Highland Love Song (DeWinter's Song 2) Read Online Free PDF
Author: Constance O'Banyon
dared not draw the weapon.
"Ian Maclvors, return to your grandfather, and tell him not to send an unworthy to speak in his stead. I came on the king's orders, and I assumed your grandfather had received the same command. I had no inkling that a subordinate would be representing the Maclvors."
Lord Thorndike was too wise to restrain physically the angered Lord Warrick, so he spoke quickly. "I was about to inform you of Lord Gille's request. Will you please hear what I have to say?"
Warrick flung Ian away with a force that sent Ian stumbling against a table. "I'll listen, but if I don't like what you say, be warned, I'll not feel obligated to remain."
"I was told that Lord Gille Maclvors is in ill health." Lord Thorndike glanced up at Warrick. "After all, he's a man of eighty-three years."
"He is an old man," Warrick said. "But I also know he still has the faculties and strength of a much younger man." He glared at Ian and Jamie. "I can hardly credit that your grandfather would miss an opportunity to face me. There must be another reason he did not come."
Ian started to speak but was interrupted by Lord Thorndike.
"There is another reason Lord Gille could not attend today. He is making ready to welcome his great-granddaughter, who is Ian Maclvors's betrothed," Lord Thorndike said.
Warrick wasn't placated. "I see no reason why that should have kept him away."
"Lord lan's betrothed is the daughter of the duke of Ravenworth, and the king expects her to be shown every courtesy. His Majesty has also sent an envoy to welcome the duke's daughter on her arrival. I hope you will agree that Lord Gille's reasons for not being here are legitimate."
Warrick looked quickly at Ian for confirmation and could tell from his self-satisfied smile that Lord Thorndike spoke the truth.
"My felicitations," Warrick said. "I'm sure you and your English bride deserve each other."
Lord Thorndike stepped forward. "I'll not have brawling and accusations. This meeting will be conducted in a manner befitting gentlemen of your stations. Don't force me to return to London and advise the king to send troops to quell this hostility between you."
The Englishman now had both men's attention, and they fell silent. Neither wanted the king embroiled in their age-old feud.
"Say what you will," Warrick agreed. "Just get on with it. I have important matters that require my attention."
Lord Thorndike cleared his throat. "I'll cut right through the formalities and go straight to the charges— is that acceptable?"
Warrick thought for a moment before he replied, watching Ian, who was straightening his coat. "Lord Thorndike, I'll only remain if I'm satisfied you are not a Maclvors man," he said.
"I'm no one but the king's man," Lord Thorndike declared indignantly. "If anyone believes differently he's at liberty to leave. Otherwise, be seated and I'll begin."
An uneasy peace settled over the room as Lord Warrick and Lord Ian sat down at the table. They both watched Lord Thorndike rifle through papers until he found the documents he needed.
"Starting with the Maclvors's grievances," the king's deputy stated, "you, Lord Warrick, are accused of denying the Maclvors passage through your lands to visit their property, Kilmouris. It further states here that they are often attacked and harassed by your men."
Warrick stared at Ian. "I will never allow them access to Kilmouris, because the Maclvors have no legal right to it. Kilmouris belongs to me."
"Why say you this?" Lord Thorndike asked.
Warrick drew in a deep breath. He was wasting his time talking to the Englishman, who he doubted would be impartial. "In the year 1818, the lands of Kilmouris were deeded to my sister, Gwendolyn, as part of her dowry. Even then my father did not trust a Maclvors well enough to deed the land directly to them." Warrick's eyes hardened. "At that time my sister was in good health. Even so, she died the night of her marriage to Gavin Maclvors under mysterious circumstances."
"I
"Ian Maclvors, return to your grandfather, and tell him not to send an unworthy to speak in his stead. I came on the king's orders, and I assumed your grandfather had received the same command. I had no inkling that a subordinate would be representing the Maclvors."
Lord Thorndike was too wise to restrain physically the angered Lord Warrick, so he spoke quickly. "I was about to inform you of Lord Gille's request. Will you please hear what I have to say?"
Warrick flung Ian away with a force that sent Ian stumbling against a table. "I'll listen, but if I don't like what you say, be warned, I'll not feel obligated to remain."
"I was told that Lord Gille Maclvors is in ill health." Lord Thorndike glanced up at Warrick. "After all, he's a man of eighty-three years."
"He is an old man," Warrick said. "But I also know he still has the faculties and strength of a much younger man." He glared at Ian and Jamie. "I can hardly credit that your grandfather would miss an opportunity to face me. There must be another reason he did not come."
Ian started to speak but was interrupted by Lord Thorndike.
"There is another reason Lord Gille could not attend today. He is making ready to welcome his great-granddaughter, who is Ian Maclvors's betrothed," Lord Thorndike said.
Warrick wasn't placated. "I see no reason why that should have kept him away."
"Lord lan's betrothed is the daughter of the duke of Ravenworth, and the king expects her to be shown every courtesy. His Majesty has also sent an envoy to welcome the duke's daughter on her arrival. I hope you will agree that Lord Gille's reasons for not being here are legitimate."
Warrick looked quickly at Ian for confirmation and could tell from his self-satisfied smile that Lord Thorndike spoke the truth.
"My felicitations," Warrick said. "I'm sure you and your English bride deserve each other."
Lord Thorndike stepped forward. "I'll not have brawling and accusations. This meeting will be conducted in a manner befitting gentlemen of your stations. Don't force me to return to London and advise the king to send troops to quell this hostility between you."
The Englishman now had both men's attention, and they fell silent. Neither wanted the king embroiled in their age-old feud.
"Say what you will," Warrick agreed. "Just get on with it. I have important matters that require my attention."
Lord Thorndike cleared his throat. "I'll cut right through the formalities and go straight to the charges— is that acceptable?"
Warrick thought for a moment before he replied, watching Ian, who was straightening his coat. "Lord Thorndike, I'll only remain if I'm satisfied you are not a Maclvors man," he said.
"I'm no one but the king's man," Lord Thorndike declared indignantly. "If anyone believes differently he's at liberty to leave. Otherwise, be seated and I'll begin."
An uneasy peace settled over the room as Lord Warrick and Lord Ian sat down at the table. They both watched Lord Thorndike rifle through papers until he found the documents he needed.
"Starting with the Maclvors's grievances," the king's deputy stated, "you, Lord Warrick, are accused of denying the Maclvors passage through your lands to visit their property, Kilmouris. It further states here that they are often attacked and harassed by your men."
Warrick stared at Ian. "I will never allow them access to Kilmouris, because the Maclvors have no legal right to it. Kilmouris belongs to me."
"Why say you this?" Lord Thorndike asked.
Warrick drew in a deep breath. He was wasting his time talking to the Englishman, who he doubted would be impartial. "In the year 1818, the lands of Kilmouris were deeded to my sister, Gwendolyn, as part of her dowry. Even then my father did not trust a Maclvors well enough to deed the land directly to them." Warrick's eyes hardened. "At that time my sister was in good health. Even so, she died the night of her marriage to Gavin Maclvors under mysterious circumstances."
"I
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