“Magni, we’re going to take her inside and have Agnes change her into dry clothing. Then we’re heading to Duart Castle. Are you ready for a journey?”
“Aye, Chief. And Lia too.”
“And Magni? Great eyes. I don’t know if I would have noticed her. You’ve saved a life today, lad. I’m proud of you. We’ll meet you in the keep.”
“Aye, Chief.” The lad beamed, his brown hair wild from the sea breeze, but his smile lit up his face. Thane was pleased to have found the two cherubs, but now he had to focus on Tamsin.
He had to get her to Eli Grant at Clan Grantham.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Eli
Eli rubbed her hands together in front of the hearth. Hellfire, but it had all seemed too real.
Dyna came up behind her, handing her a goblet of wine. “This bottle is from the ones Maitland found in the cellar the first day. It is fine wine, and the wee ones are in bed, so it is time to enjoy it. You are done hunting, right?”
“Aye,” she said, taking the goblet a wee bit too anxiously. She took two huge gulps of the fragrant liquid. It tasted better than it smelled, of that she was certain.
Dyna arched a brow and took a seat in front of the hearth. “You must still think it was Logan.”
“I do! I cannot get it out of my mind. How I wish you had been there, Dyna. Alaric wasn’t looking in the right place. He never saw him, and I’m not sure he would have recognized him if he had seen him.” She set her goblet on a nearby table and fell into the chair with a flop.
“It is difficult to be certain of someone’s identity if you only see their back.”
“But I know Grandsire. I know his walk, the way he sits his horse. It was him.”
“It surely is possible. Logan has been known to show up at the oddest places at the strangest times. Grandsire said they called him the wanderer when he was young because he would take off and not tell anyone. They never knew where he was or when he would return. But I think he always has his reasons for his adventures, so that brings up the question—why do you think he would be here?” Dyna asked, taking another sip of her wine before she sat down, crossing her legs.
“I don’t know.” Eli’s grandparents had disappeared in late spring after she had married Alaric. Her grandmother washaving a terrible time with her knee, unable to stop the pus from draining and causing intense pain. After visiting and being treated by various healers, she’d given up and said she was leaving, going to die in peace with Grandsire. She wished to die privately.
That was the last time Eli had seen them. Grandsire had said he would be back, so it was possible he could be here on the isle. Her grandmother was probably dead, though it pained her much to think on it. “You know I named my mare Golden Gwyn.”
“Aye, it’s a fine name. No reason to change it. Mayhap you should name your horse Gwynie. That would bring your grandfather back, would it not?”
Dyna’s slanted grin told Eli she knew the tale as much as she did. Her grandsire, Logan Ramsay, had always called his wife Gwynie. But he would not allow anyone else to use that name. “So true, Dyna. Cadyn tried to call her that once, and Grandsire nearly threw him across the hall.”
Warm thoughts brought her back to her beloved grandmother. She surely had passed on. Aunt Brenna and Aunt Jennie had both said there was naught more they could do for her. But what about her grandfather? Where had he gone? Would he return to Ramsay land?
“It makes no sense. There is absolutely no reason for him to be here, and if he were, he would visit.”
Maitland came along and said, “I couldn’t help but overhear your conversation. I agree. Logan would visit. I don’t envision him hiding out from any of us. If he were on Mull, he would be here. I think your mind is telling you what you wish the truth was.”
Eli sighed, refusing to let a tear loose. They were right, she knew it, but it still hurt. “I know you speak the truth. I’m always hopeful. I’ve wished and prayed for them both to return, but it is not to be.”
The door opened and Alaric shouted, “Eli, Tamsin is back.”
“Oh, my goodness. How bad?” Eli asked, bolting out of her chair and nearly spilling her wine.
“It looks bad. Ready the chamber, and I’ll help MacQuarie get her in here.”
Eli hurried into her chamber after telling Murreal all she would need. Hot water, goat’s milk if they had any, along with many linen squares. And she hoped Tamsin could take some broth.
Dyna said, “I’ll go with you. My guess is that this won’t be pretty because this is his second attack. Thane saved her before, so I’m guessing the bully made certain she wouldn’t survive this time.”
“Then Thane’s saved her again? Or did he set him up?” Eli couldn’t imagine having to deal with all poor Tamsin had to deal with. She would surely stick a blade in her husband’s heart when he was sleeping, or mayhap somewhere else. Her grin at the thought caught Dyna.
Dyna laughed. “I know what you are thinking, and I would do the same. Right in his private parts.”
