Page 47 of The Defiance of a Scottish Heart
Or more.
The three men kindly sent the lasses giggling off into the distance toward the kitchens. “You dispensed of them quickly,” he said to Jowell as he passed.
“I tire of them. On Grant land, they ignored us because there were so many guards. Here, they fall at our feet,” Hagen said. “I don’t like it. How would I know if they’re interested in me instead of how I look?”
“Exactly,” Jowell said. “We send them off usually. You can’t trust their words.”
“Nice to see you, Taskill. We have work to do.” The three headed toward the lists of Clan Grantham. Taskill found his horse, mounted up, and headed back toward Clan MacVey. He rode for a quarter hour before stopping at his favorite spot, a place where he could take his horse to a ledge that overlooked both the sound and the firth at the same time.
It was a magnificent place to settle his thoughts. Connor had given him much to think on. What did he want in a wife? He had been aching for something different but what exactly it was, he wasn’t sure.
He thought back on everything, realizing that the arrival of the Granthams had changed so much on the isle, and since then, a great deal had transpired. He thought about Lennox, Sloan, as well as Thane and even Broc. Four of them had married so quickly that it had surprised him.
And three of them had been the kind of marriage he’d often thought would be his own circumstances.
He thought of Thane, rescuing Tamsin from the rocks when her husband had tried to kill her.
Or of Broc who’d saved Merryn from the cruel bastard who’d killed her sister and parents. How he’d lifted her onto his horse and struck down two of her attackers.
Or of his brother who’d found Meg with four rescued bairns, running from two evil men who’d locked them all up. She’d held an axe aimed at his chest when they met. Eventually, he’d saved Meg from the fools who wished to sell the bairns to the highest bidder.
Or of Sloan who’d followed his sister, finding her locked up, locating the bairns and saving them from the evil men who sent them out in a boat to be taken across the sea to Europe. They’d fought off evil men and even a creature of the sea who’d appeared out of nowhere.
He smiled. Every one of these images was of the husband with his sword bloodied from battle with his arm around his betrothed, exhausted and weak from all they’d endured. True love had overtaken them.
And Dermot wanted him to show up at the kirk and marry Sheona without getting to know her well.
Taskill needed his own adventure. It was supposed to happen when he traveled the isle and came upon a lass who was in desperate need of his help.
“Taskill? What the hell are you doing here?” His brother approached on horseback. “Have you apologized to the Grants yet?”
“I did speak with Connor, Lennox. He said not to worry. He thought it made the festival memorable. I think that’s what he called it.”
Lennox’s eyes narrowed. “Why are you here?”
“I love the view. I like to come up here once in a while.”
Lennox nodded, then said, “Enough. We need to talk. Follow me home.”
“About what?”
“Sheona. Dermot just left and Mama filled me in on some of their discussion. And this is not to be repeated, but he told Mother that the abbess suggested that mayhap Sheona had been abused by someone. I hope you haven’t been near her.”
“Nay. Abused her? Lennox, I would never do such a thing. How could you ask me so?”
Lennox chewed on his lower lip. “I shouldn’t have asked. I know you wouldn’t. Have you any idea who might be capable of such an atrocious act?”
“Oh, there are many among the guards, but a chieftain’s sister? Dermot’s daughter? They aren’t foolish enough to commit such a vile deed.” He turned his horse around and they headed away from the view and back toward their castle.
“Why does the abbess ask that type of question?”
“Because Sheona said she might wish to take her vows. Shocked Dermot, but the abbess said many who take their vows have been misused. She was asking for information from Dermot, but he got upset and came right to Mother. He wants her to ask Sheona about it.”
“Mama? Nay, do not allow her to go after Sheona. That would be horrible for her. Nay. There has to be someone else.”
And he knew exactly who that someone else would be.
Him. He’d heard enough.
