Page 54 of The Defiance of a Scottish Heart
She made it appear like she was leaving, but then she hid behind a tree to listen to the two argue because voices carried so well over the water.
“Now what?”
“What the hell do you think? First, we go to shore and get the bleeding to stop. I don’t care to be in the water and draw sharks, do you?”
“I want her badly. I’ve been waiting a long time.”
“Luckily, you met me. You’re too stupid to do it alone. We go back and regroup. We’ll return in two nights.”
“Why two? Can’t we return on the morrow?”
“Nay.”
“Why not?”
“Because we’ll both still be bleeding. Besides, I want that one who got us now. We need more weapons.”
Brynja laughed loudly enough for them to hear her. As soon as they did, they rowed faster.
How she wished they’d tip their boat over and become shark food.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Taskill
Taskill led his horse out and mounted up, but Lennox stopped him just before he departed. “Taskill, what the hell are you doing?”
“What the hell do you think I’m doing? I’m going after Sheona. You heard Tora.” He brought his horse over to the gate. “I don’t need you to go with me.”
“Taskill, stop for one moment.”
He sighed, pursed his lips, and set the reins on his lap while he waited for his brother. “You have a quick moment, Lennox.”
“You have no idea if it’s Sheona or not. Sona is different from Sheona.”
Taskill laughed. “Even you don’t believe that, brother. In Tora’s words, it was ‘Sona at the abbey.’ You’ve been the one who most believed in the lassie’s abilities. Something’s about to happen, and someone has to be there to stop it. No one at the abbey will save her.”
Lennox motioned for the stable lad to bring his horse out, then mounted. “We’re stopping home to check on Mama. I wish to know about Dermot. Then go if you like. But that whole thing about Dermot sobbing and asking Mama to do something for him? I don’t like that either. Mayhap she’s gone to Iona. I don’t know if you’ve ever noticed before, but Mama is a wee bit headstrong. I wish to see.”
Taskill tipped his head with a chuckle. “I’ll agree. I was going to get my saddlebag anyway and a bit of food.” He led his horse out of the gates, Connor finally catching up to them.
“You are going to Iona, Taskill?” Connor asked.
“Home first, then Iona Abbey. To the nunnery. You believe her, do you not?” Taskill asked.
“I always believe Tora. I don’t know who speaks to her, but she hasn’t been wrong yet.” Then Connor hesitated.
“What?”
“It’s unusual for her to speak of someone she doesn’t know. And to speak of something that far away.” Then he paused and stared at Taskill, something he didn’t often do.
“Your thoughts, Chief?” Lennox asked. “Speak your mind, if you please.”
Connor looked at Taskill and said, “It’s clear you have feelings for the lass, Taskill. Whatever is holding you back, you better get over it before it’s too late. You may not get another chance.”
Taskill nodded and said, “Good advice if I were the marrying type. But I still have to make sure she’s safe.”
“Then go,” Connor said, heading back toward the keep. “Godspeed. And think on my words along the way.”
