Chapter 18
S andy was desperate to know what was in the letter Brigid had received that morning. She’d shoved it inside her dress as soon as he re-entered the room, and refused to answer any questions about it. Then she’d disappeared up into her room and hadn’t come out since. That had been hours ago, and Sandy had been pacing the floor of his own room ever since.
He was tempted to climb the final flight of stairs and just ask her what was happening, but he suspected she didn’t want to talk to him. Especially after what had happened early that morning, in this very room.
Was the letter about her supposed betrothed? Perhaps he didn’t want to know. He stamped downstairs to the hall and resumed pacing in there instead.
Someone shouted, outside in the courtyard. Before Sandy had a chance to react, a servant came running into the room.
“Bailiffs!” he gasped out.
Sandy just had time to grab his sword from where he’d lain it down on the other side of the hall. A group of men flooded in through the door and halted at the sight of him. Armed, Sandy faced them warily. He didn’t dare take his eyes off them, even for a second.
“Who are you?” he demanded. “And what makes you think you can break into a nobleman’s house without permission?”
“We’re bailiffs,” one man said. “We’re here to reclaim the money you owe us. We’ll take the debt in property, if needs be.”
Sandy groaned but didn’t lower his sword.
“I’ve already been accused of being a highwayman this week,” he said. “And now I apparently owe debts as well? This is getting ridiculous. Someone is obviously trying to frame me. You’re wasting your time, gentlemen.”
Another man pushed his way forward and Sandy’s stomach sank. He recognised this man.
“I work with law enforcement here,” the man said, glaring at Sandy. “And don’t you think that we’re about to drop that highwayman case. We will find the truth.”
Sandy glared back.
“The truth is that I am not a highwayman and I do not owe anyone any money. You had better leave right now.”
“Your father took out a mortgage on Gillies Tower,” the leader said. “You owe us that money.”
“Gillies Tower is an entailed property,” Sandy pointed out. “It can’t leave the family line. A mortgage on it would be impossible. You’re clearly talking nonsense, so please leave.”
“Regardless,” the leader said, taking a step closer. “Your father took out substantial loans and left them for you to pay back. There’s no getting out of it.”
Sandy felt his fury growing. His father had not been the best manager of money, but this absolutely was not true.
“You can’t possibly have evidence of any of this,” he said. “I’m warning you. Get out of my house. Now .”
The crowd of men parted and a smirking woman walked through. Sandy’s heart plummeted. Sara.
“Actually, Sandy,” she purred. “I have been able to give evidence against you, and help these fine gentlemen. I heard you talking about your midnight rides with Tam on a number of occasions. And I know just what terrible financial straits the Gillies Tower estate is in, despite your best efforts to put a good face on it.”
Now Sandy truly was furious.
“This is it?” he shouted. “This is your evidence? You know that the word of a scorned, angry woman will never stand up in court, especially against a peer. You are all wasting your time, gentlemen, and wasting mine. If you don’t leave right now , I’ll call for my servants and have you all driven out by force.”
“We’ll leave,” the leader said, his face twisted in anger. “But don’t think you’ve won. We are on the very cusp of producing new evidence to support this woman’s stories. And then you will face the penalty for your crimes, Alexander MacLeod.”
Sandy stepped towards him with an angry roar, his sword raised. The entire group of men turned and rushed out of the hall. Only Sara paused, taking a second to throw Sandy a spiteful smile over her shoulder. The door slammed behind the lot of them, and Sandy collapsed back into his seat.
What a mess.
It was going to take all of his cunning to hold this mess together. He just needed to maintain his disguise for a little while longer.