Page 55 of My Scarred Laird

“I found this note in the lady’s things. She said no’ ta worry, tha’ ye have tae much ta worry over as it is.”

Callum held his hand out, and Lachlan put the note in it, and Callum’s eyes ran over it, before he looked up at her.

“Where was this?”

Islay pursed her lips, “In my medicant chest.”

Callum’s brow lifted, “Is this the only one ye have gotten?”

She slowly shook her head, and his other eyebrow rose. “Where is the first?”

“I burned it. I willna be intimidated.”

Callum sighed, “Islay, ye need ta tell me these things.”

“‘Tis nothing.”

He shook his head, “Your safety is everything.”

Egan read the note, “Gemma wrote this.”

Islay’s eyebrows rose, “I thought she was locked away.”

Egan nodded, “Aye, she is. But she must have put this in yer room before she was.”

Islay’s eyebrows drew together, “Tha’ woman needs help. Her and her daughter.”

Callum barked out a laugh, “Egan, take Gemma ta the dungeons ta join her daughter. No’ in the same cell. Or even close ta each other, and make certain this is the only thing she was tryin’ ta do.”

Egan nodded, and left the room. Callum lifted his arm and Islay walked over to him, letting him kiss her forehead.

“Ye will tell me if ye get another note like this, willna ye?”

She nodded, “Aye.”

“Tell me about the village.”

She told him about Muriel and how welcoming she was, and everything else.

Callum sighed, “Unfortunately there are some in the village who willna let even my soldiers help them. I doona ken why they stay in a place they are so unhappy at.”

Fraser snorted, “They ken tha’ they have a place ta live, food is always available, and they are safe here. Safe because of yer soldiers.”

Callum looked over at Fraser, “Aye.”

Fraser nodded, “Aye. They doona ken if any other place would be as safe. Or if they will have food in the coming winter.”

Islay sighed, “But tha’ isna right.”

Fraser shook his head, “It isna. But Callum has worked hard ta keep us all safe, fed and taken care of. Ta everyone in the clan it is expected. But in other places, the Laird’s doona care if their villagers eat. They only care about themselves and their gain.”

Islay nodded, knowing a few of such Lairds herself.

“I just wish they would accept Callum. He has done so much for them.”

Fraser nodded, “When they need somethin’ they are willin’ ta swallow their pride and ask, but they doona care otherwise. They wish ta bring in the spoils, but no’ have ta face where they came from.”

“Maybe they need ta.”