Page 14 of The Anguish of the Scottish Lairds (Clans of Mull #3)

Sloan

Sloan’s mouth went dry as he crossed the hall to greet Eva. Looking as beautiful as ever, she played with wee Grant and the lad was totally taken with her, giggling and kicking like she was the most wonderful person on the planet.

Lucky lad.

“Greetings to you, Eva.”

“Greetings, my lord,” she said, not making eye contact.

Sloan reached for her chin and lifted her gaze to his, mostly because he was selfish. This close to her, he wished to see her beautiful blue eyes up close. They carried a mystery to them, some parts the color of the bright sky, other sections the shade of the darkest night. Which would it be this day? “I am not my lord or chief or anything to you. I am just Sloan.”

She nodded. “Greetings, Sloan.”

He noticed how comfortable she appeared to be with the laddie, handling him as if he belonged to her. “You’re verra good with the lad. I didn’t know you had much experience with bairns.”

“I don’t, but I’m learning. He is a sweet, happy lad, isn’t he?”

“He is. His parents adore him.” Sloan couldn’t help but wonder if there was ever a day when his father had adored him.

“What exactly do you want, Sloan? I don’t think you came here to chat about a bairn.” She lifted her chin a notch to let him know that she wasn’t going to change her mind, if he were to guess.

He hadn’t expected her to. “I had a visit from your brother. Have you spoken to him yet about my offer?”

“Your offer of a betrothal? Aye, I did. I refused. It’s just that I’m not ready for marriage yet. Too much has happened. I know it’s been two years, but I still miss my sire terribly. I always thought he would be here when I married. Please don’t be offended.”

He took a seat and rested his elbows on his knees, leaning toward the lad. “Do you have someone else in mind?”

“Nay. I’m just not ready yet.” She set the boy in his boat and handed him a soft toy to play with, one that he swung about until he hit himself in the head, then giggled.

“Good thing it’s not a wooden toy.”

She laughed at that. “He’s a wee bit silly.”

He wasn’t going to drag this out and make it any more painful than it already was. “Eva, I turned your brother’s offer down.”

“My brother’s offer?” She sat back so she could look up at him, the expression on her face one of total confusion. “What was my brother’s offer?”

“Your brother told me he accepted my offer for you, that you didn’t want it, but he was certain you would change your mind. He accepted on your behalf, and I said I only wanted you if you were willing. I am not interested in a forced marriage.”

“He what?” Widened eyes told him that Eva had no idea what Lennox had promised. “He said I would marry you? And when was this wedding to take place?”

“Undecided.” Sloan held up his palm to her. “No need to panic, Eva. As I told you, I rejected it. I thought we might take the time to see if we do suit, but out of respect for your brother and your blood, I offered a betrothal. I’m sorry you are not interested, but since you rejected me, I want to be clear that I’m not interested in anything unless you are willing.”

Her hands kneaded in her lap for a few moments before she spoke again. “My thanks, Sloan.”

Sloan watched the woman he’d hoped to marry, the lass he believed he loved, the one he’d hoped to bless them with bairns, the one who would stand on the coastline with him and watch sunsets. But it wasn’t to be, something that bothered him more than he cared to admit, the truth of her rejection evident in her lovely features.

Eva was not interested in him, the expression on her face more painful than he’d expected it to be. She had no feelings for him at all.

Her mind was surely spinning with all that he’d told her, and no doubt they were not happy thoughts. “I’m sorry. I assumed you knew of it.”

She shook her head, tears misting her gaze, but she was able to contain them.

Maeve entered from the kitchens and said, “Many thanks to you, Eva. I’ll watch him. I might take him outside for a wee walk inside the curtain wall, see if we can find his father.”

“It was my pleasure, Maeve, but I must take my leave.” She nodded to Maeve, then to Sloan, and retrieved her mantle, heading out the door faster than anyone he’d ever seen.

Maeve asked, “Did I say something to upset her?”

“Nay, I did. She’s fine. I’ll follow her out,” he said. “Is Logan here?”

“He left but said he’d be back within an hour. He should be back soon,” she said, lifting her son.

