Page 31 of The Anguish of the Scottish Lairds
“I was going to the kitchens. Why don’t you bring him along into the great hall? There are more toys there, and his grandparents will be out of the solar shortly.”
“Do you mind if I return to borrow a book afterward?”
“Of course. Borrow all you like. I can suggest a couple of titles.”
“I would like that. Two books, one for my sister-in-law, if you don’t mind.”
“Gladly. Come. We can look at the books later.” Then she stopped and said, “Here, allow me to show you another way to hold Grant. He likes to see what is going on so if you hold him on your hip just so, he can look about at everyone as you walk.”
She did that and the lad bounced with excitement as soon as they headed out the door, Lia behind her.
They reached the hearth where it was much warmer, and Maeve pointed. “When you tire of him, Eva, just set him in his wee boat. It’s well cushioned. I’ll be right back.”
Eva sat down, adjusting the bairn on her lap so he could look about. He kicked like he was about to run across the chamber. The door opened, and she heard the boot falls on the stones, but she didn’t look up until they were nearly upon her.
When she looked up, she paled.
Sloan Rankin, his hair unkempt and looking handsomer than ever, stood over her. “Greetings to you, Eva. Could we have a word, please?”
CHAPTER TWELVE
Logan
Logan stood in the middle of the forest and scanned the area. His vision wasn’t quite as good as it used to be, but he could see more than Gwynie could. Though he hoped her accuracy would be there today. He didn’t know this fool who he’d met before, so he didn’t trust him either.
Gwynie was hiding in a tree, just in case the piece of slime had other plans.
“I know you’re here. I heard you before,” he called out. “Dumb arse.”
A man stepped out from behind some bushes. “What do you want? This is the last time I’ll come when you summon me. I control you.”
Logan snorted, the idea of anyone controlling him nearly more than he could handle, but he forced himself to calm down because he needed information first. Maitland was more upset than Logan had ever seen him. Avelina had seen a dark aura on her way over to the isle, something that didn’t bode well for any of them.
Logan loved his sister and wouldn’t argue with her because she was right. Something was about to happen, and at present, it was anyone’s guess. It was Logan’s responsibility to find out exactly what it was.
At present, he had no inkling what was brewing on the isle. Neither did Connor, who counted on Dyna to see things.
But they’d had two other bad indications. First, Tora had told Connor that he couldn’t leave because of the bairn. And she told him not to tell Maitland. Even that had made Gwynie pale. Tora had abilities that were just coming to light. Dyna didn’t understand her own daughter’s special skills. And Sandor wasstarting to act odd as well. Every once in a while, he would wave at something or someone when no one was there.
Once, Logan had asked him in front of everyone, expecting the lad to tell him he waved at a bird or some other creature.
But instead, he waved with a backward hand and said, “Gweetings, Gwandpapa. I wike yo swowd.”
Dyna had gasped, Connor had sat down hard on a nearby stool, and Gwynie had nearly fallen out of her chair.
And then there was Lia, the lass who Magni swore he found under a leaf in the forest. She’d told Avelina and Maitland some things that brought giant tears to Menzie’s face, though he told no one what she’d said.
Avelina had taken a hold of Logan’s hand and said, “Let it go, brother. He’ll tell you when he’s ready.”
Something bad was coming. He knew it, Gwynie knew it, and so did half the people at Duart Castle.
“What do you want?”
“I want to know why you lied to me.”
“I never lied to you.”
“The hell you didn’t,” Logan said, his hand going to the hilt of his weapon. “And don’t start lying now. You said someone was attacking Clan Rankin. Naught has happened. So, what’s the truth of it?”
