laird, should have been the one person who knew what was what and who was who. Thus far, he’d fought every attempt Lachlan had made at asking nicely.
Lachlan stood up from his desk and walked to the door. “Would ye be surprised, Walter, to learn that I have found the books and ledgers?” he asked as he opened the door. Jamie and Fergus walked in, each with a crate filled with journals and ledgers. Carefully, they set the items on the table in front of Walter.
“’Twas absolutely amazin’ where we found them,” Lachlan said as he watched from near the door. “These we found hidden in a secret space behind the wall of yer room.”
Two more men entered the room, each with a crate filled with more of the accountings. “These we found hidden in the stables.”
As soon as they left, two more men entered. Between them, a heavy trunk. “And aye, we found the coffers. Hidden in the granary.”
After the last men left, Lachlan closed the door. “Now, why do ye reckon all of these verra important documents and yer gold were scattered hither and yon?”
Walter rather resembled a fish trying to catch a worm. His mouth opened and shut several times as he fought to come up with a plausible explanation.
Lachlan had reached the end of his patience. He slammed a heavy fist down on top of the only empty space left on his desk. “Damn it, man!” he barked. “I have had enough of ye and the rest of yer people behavin’ like spoiled brats!”
Walter had jumped at the fist hitting the desk. He jumped in his seat again when Lachlan began to shout.
“I am nae yer enemy. I am yer laird and chief. And it is high time ye and every one of ye begin to see it, lest I cast the lot of ye out!”
The man couldn’t find the wherewithal or the courage to reply.
Lachlan took in a steadying breath. “Walter, I wish ye no ill will, I truly dunnae. I would rather work with ye, to bring order to this clan. I will give ye two days to think about whether or not ye’d like to work with me or if ye’d like to be banished from the clan.”
Stunned, his mouth fell agape as his eyes grew wide and round. “Banished?”
“Aye. Banished.”
Lachlan stood to his full height. “The choice is yers, Walter. I suggest ye think long and hard. Ye are dismissed.”
Walter got to his feet and hurried from the room.
After the door closed, Lachlan turned his attention to Jamie. “I want ye to bring Murdoch to me.”
“To discuss his decision to stay?”
Lachlan shook his head. “Nay. To discuss his surrender.”
It had taken Fergus and Jamie nearly three hours to find Murdoch Chisolm. Once word had spread that his presence was required before their new laird, the clan began a grand game of hide and find.
They found him all right. Hiding in a secret space in the attic of the granary. Fergus believed it a most egregious and cowardly thing to do. Jamie was of the belief ’twas just another game the Chisolms liked to play; aggravate the bloody hell out of the MacCulloughs until they left out of sheer frustration.
After dragging him from the dark hiding space, Fergus forced the man to the ladder.
“Hidin’ like a coward,” Fergus said through gritted teeth as he watched the man slink down the ladder. “After all yer braggin’ about yer bravery.” He was truly and thoroughly disgusted.
“I was nae hidin’,” Murdoch argued. “’Tis me favorite place to nap. Nice and quiet.”
Jamie waited until Fergus climbed down before taking Murdoch by one arm. Fergus took the other.
“I say cowardice,” Fergus said as they walked toward the keep.
“I would have to agree,” Jamie said.
Murdoch laughed at the accusation. “I wager ye a hundred sillars I could best both of ye with one arm tied behind my back.”
Jamie and Fergus glanced at one another before breaking into riotous laughter. “Says the man who has been hidin’ like a frightened bird for three hours.”
“I’ve seen braver newborn lambs,” Fergus added as they thundered angrily across the yard. Chickens squawked and scattered and people glowered as they made their way toward the keep.
“Ye will see,” Murdoch told them. “Soon enough, ye shall see.”
Chapter Six
Lachlan was waiting for them in the gathering room. Sitting in a chair at the long table on the dais, he took a sip of ale -MacCullough ale- as they were still untrusting of the Chisolms. He watched