Highland Warrior (Campbell Trilogy #1)(80)

“Left,” Jamie filled in, rather than “betrayed us,” as they were both thinking. If anyone had been hurt more than Jamie by Duncan’s betrayal, it had been Argyll.

“Left,” Argyll continued. “I never blamed you or your brother and sister, though many urged me to do so.”

Jamie nodded, knowing it was the truth. Many of the young earl’s advisers had been eager to see the Campbells of Auchinbreck lose their favor. But instead, Archie had taken them in and rallied around them, showing the loyalty to their father that Jamie’s father had shown him. “I’ve always been grateful for what you’ve done for us,” Jamie replied. “And I’ve paid you back with years of service and loyalty—but my loyalty is not blind.”

“You can’t really mean to walk away,” his cousin said. “Not after everything.”

Though Argyll did not posit it as a question, Jamie sensed his anxiousness. If Jamie broke with him and laid down his sword, Argyll knew it would not bode well with the other chiefs—many of whom viewed him as a check on his powerful cousin, in addition to being his strong arm. “Give me one reason why I shouldn’t.”

Argyll looked him in the eye and said flatly, “I need you.”

It was said with such honesty that Jamie couldn’t help but feel some of his anger dissipate. “No more tricks, Archie. No more vendettas. If you ever—”

“No more,” his cousin stopped him. “You have my word.” The earl stood and walked to the sideboard, poured two glasses of claret, and offered one to Jamie. Argyll studied him appraisingly. “I’ve never seen you so angry before. This doesn’t by any chance have something to do with your bride?”

Jamie swirled the dark liquid in his glass. “Of course it has something to do with my bride. Her acceptance of my proposal was predicated on the negotiations for the surrender of Alasdair MacGregor.”

Argyll stroked the point of his beard and considered him thoughtfully. “So the lass refused you at first, did she?” Jamie clenched his jaw, provoking outright laughter from his somber cousin. Not a particularly handsome man, Argyll had always envied Jamie and his brothers’ ease with the lasses. “I’d like to meet her.”

“The sentiment isn’t mutual. She has no great love for Campbells and blames you almost as much as Colin for the death of her family.”

Argyll shrugged. “Perhaps she should look to her father as well. The fighting at Ascog was regrettable, but not without cause.”

Jamie could tell there was something Argyll wasn’t saying. “What is it?”

Argyll slid his finger around the rim of his glass with deceptive nonchalance. “Rumor.”

“What kind of rumor?”

Argyll shrugged. “That not all the Lamont’s whelps perished in the fighting.”

The air sucked out of his chest. “What?”

“It’s rumored at least one of the lads survived.”

Jamie studied his cousin’s face, but he appeared to be in earnest. God, if this is true. Excitement radiated inside him. If he could return part of her family to her . . .

“Has anyone been seen?”

Argyll nodded.

“Who?”

“I don’t know.”

“Where?”

“If rumor is to be believed, somewhere around the Lomond Hills.”

The excitement Jamie had felt a moment ago at the prospect of earning his wife’s eternal gratitude slipped. “Fighting?”

“One would assume.”

Damn. If any Lamonts were fighting with the MacGregors, they would be outlawed. Though he was anxious to get back to Caitrina to explain before news of his alleged perfidy in the MacGregor’s death spread to the Isle of Bute, he knew it would have to wait. Jamie met his cousin’s gaze. “I’m going to Lomond.”

His cousin didn’t appear too surprised. “The lass means that much to you?”

Jamie met Argyll’s bold stare with one of his own. “She does.”

“What’s she like?”

Jamie thought for a moment; how could he put in words the complicated woman who was his wife? How could he explain that from almost the first moment he’d realized she was different from any other? “Strong. Loyal. Caring. Spirited.” He felt his chest tighten with a hot swell of emotion. “More beautiful than any woman I’ve ever seen.” Passionate.

Argyll must have read his thoughts. “Never thought I’d see the day when you were smitten. Even when you asked me to intercede on Alex MacLeod’s behalf a few years ago, I had the sense that it wasn’t so much for Meg Mackinnon, but for yourself. But this is different, isn’t it?”

Jamie nodded. “It is.”

“And what will you do if you find them?”

He eyed his cousin with full understanding of the significance of his question. It was Argyll’s not so direct way of asking him whether he still had his loyalty.

Jamie realized that he did. He hadn’t forgiven his cousin for using him in his trick with the MacGregor, but though his loyalty had been pushed to the limits, it hadn’t been broken. Despite his cousin’s flaws, in the end Jamie still believed that Argyll was a better choice than the alternatives and the best hope for the future of the Highlands. If Jamie walked away, Argyll would suffer, but Mackenzie or Huntly would be the beneficiary. There was also Jamie’s clan and Caitrina’s to think about. Without Argyll, Jamie wouldn’t be in as good a position to help them. He needed his cousin’s influence as much as Argyll needed his.