Page 26 of The Burden of a Scottish Chieftain
“Mayhap to be rid of you.”
“I’ve done naught to anyone.” His voice rose a pitch.
“Who? I want names.”
“I don’t have any. I am not familiar with Ardnamurchan.”
“Names!”
The man let out a deep sigh. “I truly do not know who ordered the stealing, but I know the men who stole them. They were to take the bairns to the mainland and hide them for a sennight, then take them to Ardnamurchan.”
“Names, I said.” Logan whipped out his sword and had it at the man’s neck before the fool could even move his hand.
“Hell, but you are fast for an auld man.” He hitched his breath, then said, “Herbert and Ellis. That’s all I know. They’re from the mainland in Oban.”
Logan sheathed his sword and mounted his horse. “I hope, for your sake, that you told me the truth.”
Chapter Sixteen
Lennox
Lennox set Rowan down and rushed to the girl’s side. Shocked to have finally found the bairns after he’d been searching for two days, he thanked the Lord above that they all seemed hale. He removed the axe from her hand and gave it to Magni, who said, “I know where she keeps it, but you have to help her! Her name is Meg and she saved us from those awful men who were going to sell us to work for someone. I’m not going without her.”
Lennox had to smile. He lifted Meg into his arms and sat on the boulder, settling her on his lap. “Rowan, my horse is back a bit. Please go with Magni and fetch it here. But it’s not far from a wee burn. I have a skin on the horse for water. Fill it for me and bring both back. Once I can awaken her, we’ll head to Oban.”
Magni jumped and said, “Aye, Chief. We’ll get the horse and the water!”
Once they left, Lennox called out, “Tora! Are you here?”
The white-haired lass came out of the cave holding the hand of a golden-haired lass who was as serene as any he’d ever seen. “Greetings, Lia.”
“Aye, that is my name. I think we have met before. And you are the chieftain of Clan MacVey, my lord?”
“Aye, true. Tora, your mother is verra worried about you. I promise to get you back to her before nightfall.”
Tora pointed toward the sea. “Gwandpapa is nearly at the fewwy. They’re going over to help Mama. I can wide with him. He has his howse, Midnight Star, with him.”
“I’m sure he’ll be pleased to see you, but the horse will ride in the bottom of the boat. They won’t wish to risk him falling overboard. Do you have anything to gather? Will you get Meg’sthings together so we can leave once my horse is here? We need to get her to our healer.”
“Orw ouw healer. Eli is vewwa good.”
“She is, and if Doiron cannot help her, then we’ll get Eli. But first, please gather everyone’s things.”
The two lasses rushed back into the cave.
That gave Lennox the time to do what he wished—stare at the most beautiful face he’d ever seen on a brave soul. She had stood strong against him to protect four bairns—with a fever. Who was this lass? He placed his hand to her forehead, not surprised to feel the fire burning there as strongly as in the rest of her body. He cupped her cheek and turned her face so he could look at her directly.
Her skin carried a bit of the sun with a dash of freckles across her nose, though he would wager that in winter it would be as clear as ivory. She had high, delicate cheekbones and rosy-red lips that begged to be kissed, though it didn’t interest him in her present condition.
Her hair was the color of his favorite chestnut horse, with just a hint of red in it. Her plaits were quite messy, something he found oddly appealing. She had the longest legs he’d ever seen, visible since she was dressed in a pair of men’s trews. He’d have to wonder more about that, but not at the moment. Other than the women at Clan Grantham, he’d never seen a lass in trews.
The lads returned. Magni rushed to Lennox’s side with the waterskin while Rowan led the horse, who nickered sweetly upon finding his master again, his long tail swishing in greeting. “Rowan, grab a linen square from my saddlebag, if you would.”
Rowan found the towel, and Lennox wet the cloth before setting it across Meg’s forehead. He moved it to her cheeks at the same time the lasses exited the cave and Lia announced, “We have everything, my lord.”
Lennox glanced at the lasses and said, “Rowan and Magni, will you attach the bags to the horse, please? I was hoping to allow Meg to ride along with Tora and Lia, but I think I’m going to have to hold her up. Her fever is too high.”
Tora said, “I will walk and pwotect you with my bow.” She pulled a weapon from the inside of her tunic. “I keep it hidden fwom the bad people.”
