CHAPTER 35

“I have bad news, Laird,” Gannon said in a grim voice.

Not liking his commander’s tone, Edward looked up with a frown as Gannon strode toward him, still dusty from his travel.

“Did you bring Father McElroy?” Edward demanded. Time was of the essence. Edward had sent Gannon to fetch the priest so that he could bear witness to the wedding ceremony performed for him and Mary. They only awaited the priest’s arrival before they departed for court.

“He’s dead,” Gannon bit out.

“Dead?”

“Murdered.”

Blasphemies spewed from Edward’s lips. “When?”

“Two days past. He was traveling between McLauren land and McGregor land to the south when he was set upon by thieves. They left him to rot and he was discovered by McGregor soldiers the next day.”

Edward closed his eyes. Thieves? Not likely. Priests had nothing to steal. A thief wouldn’t have bothered. It was more likely that Cameron had arranged for the priest’s murder to prevent his testimony before the king.

The one card that Edward held was the fac