Chapter Seven #2
My heart is heavy as I too grieve for your father.
As you know, Donnan was my dearest friend from youth.
Never has there lived a kinder or more generous man.
Take comfort knowing that he now sits with our Lord at His table.
Also, please know that you are not alone.
I received your letter and am fully prepared to guide you in finding a husband.
Marriage is a sound choice at this time.
To this end, I have sent you a selection of men, three in number.
Each meets certain criteria that I decided would set you on a path toward marital satisfaction, although I do hope love will grow between you and whomever you select.
First, none of the men are first sons. This has naturally reduced the expectation they and their families have placed on their marriages.
Second, they each possess even temperaments.
Third, their families have substantial wealth, and so none are driven by greed.
Let me provide ye with some particulars on each man:
Sir Adam Lennox is the third son of Lord Lennox and a knight under the Lord of Fife.
Despite the shifting loyalties of his father and patron, Sir Adam’s loyalty has always been to Scotland.
His age is eight and twenty. He has proved himself on the battlefield and understands strategy.
In the wake of several holdings in the Highlands falling into the hands of English lords, he can provide your warriors insight into the differing combat styles.
Likewise, I have encouraged him to study your Highland warriors to strengthen the skills of our lowlander soldiers.
Robert is also eight and twenty and is the wealthy son of a horse breeder in Edinburgh.
He was knighted two years ago by the Lord of Menteith.
Like his father, he is also an expert on horses.
His interest and knowledge borders on obsession, but if you heed his advice, the MacKenzie horses will be the finest in the Highlands.
Robert is there to assist your stable master and to train your warriors for the cavalry.
This, as you know, also supports the cause, as we are rebuilding our army during this truce.
He will bring one of his prize horses and will trade the stud for one of the MacKenzie’s.
Timothy is four and twenty and the second son of Lord Cunningham.
He is kind and gentle. A man of study. Timothy will intrude upon your life the least. Never will he chastise you for going about with bare feet.
Nor will he expect you to change for meals.
Knowing your temperament, I wanted to send you one man who would not seek to change you.
But weigh your decision. Timothy will not take command of you, but he will also not take command of your people.
Never could he be a formidable laird, which will not go unnoticed by the MacLeod.
My dear, Alex, I have no wish to see your fiery spirit smothered, or for you to be placed under the thumb of any man, including myself, which is why I have sent you a selection of suitors so that the choice in the end is yours.
Go through each one and choose wisely. Given the vast MacKenzie lands, wealth, and not to mention your fine qualities too numerous to list on this page, I do not doubt if you were to make your intentions known to any one of them that they would immediately see the benefits to the match.
Now it is especially important that you understand none of them know my true motive for sending them north to your lands.
They believe they are there to offer guidance to you and your warriors in the absence of a chieftain.
If they knew they were being appraised like horseflesh at market, they might take offense.
Guard this secret well. Also, and equally as important, I have sent another man to you, Rory MacVie.
He is NOT one of the men I have put forth as a potential husband.
I have sent him to aid you in moving the weapons you have hidden away.
This is the only capacity in which Rory is to avail himself to you.
He is a great many things and a great man, but he is not the sort of man a respectable lass marries.
Beyond that, he possesses no title or wealth.
He and his brothers are all agents working as you have for me and the bishop, but recent events have brought attention to the MacVie name.
I fear it will not be long before all the MacVie brothers will be forced into hiding or face the Tower.
I love Rory as I would a son, but frankly, my child, he is a rake.
Heed my words and hold fast to your heart.
Regarding the weapons, you and Rory must decide the best time and method to move them. Regarding your selection of husband, you have one month to decide. You can expect my visit in thirty days. If ye permit me, I will attend your wedding in your father’s stead. I look forward to that day.
You are in my heart and my prayers,
A.M.