Sloan snorted. “No one has enough soldiers to oversee the island. Only King Robert could drum up that many men. No one on the isle is large enough. Together, we don’t have enough men to take over all the clans.”
“I told you he was daft, did I not?” MacClane gave him an exasperated look that nearly made Lennox smile. But there was more to this story. They all knew that MacDougall could attempt to seize control of the clans, but without the necessary number of trained guards, it was impossible. But any attack could still cost each of them some men. “Lennox, what the hell are we going to do?”
“Neil, MacDougall doesn’t have enough men to conquer Duart Castle, much less MacQuarie Castle.”
His mother stood, something unusual. “There is something else. Everyone knows that King Robert instructed the Ramsays to assume control of Duart Castle. There are two leaders of their guards—one is a Grant and the other a Ramsay. The Grants have a thousand men and the Ramsays another five hundred, which is why King Robert called on them. It would be a death sentence to strive to capture Duart Castle. There is more to this, and I wish to know what it is.”
Lennox, surprised to see his mother participate, knew that she was as concerned as MacClane. Why, however, was his current question. What had triggered his mother to do the unthinkable and speak her mind in a chieftains’ meeting?
The door opened with a bang, and a large man filled the doorway, his gray hair tied back with a leather thong.
Lennox nearly stood but stayed in his seat because his mother greeted the intruder before he could get his feet on the ground. She crossed her arms and nodded to the man. “Logan Ramsay. What the hell brings you here?”
“We have a problem, Rut. MacDougall plans to take over the isle, but in a way no one will suspect. And he’s going afterMacQuarie first.”
Chapter Thirty-Five
Tamsin
Tamsin had to admit that the sweet kiss she’d shared with Thane had set her heart soaring in a manner she’d never felt before.
She sat at a trestle table in the great hall, the group just finishing their meal made by the new cook they hired, and it had been wonderful. Tamsin had helped the lass add some spices and made a fruit tart on her own, and the group had enjoyed the sweet treat immensely.
It was time to move on.
After they finished and the bairns moved to their play area, Maitland said, “You are heading home on the morrow, Thane. How can we be of assistance to you? Oh, and bring your mare along on the next trip. I think the stallions will be settled by then.” He chuckled at the expression of gratitude on Thane’s face.
Thane said, “Much appreciation for that, Maitland. And I will bring a mare or two next time. I’ll allow you to choose which will be the lucky one.”
Dyna said, “Midnight Moon will choose. Don’t worry. We’ve already had to pull Golden Gwyn away from him. He’s getting randy.”
Eli turned to Tamsin, bringing all the eyes to her. “What are your plans, Tamsin? I know you would like to gain your daughter back. How do you propose to do that? Have you some ideas?”
She didn’t speak the words that popped into her mind—multiple choices.
I’ll swim to her.
I’ll hire someone. Whatever it takes.
I’ll stick a dagger in my husband’s eye, then kick him in the bollocks.
“I was going to ask if you had suggestions. As far as the law goes, since he tried to kill me twice, would I be able to walk away from the marriage? It would seem only right.”
Maitland said, “Law goes with the husband, I’m afraid. If he wished to claim you again, he can. Mayhap I could speak with him, or Thane could approach him and see which way the bully is leaning. Thane’s conversation could carry more weight, since he was a witness to both events. Your thoughts, Thane?”
Magni raced over into the middle of the group and said, “I forgot to tell you all something.” The look on his face made Tamsin wish to hug him and tell him everything would be all right. It was fear unlike any she’d witnessed before.
Magni had everyone’s attention, so he began his tale, “When I…I mean, when we got away from Garvie the first time, we got on a boat and hid in the forest. Lia’s dress was green so we could hide really well, but while we were there, we saw two men talking …” The lad stopped to take a breath before he could continue.
“I saw two men, and they were talking about how they were going to take over the isle. That they wished to kill all the chieftains. They’re traitors, are they not, Thane? Could you not hang them for trying to plan something like that?”
“Aye, they would be traitors to their country because King Robert sent us here in his name. Tell us exactly what you heard, lad,” Maitland said, standing and taking two steps closer to Magni.
Alaric leaned forward, squeezing Eli’s hand, just as the door banged open, making them all jump.
Magni took one look at the intruder and screamed, “That’s him! That’s the traitor!”
Chapter Thirty-Six
