Part 41 (1/2)

”That's enough!” Alex said, stepping between the two of them. Skelley moved back, removing the dirk from its threatening position, but not sheathing it. Eliot didn't budge.

To Alex's surprise, Eliot's notorious temper didn't flare at this provocation. The gaze still trained on Skelley was calculating, as if he planned to bide his time.

”Carlisle was there, you say?” Alex asked.

Eliot nodded.

”They were looking for Mistress Graham?”

”Aye, Carlisle wants her back, so does Graham. Carlisle says no deal wi' oot the la.s.s.”

”And yet they're camping in the woods together?” Skelley said scornfully.

Eliot didn't even look at Skelley. ”Carlisle insisted on joining the search... he's besotted with the la.s.s.” He quirked an eyebrow. ”He said more than once he'd geld Red Alex if he so much as harmed a hair on her head.” Eliot leaned back to look pointedly at the larder again before raising his eyebrows speculatively.

Alex ignored the innuendo. ”So, think you Carlisle and Ridley will bargain?”

Eliot nodded. ”Oh, aye. I dinna think Lord Graham likes it o'er much, as he kens the value of the Rhins, but Carlisle wants the la.s.s. Have ye sent yer terms?”

”Aye,” Alex said, leaving the kitchen with the two men on his heels. ”A few days ago. I expect I'll hear back any day now.” He stopped suddenly and turned to Eliot. ”What did Lord Carlisle do when he learned of Laine's death?”

Eliot's black eyes s.h.i.+fted away, before fixing again on Alex. ”He was distressed, but got over it well enough.”

Alex held Eliot's gaze. The black eyes didn't waver, didn't blink.

”For your sake, I hope you're not lying to me.”

Anger blazed up in Eliot's eyes, his gaze darting to Skelley and back. He was furious at Alex for scolding him in front of another. Alex was sickened that it had come to this, that a man he had once looked on as brother was now someone he could not trust. But Alex had been very fond of Laine and if Eliot murdered the boy out of spite, Alex would have it from Eliot's hide.

”Ye're one to talk of lies. What of wee Hugh? Ye knew all along she wasna a lad.”

”That's my business and not for you to question.”

Eliot made a rude noise. ”No for me to question, aye? You're the big man, tellin' us all what we must and mustna know?” Eliot took a step closer, raising his chin to direct his dark stare in Alex's eyes. ”Ye can play laird, but we all know you're no one. Ye're just a reiver like the rest of us, stealing what ye canna rightfully have.”

”If you don't like it, you're welcome to leave.”

Eliot's mouth flattened in his beard and Alex knew the blow was unexpected. ”Weel, I just might do that.” He stalked away.

Alex watched him turn the corner, anger and shame warring in his heart. His father would take a strap to him for treating his favorite nephew so poorly. And yet, Eliot had changed. Alex didn't want him anywhere near Fayth.

”I know not what he's up to,” Skelley said, rousing Alex from his thoughts, ”but he's a fox and it can be no good.”

Alex clasped his hands hard behind his back, thinking. ”Aye. If we're lucky, he'll leave of his own accord and that will be the end of it.”

”If he doesna?”

Alex sighed, looking regretfully at his friend. ”I dinna know. We must watch and wait. I fear he'll not be satisfied until he's made us all as miserable as he is.”

”Shall I set an extra watch on the la.s.sie?”