Page 16 of The Anguish of the Scottish Lairds
“Don’t get too upset. I don’t think their forces are that strong,” Logan said.
Maitland spun back around. “You don’t know who they are. What if they’re Norse? Or Sutherlands or someone else withmassive numbers? These isles are ripe for overtaking. If I had known this, I would not have brought my wife and son here, Logan. This isle is in a state of unrest, not where my family belongs.”
Connor stood up and placed a hand on Maitland’s shoulder. “You have many supporters here. And if it makes you feel any better, I’ll send a score of guards to Rankin land. I’m sure we’ll receive word when it happens, and we’ll be there to help.”
“And how many will we have left to protect our bairns here? I should have told my sire to bring a score of guards.”
Connor said, “We can send for more, if you think they are necessary. We may not get the horses here, but we’ll have a good number of men to protect the castle.”
“That’s what I want, Connor. I want a hundred guards to protect everyone in the castle. Mayhap that sounds foolish, but how many total do we have now? I counted around four score.”
“I have a score with MacQuarie. I can call them back anytime.”
“Nay, but please call for another score or two. We’ll build another stable if we must.”
“You still have plenty of room, but I can request more pallets and blankets.”
“Aye, request more grain, more ale along with the pallets and blankets. More swords.” Maitland tugged on his hair, feeling helpless. “More. We need more of everything.”
He was glad his mother was coming. With her odd gifts paired with Dyna’s seeing abilities, surely they’d be warned if anything were to happen. Maitland would not survive anything happening to Maeve and their bairn.
He’d surely die of a broken heart.
CHAPTER SIX
Avelina
Avelina Menzie leaned against her husband, still as strong as ever, his heat warming her as she tugged her scarf tighter around her neck. “I know the weather is still quite warm, but not on the boat.”
Drew pulled her in closer, wrapping both arms around her in a hug, grinning. “I love having you this close. When do you hold still for this long except when you are cold?”
“So true.” Her breath caught as she watched the landscape come closer as they crossed the firth, heading toward Craignure and the Isle of Mull. “I cannot wait to see Maitland with their new son. And I just adore Maeve. She will be the perfect mother.”
“He deserves every bit of happiness coming their way. I’ve already heard that the isle is wonderful. Lots of fish and deer, good clans, and the castle they say is finely built.”
“I’m so excited. I hope Connor and Sela are still there.”
“You never know who you will see around Clan Grant.”
“Or Clan Ramsay. I wonder where my brother has gotten off to.” Logan was one of the two brothers who remained since Quade’s passing many years ago. “I hope Gwyneth is still with him. I worry about him. Where do you suppose they went?”
“Probably to Edinburgh or even London to find a strong healer.”
“Better than Brenna or Jennie?” She glanced back over her shoulder at her husband. There were no better healers, in her opinion.
“Mayhap he’s found one of the doctors who’ve come from Europe. I’ve heard of them.”
“Only the best for his Gwynie.” She leaned back against the railing, the narrow seat as cold as the wind. “Oh!”
“What, Lina?”
“I’m not sure. Just a moment.” She blinked several times because sometimes she feared her eyes had aged enough to deceive her. The clouds had begun to change, rolling quickly over the mountains on the isle, darkening, the wind now picking up.
The captain of the ship yelled below. “The wind is buffeting us in the wrong direction. Keep rowing. I have to pull the sail down. We must hurry. I don’t like those clouds.”
“Neither do I,” she whispered to herself, but Drew heard her.
“What is it?”
