Page 64 of The Defiance of a Scottish Heart
Sloan continued, “We’re headed to MacClane’s once the storm ends. I doubt they would go there, but we have to check. Taskill has gone to Iona to talk with Sheona, see if they are there.”
Connor said, “I thought Dermot and Rut hated each other. I’ve seen the two have words before. We all have.”
Logan let out a sneaky guffaw. “There’s a fine line between love and hate. If you think those two don’t have any needs they need seen to, you’re not seeing clearly.”
Sloan shouted, “Ramsay, nay. Please do not put that idea in my head.”
Lennox stared at Sloan. “What’s wrong with my mother?”
“You know what I mean, MacVey,” he said. “The two together? At their age? Nay. Just nay. Your mother is too old. And so is my sire.”
Logan looked at Connor, and the two broke into laughter.
Connor said, “Weren’t you both here when Dermot tried to force Hagen to marry Sheona? When Taskill’s name came up and Rut shoved her way between the three of us?”
“What three?” Dyna asked. “I was upstairs. I want all the details—every look, every sigh.”
“Dermot, Connor, and me. Rut was in the middle of us, and I’ve never seen her happier. That woman likes men,” Logan said. “My apologies, MacVey, but your mother had to be something when she was young. She’s still a fine woman.”
“Och, nay.” Lennox bolted out of his seat and walked away. “Now you’ve gone too far, Ramsay. I need something to eat.”
Maitland laughed so hard that Grant began kicking at his chest. “Have a meat pie. It will calm your belly.”
Tora left the trestle table and ran over to her grandfather, causing the group to quiet instantly, waiting.
She cupped Connor’s face and said, “They are together.” Then she hopped back down.
“Who?” Connor asked his granddaughter. “Dermot and Rut?”
And she ran off without answering.
Sloan whispered, “I’m not sure if that is good or not.”
Tora ran back to her grandfather, climbing on his lap again to gaze into his eyes. She always made sure she had his full attention before she spoke. “And they are together too. In the storm.”
“Who, Tora?”
And she jumped down again.
Lennox said, “Dyna, interpret, please? I have a brother and a mother out there.”
Maitland looked at Dyna and shrugged. “I know what I think, but I’ll let you answer first before everyone else.”
“Same with me,” Logan answered. “Your thoughts, Dyna?”
Lennox paced in front of the fireplace as he waited for their replies.
Dyna said, “Rut and Dermot are together. Taskill and Sheona are together somewhere else, probably Iona. I’ve no idea about the elders’ location.”
Sloan got up and stood by the table. “What if it’s Rut and Taskill, Sheona and my sire?”
Logan said, “I’m telling you that Rut and Dermot are safe somewhere. You may think your sire is careless and doesn’t always think straight, but he’s been around a long time. He has Rut somewhere safe. And I won’t guess what they’re doing because of all the tender sensibilities in the hall.”
Sloan nearly spit his drink out, and Lennox just said, “Nay, nay,” as he continued to pace.
Logan added, “Sheona and Taskill are in the storm together. In a cave or on Iona.”
Maitland’s grin vanished. “Agreed. Both conjectures are my thoughts exactly.”
