted against us.”

“But you asked for her to go to a chamber,” Brodie noted.

“She was going to have an accident or take her own life,” Laurel whispered. She shot Brodie a pointed expression.

“Your wife is far too astute. Thank God you married her. We’d be dead by now if she were our enemy,” Dominic mused. “You know what must be done, Brodie.”

“Doesn’t mean I have to like it if it pains you.”

“I think it would pain me far more knowing she lived. I don’t know what to say aboot Graham. He and I were close, but not as you were.”

Laurel looked between the two brothers, their resemblance undeniable. A smile flickered at the corner of her lips. When Brodie asked what prompted it, she confessed, “I hope one day that we have two sons who look as much alike as you two do. And I hope they love