Page 43 of The Anguish of the Scottish Lairds
“I know. Mama tells me the same every day. It’s getting dark. Let’s go in. I’m looking forward to this fine meal. That deer was huge, and Derric caught some fish too. Meat pies, stew, loaves and loaves of bread, fruit tarts, and so many beans. We will eat well. I just worry for that bairn too.”
“You think like your father. Lia never leaving the lad’s side and saying she’ll protect him doesn’t make you feel any better, does it?”
“Nay, it makes me wonder what she’s protecting him from.”
“I’ve thought the same, and your mother has asked me that three times. Come, let’s go inside and enjoy the meal. My men will stay in front so no one will get through the gates like before.”
She kissed her father’s cheek. “I cannot thank you enough for staying.”
She stepped inside, pleased to see evidence of Grant guards everywhere. Once seated at the table, she motioned for the serving lasses to bring some of the food out for all to enjoy. The bairns were already munching on a loaf of bread. Sandor had an insatiable appetite.
The minstrels were arriving, setting up to play their fiddles after the meal. “Aye, I checked them and so did Dyna,” Connor said to the man at his side, Logan.
“That one minstrel looks shifty. I think I’ll have a chat with him.” Logan got out of his chair and made his way over just as more wine came in, the serving lasses handing out goblets to everyone.
Connor’s bad feelings were getting worse.
Especially when the minstrel Logan went after disappeared.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Sloan
Sloan came out of the lists and spoke to Miles, who was headed to the gates. “What’s got you unsettled, Miles?”
“Ingelram says he can’t find Rinaldo again, so I’m going to look down the coastline.”
“You check the stables, see what horses are gone, and I’ll find my sisters. See what they have to say.” He trudged inside, wiping the sweat from his brow and sheathing his weapon. His men were getting better with their weapons, but he hadn’t seen his brother anywhere today. Perhaps his sire knew where he was. He hated having to keep track of a grown man, but someone had to do it.
He stepped inside the hall, noticing his two sisters near the hearth. “Marta, have you seen Rinaldo?”
“Nay, and I have not seen Da either. Have you seen him?”
“Aye, he was watching us at the lists for a while. You know how he likes to watch so he can tell me they aren’t strong enough or that I don’t work them hard enough, but he left before he could give me his daily criticisms.” Miles and Ingelram also listened to the old man’s critiques, though Eva’s refusal had sent his father into other rages too.
Sheona said, “Go clean up. You’re all sweaty and your tunic looks like you rolled in the sheep’s pen.”
Rowan said, “I’ll go look for Grandsire, but I’m not going outside the wall.”
“Stay inside the wall,” Marta said.
“My thanks, Rowan. I’ll return in a few moments.” Sloan took the stairs two at a time and entered his chamber, glad to see a fresh basin of water there. The serving lasses knew he came in a mess in the middle of the day. After washing up and donning afresh tunic, he headed down the stairs and out the door, waving to his sisters. “I’ll be back in a bit.”
He headed to the gates to confer with Miles, see if he’d learned anything about his brother or if he knew where his father was.
“What have you learned?”
Rowan said, “I can’t find Grandsire.”
Miles said, “I still have no idea where Rinaldo is, but I did learn something that won’t make you happy, Chief.”
“About Da?”
“Aye, the old chieftain took a horse alone, told the stable lad he was headed to Clan MacVey. Said he needed to have a chat with Lennox about his sister.”
Sloan groaned, not caring that everyone heard him. “Will the man not leave it be? I’m going after him. Mayhap they’ve seen Rinaldo.” He had a gift to bring Eva, so he attached the wrapped parcel to his saddlebag, then mounted.
“Isn’t there a big festival at Clan Grantham this eve, Chief?” Ingelram asked as he joined the two. “If so, I’d bet Rinaldo is there. His horse is missing, and you know he likes festivals.”
