Chapter 25
Rose dimly remembered in the back of her mind a moment when she had not been so entirely consumed by terror and nerves. It was not this moment, not at all.
As she stood there in the keep’s study that Dominik used as an office to conduct his business on behalf of the castle, the sound of boots clomping down the stone hall just outside was as enormous as cannon blasts.
The English officials had arrived.
“You will be perfectly fine, Rose. You are capable. You know the truth.” She whispered the words to herself, attempting to breathe as steadily as she could.
Stepping into the room first was her husband.
Dominik led two imposing figures into the room, Fiona and Peggy sneaking into the space behind them.
Rose could not tear her eyes away from the stately attire of the Crown’s officials until Fiona was suddenly before her, blocking the view of the two men who were presented with chairs by the Laird and her sweet maid, Peggy.
“Here, me Lady. For courage and strength.” Rose looked down as Fiona pressed something into her hand.
When she opened her fingers, Rose saw a tiny pouch made of rough fabric, the likes of which she would expect on a bag of feed for the livestock. It possessed a thread at the top, which currently kept it sealed shut.
“What is this?” Rose asked, her brow furrowed as she looked back up at Fiona.
“A charm, mistress. It will give ye the courage ye need to face these men and their questions.”
For a moment, Rose thought to inquire more about what was contained within the pouch, but she had grown to learn it was best not to.
Many of the people in the clan and throughout Scotland, she had learned, were still practitioners of several ancient traditions and superstitions.
And at this point, Rose would take whatever help she could get.
She smiled at the healer’s apprentice, embracing her briefly before the young woman turned to leave.
Peggy came up behind Rose then, patting her on the shoulder as she whispered something beneath her breath that sounded like “English justice continues to be lacking.” Rose forced herself not to laugh at that and smiled at Peggy as she took up a position at the back of the room, not leaving during the interrogation.
“Miss Barton,” one of the officials began, speaking up from his seat to steal the attention of the room, “if we can begin.”
Rose gripped Peggy’s arm in a show of solidarity before walking to the officials and taking her seat in front of them. Dominik stood just at her back, his hand resting on the back of the chair, while Rose perched on the edge.
“Lady MacKay, if you please. I am the Lady of Clan MacKay through marriage.”
The man cocked a brow at her, noting the direct challenge Rose offered. She was immediately disputing the claim that she was not married to the man behind her, and the Crown’s man adjusted in his seat, ducking his head before returning his stare to her with a sneering grin.
“Apologies.” He nodded once. “I am Horatio Burns, and my associate, Mr. Bernard Hopkins. We have come today to inquire about a particularly concerning report that the ‘marriage’ between you and the Laird of MacKay was indeed fraudulent, and he is suspected of abducting a person of English residency.”
“I am aware of the rumors, Mr. Burns. What information can I provide you that may assist with clearing up this dreadful business?”
Rose felt Dominik’s hand grip the back of the chair tighter, but he said nothing, allowing her to speak for herself. They had discussed this a bit prior to the officials’ arrival, and it was crucial that it did not appear as if Dominik was keeping his wife from speaking the truth.
So, to put on the correct expression and presentation, Rose sat in her seat, poised with her spine as straight as ever. She was not lying to the men; this was indeed the truth of the matter, and she would conduct herself with the highest dignity and courage as she could manage.
“Before we ask for your testimony to the validity of this marriage, we must make it clear here and now that this investigation is not solely based on the hearsay of a few individuals. The outcome of this investigation could indeed affect the status of your position here and in London, as well as the standing of the copper-rich land that was inherited. Since it possessed the stipulation that it would not be granted until you were married.”
Rose nearly choked on her own saliva. She was aware that her own reputation and status were at stake, but the land?
Furthermore, how did these officials even know about the copper deposits?
That information had been kept from those in the clan since its discovery.
Something foul was afoot, and Rose did not know what.
“Excellent,” said Mr. Burns, “let us begin.”
It took everything in Dominik’s person to maintain his composure. The English officials threatened Rose’s status within their Society and Scottish law, and they knew of the deposits found on her inherited land. Something that should not be possible.
“Of course,” Rose replied to the man’s words, her voice as even and calm as ever, “I am at your disposal.”
Despite the fury raging through his innards, Dominik could not deny that his wife had already conducted herself with a level of professionalism and courtesy that not many could manage.
She was steady, unfazed by their threats, and appeared as intelligent and informed as any Laird or Lady this keep had ever seen.
He was desperately impressed, full of admiration, and he had to admit relief.
“Very well, firstly, my lady, I will ask you outright. Were you abducted by this man and forced to be his wife?”
Rose didn’t flinch or hesitate. “No. I met Laird MacKay through the English matchmaker, Miss Mirren Wood. She introduced us when I had come to her seeking a husband, and we were married shortly after meeting based on mutual agreement.”
Dominik could hardly steady himself as he watched Rose handle each question and thinly veiled insult the officials threw her way. After all this time together, it was here and now that he could truly see just how brave and dignified she was.
Rose had learned the ways of his people as quickly as she could, and she was even now facing another challenge to ensure the best for this keep and their union.
It was truly remarkable, endearing to watch, and he would even go so far as to say that beyond anyone’s doubt, Rose had truly proved herself to be the Lady of Clan MacKay.
“Can you please tell me what you see here?” Mr. Burns held out his hand, and his associate retrieved a thick bit of parchment, delivering it to the man’s gloved hand.
Rose took the same paper, unfolding it carefully and examining the contents. Even from behind her, Dominik could see the official nature of the document as he glanced over her shoulder. The words that stood out to him the most were “promised hand.”
