Chapter Forty-Four
Aside from being the Crown’s spymaster and one of the leading peers of the realm, the Earl of Westlake also owned a fleet of merchant ships, which traveled the globe to trade in everything from spices to exotic textiles and plants.
He allowed investors to buy into his shipping ventures on occasion, and had offered such a rare opportunity to Alec.
After he looked at the plans for the next several voyages, it was clear to Alec that Westlake had an eye for quality goods, and the risks had been carefully considered.
By investing a few thousand pounds of Sophie’s vast dowry, Alec would be able to earn a sizable return.
With that money, he could invest in improvements at Glenlorne, including some of the ideas the villages had suggested to Caroline, which would generate a good income.
He estimated being able to replace Sophie’s money within three years.
Alec gazed out the window at the old tower, feeling hopeful that he would be able to turn over a profitable estate to his heirs when the time came for that, and he would be able to save Sophie’s dowry in trust, untouched.
Devorguilla cried out as Muira stepped out of the shadows in front of her. The countess held a cup in her hand, and the liquid sloshed over her skirt.
“What’s that?” Muira demanded.
“ ’Tis only a cup of wine for Alec. I wanted to see how he was feeling.”
“Is this one poisoned too?”
Devorguilla’s skin prickled. “Whatever do you mean? It’s got willow bark in it, for pain.” She tried to pass the old servant. Muira stood in her way.
“I’ll not let you poison him the way you poisoned his father.”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” Devorguilla said, drawing herself up to her full height. “Get back to the kitchen where you belong.
“I always wondered, but I didn’t have any proof until last night,” Muira said. “The wine you and young Brodie tried to give to Alec was poisoned with nightshade. I found more hidden in yer room, enough to kill a dozen lairds.”
“How dare you touch my belongings!”
“Brodie told me,” Muira said. “About your plan to kill Alec. He was hiding in the barn this morning, blubbering about ghosts and sin.”
Devorguilla swallowed. “What do you want?”
Muira smiled slowly. “I want ye to drink that cup.”
Devorguilla blanched.
Muira took a step toward her. “Or you can leave Glenlorne and never come back. If you stay—well, I know more potions than you, poisons that bring on agony that lasts hours before ye die screaming, trying to claw your own entrails out. D’you ken what I’m saying?”
Devorguilla swallowed. “But the girls, they need me. I’m their mother.”
“They have Alec.”
“Where will I go?” She heard the whining tone in her own voice, knew she’d lost.
Muira shrugged. “Brodie’s mother is your cousin. Ye could go there. It doesn’t matter, as long as you don’t come back here. Ever. Or you can drink that foul brew, but I’ll have your decision here and now.”
Devorguilla stared into the cup. She’d watched her husband die.
It had been slow and painful. While she wished that upon Alec, she had no desire to experience it herself.
She looked into Muira’s eyes again, saw ice-cold determination that rivaled her own.
This was a fight she would not even survive, let alone win. She had no choice. “I’ll go.”
Angus wiped a tear from his eye as Devorguilla climbed onto the pony cart with Brodie and left. “Aren’t you happy to see her go?” Georgiana asked.
“Of course I am! It’s just that it didn’t end the way we’d hoped, and the wedding is tomorrow. It’s a matter of honor, of course—and fortune. Alec promised to marry Sophie, and he canna go back on his word. A MacNabb never goes back on his word.”
“Fortune!” Georgiana scoffed. “He’ll make a dozen fortunes if he follows what he’s started. He’s smart, but he cannot see what’s truly important.”
Angus looked at her sadly. “Ye canna eat love, gràdhach, nor can you roof houses, or feed children with it.”
Georgiana tossed her head. “Love always finds a way, Angus.”
“No it doesn’t. Not for us, it didn’t. Who’s to say he won’t come to love Sophie?”
“Not for us?” Georgiana set her hands on her hips. “And who’s to say this isn’t our second chance?” She left Angus staring at the empty shadows.