Page 28 of Highland Renegade
She frowned. “How much is losing two dozen sheep going to affect profit?”
“It will nae be overly significant,” he answered. “Reivers are nae interested in starting a clan war.”
The frown deepened. “Does this happen often?”
He drew his own brows together. “Nae recently.”
“So you think the Campbells are behind this?”
“I doona ken…” He stopped as he heard voices along with boots tramping down the hall toward them. “We may soon find out. It sounds like Rory has returned.”
In another minute, all his brothers stomped into the room. From the look on Rory’s face, the news was not good.
“Ye didna find the sheep?”
His brother shook his head. “I picked up the tracks right enough, but about a mile down the road, the varmints had two carts waiting. I followed the tracks until they blended with others near Crianlarich. It was market day so the town was packed. No sign of our sheep, though.”
Devon cursed while Carr and Alasdair exchanged looks. Ian caught their meaning.
“Crianlarich lies next to Campbell lands.” He clenched his jaw. “Send for the duke’s cousin Henry.”
…
Emily led her sisters to the library the next afternoon, since the Duke of Argyll’s cousin Henry was supposed to meet with Ian to discuss the stolen sheep. She hadn’t even had to insist she be allowed to attend, since shewasEnglish and Ian intended to use her as a pawn to win favor with the Campbells. She just hoped his brothers—particularly Devon and Rory—would maintain decorum. And—she glanced at her sisters just before they entered—that they would as well.
“Remember what I said.Bestbehavior. Both of you.”
Juliana looked heavenward as Lorelei started to nod, but then her eyes went round and she made a cooing sound.
“That is the cousin? I thought he would be old.”
“Hush!” Emily looked around to see who had attracted her sister’s attention. Ian’s brothers and uncles milled about, and she spotted Ian standing next to his desk. Then there was movement to his right and she saw what had caused Lorelei’s reaction.
Or, rather,who. A man, nearly as tall and broad-of-shoulder as Ian, stepped forward. He appeared to be about the same age. His chestnut hair, sun-streaked to burnished gold, set him apart from the black-haired MacGregors like a phoenix among falcons. His eyes were the blue-green of a summer sea and his teeth white and even when he smiled at Emily and her sisters.
“I daresay civilization has arrived.” He made a short bow. “Allow me to introduce myself. Gavin Campbell, at your service.”
Lorelei started to extend her hand, but thankfully Juliana took a firm grip on her arm and turned her in the direction of one of the stuffed chairs by the hearth. Emily glanced at Ian and then back to Gavin.
“I thought we were expecting a Henry Campbell?”
“That would be my father. Alas, he left for Inveraray day before last. The duke, of course, is in London.” Gavin grinned. “So, when the gauntlet was thrown for a Campbell to come to Strae Castle, I picked up the glove.”
“It was nae a gauntlet,” Ian muttered, having come up behind him.
Gavin shrugged. “A summons then.”
Ian frowned. “A request.”
Before the meeting would break into a complete melee, she intervened. “An invitation. I suggested it, since I seem to be missing some sheep.” She kept her attention focused on Gavin, although she could see Ian behind him studying her like a hawk might its prey.
“Your sheep?” Gavin asked, a quizzical look on his face.
Ian moved beside him. “Allow me to introduce the dowager Countess of Woodhaven.”
“Youare thedowagercountess? I had heard you would be paying a visit, but…” Amusement lit Gavin’s eyes. “I doubt you were what MacGregor was expecting.”
“Considering my husband was forty years older than me, I am sure I was not,” Emily answered before Ian could. “And, to clarify, I am not visiting. I intend to live here.”