“I don’t understand. Where did you get this?” Rose’s voice had shrunk some, the confusion abundantly evident.
“Can you attest to its validity?” Mr. Burns conveniently did not answer Rose’s question.
“No, it is entirely invalid.” Rose shook her head, looking back down at the document. “This appears to be a claim that I was promised to Ambrose Lockhart, Viscount of Egerton. But I can assure you that no such document was ever drafted during our brief time together.”
“A date is set on the paper, my lady. Are you saying that it is false?”
Rose snapped the paper down to her lap, keeping her voice level even as she radiated frustration and fury.
“It is indeed false. This is not my signature, nor is it the signature of my parents. I did not agree with this. Furthermore, Lord Egerton swindled my father out of the dowry, tricking the poor man into delivering it before our marriage. It is because of him that I was forced to go to Miss Wood in search of a new husband.”
Mr. Burns’ expression darkened, the creases in his brow standing out starkly. He exchanged a glance with his partner, Hopkins, and they returned their steely gazes to Rose.
“Can you provide proof that this is not your signature?”
Rose looked over her shoulder at Dominik, and he focused on the intensity of her stare.
“Our marriage license. You had acquired special dispensation to proceed with the wedding so quickly, and we signed the agreement during the ceremony.”
Nodding, Dominik stepped away from Rose to the side of the room.
Within the bookshelves in the chamber, Dominik used a bottom section to hold the many letters and agreements he had drafted up between himself and his several business contacts.
Within that same set of documents was their marriage license.
He retrieved the document quickly, returned it to the officials and presented it to them without so much as a blink.
“I believe ye can see the signatures there yerself.”
The officials looked over the document, comparing the signatures on the pieces of paper against each other.
While there may have been a similarity or two, it was impossible to say that they matched.
Burns scowled, looking at his fellow with a severe expression.
The room was silent, and in the quiet, a thought occurred to Dominik that he knew he must vocalize to Rose as soon as they had a moment.
Lord Egerton had presented this claim of a promised marriage to the officials after he had seen them in the inn. It was obvious that he had been the one to spread the rumor of her “abduction,” and Dominik wouldn’t put it past the man to have been the one to tell them about the copper as well.
How that bastard found out, Dominik did not know, however.
“Thank you for your time, Laird and Lady MacKay. We will deliberate our findings and return word of the Crown’s decision to you.”
The men got up, proceeding to the exit, before Dominik stopped them. He held out his hand.
“The licenses, please.”
Remembering himself, Burns handed the document back, then straightened his coat. Dominik nodded once, maintaining decorum as he gestured out of the room and into the hall. As a servant passed, Dominik raised his brows, making eye contact with the man.
“Would you be sure our guests are properly shown to their carriages. They have made a lengthy journey, come all this way, and we shall show them the height of Scottish hospitality.”
The servant nodded hastily, escorting the men to the main entrance where they could retrieve their coats.
Dominik watched them slip down the hall until he could no longer see them.
His shoulders sagged slightly before he spun around and headed back into the study.
Rose stood up the moment he entered, rushing up to him.
“Lord Egerton did this. There is no other explanation.”
Dominik nodded back at her. “I came to the same conclusion. I have a feeling that he caught wind of that copper discovery while he was still lying low in Scotland after abandoning ye. Something tells me the man wants to get his hands on it.”
“This is ridiculous. He must know I would never agree to marry him. And that is the only way he would be able to get his hands on the land.”
“I am quite sure Egerton does ken that verra well. He drafted up a false promise, lass. The man is clearly…unwell with greed.”
Rose opened her mouth, words on the tip of her tongue, when Fiona suddenly came in through the open door, rushing up to the pair of them. Out of breath, the young woman gripped Rose’s hand as his wife stepped forward to aid her.
“I am sorry for the intrusion, but I’ve discovered it. The reason the livestock became so ill.”
Dominik’s attention snapped to Fiona all the more, his hand instinctively going to the small of Rose’s back.
“Well, go on then, lassie.”
“Arsenic. It’s used to kill vermin and the like. We daenae use it here in the castle because of the mouser cats and such. It is easy to get. I only wish I had recognized the symptoms sooner. But it is the poison ye speak of.”
A shiver ran down Dominik’s spine. Arsenic was a common rodent killer, the stuff used for pests of all sorts, and they did not use it in the keep.
The pieces of some massive, invisible puzzle that he could not see were falling into place.
The false document, the poisoning, and the officials knowing of the copper deposits.
It was all connected, and Lord Egerton sat at the center of it.
Dominik turned to a servant standing to the side, Finley McGregor, one of his personal guards for years, and said, “Find out everything you can about the man, and do not rest until he is in your custody. I will have his hide for this.”
“Of course, me laird. Right away. Though I will also mention,” the tall reedy man took a step forward, doing his best to keep himself calm, “there have been a few reports of a figure spotted walking across the grounds the past few nights. Oskar asked us nae to bother ye with it, but I fear now it may be connected.”
“Blasted man,” Dominik cursed, pinching the bridge of his nose. “It must. Search out the house, Finley. Daenae rest until the man, who is indeed likely to be Egerton, is apprehended.”
Finley nodded, turning on his heel and rushing out of the room to deal with the threat upon the keep. Dominik turned to Rose, taking her hands in his as he met her stare with calm determination.
“We will sort this, lass. I have nae doubt.”
“I trust you, Dominik.” She nodded once, a tight smile on her face. “We will overcome this.”