Page 48 of The Burden of a Scottish Chieftain
Lennox paid the innkeeper, bought some dried meat and cheese for their trip, then headed out. They were nearly mounted and ready to leave when a woman came running out of the inn. “Your pardon, but you are the ones looking for Egan?”
Lennox spun around and nodded at the woman who appeared to work in the kitchens. She latched onto his arm with a grip that told him how upset she was about the situation. “I couldn’t let you go. Egan stole my son away nearly two years ago, but I’ll never forget it. I’ve tried to have the sheriff take him awayto gaol, but he always escapes.” She stopped to gather herself, her breath coming out in small hitches.
“Know you where we can find him?” Meg asked.
“Drimnin. I swear that’s where he does most of his work. Sells the bairns to work in Europe for the wealthy. I hate him. Please find him and rip out his heart.”
Lennox nodded. “We’ll do our best.”
“Rip out his heart because that’s exactly what he did to me. Find him.”
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Connor
“Northeast, aye?” Connor asked, looking to Alasdair, who nodded.
They ran into Alick a quarter hour later, and Alasdair updated his cousin on the situation. “I’ve got two score guards not far, Chief. I sent the other two score home. How many do you want to take with you?”
“Two men. Five of us will be enough. I don’t want to be too obvious. I hope we’re back by the end of the day, and if our mission is successful, you can head back to Grant land.”
“Tora is well? And the others too?”
“Aye, wee Tora is tough like her mother. The two lads were more shook than either lass, but Tora told me she could see me nearby, so that calmed her.” Connor shrugged. “If I must say, Astra was happier to see Tora than anyone else. She felt responsible because they rode the horse together.” He knew how soft Astra’s heart was, so he guessed she’d be returning to Grant land when he and Sela did. Wee Tora had the constitution of her mother and then some. He didn’t understand his daughter’s special talents, and now that his granddaughter demonstrated similar abilities, he understood it even less.
“Anything you wish for me to report back when I go, Chief?”
“I’m sure Sela will not allow me to return for at least a fortnight, but Alasdair I’ll send back in a sennight unless we need him to stay. It shouldn’t take us long to find these fools. We have plenty of men searching for them.”
Alick nodded. “Godspeed with you. I’ll not be far when you return.”
They waited for the two men Alick chose to join their party, then headed out, explaining exactly what they were looking for.
Connor said, “Logan, you take the lead since you have the best tracker skills. Know you anything about this area from all your spy days?”
“Aye. I know of a kirk or two, but the one I’m thinking of is larger and has buildings behind it. Meg’s description fit with what I recalled about it.”
“What village?” Alasdair asked.
“Taynuilt. There’s a chapel nearby, and it’s about two-and-a-half days’ travel by foot, so it would fit with their timeline.”
“What about the cave? We could find it along the way. At least we’ll know we’re going in the right direction.” Alasdair’s gaze scanned the area. “Any passing knowledge about caves, Logan?”
“MacVey told me where it would be. Follow me.”
They’d only been traveling for about an hour when Logan put up his hand. “Hold.” He pointed off in the distance to a group approaching.
Connor pulled his horse abreast of Logan. “English? I think those soldiers are English. What the hell are they doing this far north of the border?”
As soon as the lead man of the English group caught sight of them, he waved to Logan, calling him over.
Logan approached but kept his distance. “What do you want? Are you not lost?”
The head of the small cavalry said, “I speak on behalf of Baron Neville de Wilton. We are searching for his betrothed who was stolen from her home. Have you seen a young lass held captive by anyone?”
“Nay. Go back to the Borderlands.”
The man glared at him but turned his horse around and headed toward Oban.
