Page 47 of The Burden of a Scottish Chieftain
He’d visited with his mother many years ago after he’d been found on the shore, but out of respect for her, he’d never mentioned what had befallen him. He’d never told anyone exactly what had happened, mostly because he didn’t remember all the details until years later. His sire had insisted, but he’d told him he didn’t remember. At the time, he’d been telling the truth, but now he remembered, especially a man named Egan.
Lennox and Meg made their way around the coastline and headed to Kinlochaline. To his surprise, they met the clanchieftain, Angus MacKinnis, along the way, so he introduced Meg, then decided to be direct.
“Chief, forgive our intrusion. This is a friend of our clan, Meg. I met someone here many years ago, and I wondered if he was still part of your guardsmen. A man named Egan?”
“Egan?” Angus didn’t try to hide his surprise, scratching his chin as his gaze narrowed. “I surely do recall him, but he’s no longer with us. The fool decided to become involved in some unsavory practices, so I let him go. Probably over a decade ago, if my memory serves me correctly. Anything else I can help you with, MacVey? Care for a brief repast? You are always welcome.”
“Many thanks, but I don’t have time now. But if I may impose, could I borrow two horses? I promise to return them within a sennight.”
“For certes. I know how difficult it is to get those horses across the sea. I think I owe you for the same kindness last autumn.”
“Many thanks to you, Angus. Hope your wife is doing well.”
“She is.” Angus pointed to the rear of the castle. “Stables are in the area behind us. Isaac will assist you. He’s been here a long time.”
“Many thanks.” Lennox set his hand at Meg’s lower back, ushering her across the courtyard and toward the stables. He approached the building and a lad greeted him.
“My lord, may I be of assistance?”
“Aye, is Isaac available?”
A man came to the door of the stable and lifted his chin. “Och, MacVey. How have you been, Chief? And I see you have a pretty lass with you. How can I be of assistance?”
“This is Meg, Isaac. Would you find her a sweet mare and a nice stallion for me we can borrow for a day or two? Angus approved.”
“Of course he would approve. You have to loan horses to your neighbors across the water. ’Tis the only way when you live on the sound. I’ve got two fine mounts for you who get along well, and I’ll send a bag of food with you too.”
Lennox had the urge to take Meg’s hand, so he attempted, but asked, “Do you mind?”
“Nay,” she said.
He led her inside to the back, away from the stable lads, so they could talk privately. “Isaac, I have a question for you. Do you recall a man named Egan?”
Isaac stopped and turned to face him. “The bastard Egan? The one who preyed on young boys just for coin? That one?” Isaac knew exactly who he was speaking of, something that was fresh in his mind.
“Aye. He’s the one. Know you where he is? We have a missing lad nearby and I thought to look him up.”
While Isaac saddled up the two horses, he carried on with his story. “He’s a lying piece of… Your pardon, my lady. Egan’s no good. Chief sent him away many years ago, but he’s still doing his dirty deeds. I heard of it not long ago, half the year, mayhap. He stole a lad from Ardtornish Castle. And if you cannae find the no-good piece of… Sorry, my lady. If you cannae find him there, then go to Drimnin. You’ll surely find him there.”
“Isaac,” Meg said. “You have not seen a golden-haired lass in green anywhere, have you? She’s missing and we must find her.”
“Nay, and I would notice if a lass such as that were about. No lassies around here.”
“Many thanks, Isaac,” Lennox said. “We’ll see if we can find out anything more about him in Ardtornish or Drimnin.”
Isaac picked up an empty canvas bag and tossed it on the floor, stomping on it. “’Tis what I’ll do to the fool if I ever find him again. Someone needs to put a sword through his twistedsoul. Too many people turn their heads. Not me. I told the master soon as I saw what he was doing.”
Isaac hadn’t been here when Lennox was, or he probably would have prevented Lennox’s abduction. This was not the time to think on what could have been. It happened, he remembered, and now it was time to find a wee lass before Egan was able to sell her.
Once the horses were ready, Isaac offered Meg a fur. “For your lap, my lady. A gift from me. The nights are cool, as you know. Godspeed to you both. Find the lying bastard.”
They headed out, found the main path, and Lennox led the way toward Ardtornish Castle, near a thriving village. He hoped to find an inn, a good place to question the local villagers and find out if anyone knew anything about Egan or Lia.
They traveled inland through high sun and into the middle of the afternoon when they approached the outer edges of the village.
Aeoineadh Mor was a lovely village, situated not far from Loch Arienes, settled in a fine valley between the mountains of the Highlands. They found the inn and left the horses in the town stables so they could grab a bite to eat.
They had a lovely lunch—lamb pottage with a small platter of fruit—but after questioning, no one had heard of Egan.
