“Chew your food first, lass.” Every move Alana made put a smile on Tamsin’s face. She took the time to say a quick prayer for her, using the sign of the cross on her to keep the evil forces at bay.
If only she could find out where Alana’s grandmother was.
Extilda had been kind enough that her next move might be to ask her.
She’d risk anything for Alana. Anything.
The door banged open and there, filling the doorway, stood Raghnall, the fury on his face worse than she’d ever seen it.
Alana let out a wee squeal, then smiled at her father. Tamsin pulled her daughter in close to protect her.
He could beat Tamsin as much as he wanted, but not Alana.
Chapter Twenty-One
Thane
Thane, Artan, and Brian found a spot to hide their small boat on the Isle of Ulva. There was no need for a birlinn for this visit. Their purpose was to find out all they could about Raghnall Garvie and his land. He had no choice in the matter because the memory of a lass with red hair running to a boat would not leave him. Haunting eyes, one blue and one green, had interrupted his thoughts more than he would care to admit.
Watching Tamsin run down to her husband’s boat had struck him, piercing his heart in a way he hadn’t expected. He was anxious to see what they would find out about Garvie, though he wasn’t ready to admit the reason why it meant so much to him.
If he did, it would be admitting he had feelings for a lass, something he swore would never happen before Tamsin came into his life.
They’d studied the coastline and decided to travel on the north end a bit, always observant of the cliffs in the south. Not wanting to leave their boat near the shortest distance from Mull to Ulva, they decided to go around the tip to the south in search of a spot where they could hide their boat and where the foot traffic was much less.
They needed the boat to return home.
Artan pointed to a spot where the coastline was flat with a few places to hide the small vessel, so they ventured there, pleased to see no one was about.
“I wish we had horses.”
Artan said, “I was told Garvie’s holdings are not far from this spot. There are few other inhabitants on the isle. Take over Garvie’s land, and the isle could be yours.”
Thane listened, but his mind was intent on taking in all heneeded to learn about the isle—the landscape, wildlife, boats, any inhabitants, and buildings. It was beautiful, lush with greenery and birdlife, including Mora’s favorite, the puffins, that were abundant on the coastline.
Her squeal whenever she caught sight of a group of puffins was a treat for him. He missed her already, having left her at the Grantham holding to spend time with Astra while she was visiting.
He knew she needed female companionship, and he could think of none better than Eli, Dyna, and Astra. Mora hoped to learn some archery, and she would benefit from her time around the bairns, another pastime she had little experience with.
No women living on their land meant no bairns living with them. Wee ones visited occasionally with their fathers—guards, carpenters, armorers. But Mora rarely had the chance to experience bairns.
Thane looked forward to listening to her chatter about all her new experiences.
For now, his focus was on taking out the evil of the world—Raghnall Garvie. The world would be better off without him.
They made their way to a small village consisting of several merchants hawking their wares. The three headed down the middle of town, observing men at the armorer, the fish market, the baker, and others.
Thane purchased a loaf of bread and split it between the three of them, then began asking questions. “How often is the market open?”
“I only come across the loch one day every sennight. I don’t like it here of late.”
Thane arched a brow and said nothing, knowing that the man would expand on his comments if he didn’t respond.
The merchant glanced around as if he were waiting to be struck down for speaking his mind, then leaned forward. “Theman who controls the isle gets meaner every day.”
Thane handed his brother and Artan each another hunk of bread, then motioned for them to keep watch for anyone who would interrupt them. He knew Artan would keep others away until he got the information he sought. “Who controls all?”
“Garvie,” the merchant whispered, so low Thane strained to hear him. “He’s such an evil man that he nearly killed his own wife, and she’s a beauty. The man is daft.”
