Page 70 of The Burden of a Scottish Chieftain
Lennox waited for Tamsin to come down the staircase. He was still in shock that Meg had fallen asleep and not joined them for the evening meal.
Then Lia said, “We should not forget all that poor Meg has been through. Promised in marriage to a man she didn’t approve of, running away, finding four bairns who needed her help, putting an axe in a man who chased us, getting sick with the fever, waking up in a strange place with strange people, climbing in a boat to come look for me at Loch Aline, only to find herself in Drimnin and caught in a horrific battle. Have I recalled it accurately, Chief MacVey? I think she is deserving of a long rest.”
Leave it to a child to simplify everything and make perfect sense. “You are correct, Lia. My thanks to you for reminding us of all she’s been through.”
Magni said, “I wish I’d seen the battle, but we were too late. How long did it last? Was she hiding while you fought off the fools, Chief? Did she use her axe again?”
Lennox hid his smile. “She did indeed use her axe. Meg is incredibly accurate with her weapon.” He hadn’t given that a thought until Magni had mentioned their battle again. Lennox had been in many, but not Meg.
“And that Egan. I’m glad I never met him. Pirate Man and Hairy were bad enough.”
Lia came over and whispered in his ear. “Fear not, she does love you. Besides the battle think on the fact that she killed her first when she was fighting a fever. And then she killed another with you.”
Lennox stared at Lia, the wisdom that was forthcoming from her lips so unusual he didn’t know how to react. Except that she was always correct.
But his last part was on wee Lia. He’d never told her that Meg had killed anyone.
Yet she knew.
***
Lennox didn’t sleep well, memories of their night together too fresh in his mind. Unsettled that he had finally fallen in love and she wasn’t lying next to him, he was as uncertain about what steps to take next.
He didn’t know what to do. And when Meg wasn’t in the great hall in the morning, he had the worst feeling. Was she glad to be rid of him?
More confused than ever, he spoke briefly with Tamsin, telling her exactly how he felt, then took his leave. He’d have to wait to hear from Meg.
On the way back, he decided to visit with the Granthams before heading to his castle. He found the four Grant cousins sparring in the lists, something he enjoyed watching—Alasdair with Alick, Alaric against Broc.
When they finally finished, he couldn’t help but ask the most obvious question. “Are you all named with the first letterA? Other than Broc, it seems your names are similar. Why?”
Alaric laughed. “My three cousins were born on the same night, the first grandchildren of Alexander Grant. They agreed that whichever bairn was born first got to use his name, but they were all born at the same exact time.”
“Exactly?”
Alasdair said, “Close enough to call it the same. I think Aunt Jennie and Aunt Brenna may have planned it ahead so Grandsire, their brother Alex, wouldn’t know. Apparently, our parents argued about it so much that he wouldn’t settle the argument as to who was the firstborn.”
Alick added, “So we were all given names similar to Alexander—Alasdair, Alick, and Elshander. Alaric was a name chosen by Uncle Jamie to be like Alex as well.”
Broc took a bow. “And then there is me.”
Alasdair said, “Join us for the midday meal and an ale, MacVey?”
“Gladly. I’ll follow you in.” He led his horse to the stable, admiring all the warhorses inside the building.
Once in the hall, Dyna joined them. The bairns played off to the side with Sela and Gwyneth chatting near them. “Sorry, I cannot seem to let them play outside without constant supervision. Tell me you caught some of the fools, Lennox.”
Lennox gave her a short explanation, including finding Thane’s parents.
“Truly? After all these years? How the hell did that happen? How did you know?” Dyna asked.
“Lia. She brought us to the cottage near the water where his parents were kept to take care of any bairns brought in by Egan.”
“Did you kill the bastards who controlled that situation?”
“Aye. All taken care of with many thanks from the local villagers in Drimnin.”
The door opened, and Logan entered with Connor. “MacVey, that you?”
