Page 74 of The Defiance of a Scottish Heart
“And then where?”
“We’re going on a wee journey. Sheona is on an island of women, and if she were abused, then she’s in the safest place possible. But you and me? We had a pleasant time together last eve, and I’m not ready for it to end. We have a score to settle, and we’re going to settle it now.”
“And where the hell are we going to settle this, Dermot?”
“Look, we started something last eve in MacLane’s cottage. With all that lightning, it made for a unique time together. Once wasn’t enough for me,” he said, dropping his voice to a whisper. “And I doubt it was enough for you, either. Good thing we had the thunder to cover your shouts, lassie.” He grinned from ear to ear.
“Fine, you big bull. It was an entertaining night, but I’d expect more from a chieftain like you.”
“And you’ll get more, my sweet, but not here.”
She scowled at him. “Then where are we going?”
“On the boat. The one that is awaiting us. If you don’t get on, I’ll throw you on.”
She yanked her hand back as soon as they crossed the rocks onto the sand. “No one tells me what to do.”
Dermot picked her up and tossed her over his shoulder, her bottom sticking up in the air.
Rut let out a scream, then bellowed, “Set me down, you old curmudgeon! Now. Right this moment. Let me go, you wicked beast.”
Dermot laughed all the way as he carried her onto the large vessel. He then shouted to the captain as soon as they were safely on board, “Move out!”
Dermot set Rut down and she promptly slapped him. “I’m getting off this boat.”
“Nay, you aren’t, unless you like to swim.”
She glanced over the railing of the galley ship at all the oars sticking out of the sides as the vessel glided into the sea. The captain shouted to her, “Is there a problem?”
Rut glared at Dermot and said, “Nay, I’m fine.”
Dermot smirked. The woman did love to put on a show, and it was always guaranteed to be one worth watching. He drawled, “Don’t want to swim?”
Rut slapped him again.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Sloan
Sloan stood on the shore of Iona after the storm the next morning and scanned the area. Lennox paced the beach, Meg and Eva both sitting on rocks nearby. The four had come with Hagen and Jowell, who’d assisted with the rowing. The sea was still ferocious, so they had asked for help.
Lennox asked, “Now what do we do?” They’d arrived an hour ago and gone right to the abbess, who revealed that Sheona had been missing since she’d gone to Ionaland. Dermot and Rut had never appeared.
The abbess had taken them to Sheona’s chamber, giving Sloan and Eva the chance to sift through her meager belongings, but there were no clues there. “Mother Mary,” Sloan had asked. “Have you seen anyone else looking for my sister? Two men in a boat?”
“Nay, no one has come looking for her. I don’t know what has happened, but Simone is looking into it for me. She will return when she knows where Sheona is. I trust Simone.”
Sloan nodded, agreeing with her. “Simone is a fierce woman. If anyone can find her, Simone can.”
The abbess left, so the group made their way to the shore again, trying to formulate a plan. Lennox stared up at the morning clouds. “The storm is over. I say we travel back to MacClane’s and visit with Tristan. Mayhap he’s seen some activity. He’s directly on the point and can see far from that new curtain wall they built.”
Eva said, “That’s as good a suggestion as any I can think of. How the hell can four people disappear like that?”
Lennox gave his sister a glare. “You know the answer to that, and I refuse to say it.”
Sloan wouldn’t say it either. The idea that all four had been in a boat didn’t sit well with him because that meant they’d all been on the water when that storm hit. And the thought that Dyna and Avelina had been right, that Taskill and Sheona’s boat had been destroyed, didn’t sit well with any of them, especially if they never made it to shore.
No one would say the words.
