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Raven invited them all to sit and Arne drew up two comfortable tapestry-covered chairs for himself and Maxwell.

At that moment the door flew open and Muriel entered with young Thorsten at her side. She curtseyed to Maxwell and bent to speak to the wean. “D’ye see yer uncle Maxwell?”

“Aye! ‘ello Uncle Maxwell!, he giggled.

Maxwell was at the door in two strides, scooping up his little nephew and spinning him off his tiny feet. “Och, hello little lad!” Thorsten laughed with delight, but when Maxwell handed the wean back to his nursemaid there was the beginning of a wail.

“Come now,” Muriel fussed. “Dinnae cry wee laddie. I’ll take ye tae the kitchen tae see if cook has a sweetmeat fer ye.”

Thorsten’s little face lit up at the mention of sweetmeats and he happily toddled out the door clutching his nursemaid’s hand.

Maxwell chuckled. “He’s growing into a fine wee lad.”

Smiling, Raven turned to Arne. “Has me braither told ye the story of how these two escaped from Dunrobin Castle and made their way across land and sea tae reach the safety of Castle Kiessimul at last?”

Arne shook his head. “He has told me very little. Our chief concern is with the whereabouts of Everard and his men and their mission tae Dunrobin Castle in search of Maxwell.”

Aileen hitched in a sharp breath at Arne’s words, her eyes meeting Maxwell’s in alarm.

He raised a finger, glancing at Raven’s and Arne’s anxious faces. “Dinnae fash, Everard can outmatch wits with Sutherland. I dinnae fear fer him.” Although he spoke with confidence, he was well aware that Sutherland was a cunning and formidable foe. If Everard was, indeed, at Dunrobin Castle, there was much cause for concern.

A servant entered the room with a flagon of ale and four mugs, which Arne took from him and placed on the table, pouring the ale in each of them and handing around the tankards.

“Let us drink tae yer continued good health,” he raised his tankard.

Maxwell got to his feet. “Thank ye, braither. And let us drink tae the safety of our laird.” He raised his mug. “Slàinte mhath.”

As they sipped the ale, both Aileen and Maxwell related the most salient details of their story, discreetly leaving out all mention of their lovemaking and the closeness that had built between them.

Arne’s face clouded. “Sutherland is clearly a dangerous rogue. From what ye’ve told us, he’ll stop at naught to achieve his ends. And now it seems his ships are sailing in waters close to the Isle of Barra.”

Maxwell combed his fingers through his hair. “I cannae stand by now that I ken what Everard has done. If he has been captured by Sutherland, we must dae everything in our power to release him before it’s too late.” He glanced at Aileen, whose face was white as a seagull’s wing, her hands plucking nervously at her skirt.

“What say ye, milady?”

“I can only agree. If the laird has fallen into the clutches of Andrew Sutherland he is in dire peril.” She looked from Arne to Raven. “Can ye send yer spies tae find out? Me thought is that some of Sutherland’s men are biding close by, mayhap even at Canna. Are there lads who can sail to the Small Isle and make discreet enquiries?”

All three nodded. “Aye. That can be done at once.”

Maxwell was already walking toward the door. “I’ll consult with Ranald Dunbar. There will be men among his troops who can sail tae Canna and back in less than a day.”

Arne hastened after him. “If Everard has been taken prisoner, by tomorrow we will have news of it.”

They headed fer the boathouse where they met with Dunbar. He was quick to name two of his men who could take on the role of fishermen and sail tae the Isle of Canna and back with all speed. After giving the orders, Maxwell went back to the solar to speak with Aileen, who greeted him with an anxious smile.

Not wishing to alarm Raven any more than was necessary, he suggested to Aileen that he could show her the castle.

Raven looked up, a twinkle in her eye. “Of course, ye wish to spend some time together.”

They took the stairs to the battlements, Maxwell leading the way.

It was a fine, sunny day despite the chill wind blowing in from the sea, and in the clear air they had a good view of the entrance to the bay and beyond, to the sea.

“Our men will be on the Island of Canna before nightfall.”

Aileen gave a sigh of approval. “If Sutherland or his men are on the island, it will be nay secret. The men ye’ve sent will need onlytae fall intae conversation with any of the island folk tae find out where he is and how many men he has.”

“Aye.” Maxwell scanned the horizon, squinting into the distance. Aileen, by his side did the same, turning her head to obtain a view of the inner harbor as well.