“He’s a big boy, Maeve. He’s growing like the thistles on a sunny day in summer.”

“He is.”

Sloan took his leave, keeping a distance behind Eva. He could see he’d upset her, and she was probably headed back to yell at her brother, but that was none of his business. How would he have guessed that Lennox would not have told her that he’d promised for her?

Eva motioned to one of her guards and the man retrieved her horse as they readied to take their leave. Just what he’d expected. They opened the gates for her, surprised to hear some bellowing on the other side.

But Sloan was more distracted by what he saw out of the corner of his eye. His brother. “Rinaldo?”

He moved over to the area behind one of the stables, a group of guards discussing something. “Rinaldo. What are you doing here?”

Broc said, “Listen, Rankin. We are not trying to be disrespectful, but we cannot give you any guards at this time. My uncle is considering bringing more Grant guards across the water. We have none to spare with all that is happening.”

“I don’t understand,” Sloan said, his gaze going from his innocent-looking brother to Broc and then the others.

“Rinaldo is looking for guards. Did you not send him here?” Broc asked.

Rinaldo said, “Sloan asked me, but I must have misunderstood. I’m going home now, Sloan.”

Rinaldo found his horse and disappeared before Sloan could stop him. “Broc, I did not send him here.”

Broc said to the others, “Head to the lists. I’ll meet you there.” Once the other guards were out of hearing distance, he said, “Your brother changes like the wind.”

Sloan tipped his head, confused by Broc’s comment. “I’m not sure I understand.”

“One moment he is acting seriously about hiring guards, and the next moment he acts like he has no idea what he was just doing. Is he usually that way?”

“Nay.” Sloan wished to ask for more of an explanation, but he caught Logan’s voice at the gate. He’d have to deal with Rinaldo at home.

“Is Rankin here? I need to see him.”

The guard said, “Aye, by the stable.”

Logan approached with his wife. Once they came inside and Eva’s group departed, Logan caught his eye and said, “Hold up, Rankin. I have news for you.”

Sloan waited, anxious to hear what his news was. Logan helped his wife down and then arranged her new contraption so she could walk inside on her own.

“That’s quite a creation. Who made it?” Sloan asked, impressed.

“My niece and her husband. Brigid brought it with her.”

“Logan, I’m going inside. Tell Sloan what we’ve learned.” Gwyneth cast a glance Sloan’s way and said, “I don’t like any of it.”

She went toward the keep, Brigid coming around the side of the castle and joining her mother. Logan pointed to an area where they could speak privately.

“The man said you’ll not be attacked soon. There’s someone not far from Kilchoan who is planning to take over the isle but not in the next couple of moons. They’re busy gathering forces now. You need not worry, but then he also said there is some fool, who no one believes has the necessary forces, who plans to attack you first, then battle the other clans, but the man on Kilchoan said he doubts the other has the abilities. Says the man is daft.” Logan crossed his arms and studied Sloan before he finished. “That’s not what worries me.”

“There’s worse?” Sloan couldn’t imagine what could be worse, but he needed to hear it, whatever it was.

“Aye. He says there are men who are looking for two things.”

“Things or people?”

“More specifically? Bairns. They want the faery who can grant wishes and the lad who has some special powers. Know you who that could be?”

“Obviously, Lia is the faery, but who is the lad? I have no idea. Magni? Rowan? Sandor? Which one has special powers? Could it be Sandor because his mother is a seer?”

“Or is it the bairn?”

Sloan hadn’t thought of that. “The bairn? Why?”

“The darkness, the … Oh, I don’t know how to explain it, but I think the lad with the powers is Grant.”

“Grant? Not Sandor?”

“Not Sandor. I’m not sure why I say it, but I believe they’re after Lia and Grant,” Logan said. “I’ll give you a few coins if you do me a favor.”

“I’ll do a favor for you without the coins. No need to pay me.”

“You won’t think so when I tell you what the task is.”

“Tell me and I’ll tell you what I think,” Sloan said.

“Tell Maitland and Maeve there’s a group of bad men at Kilchoan who are coming for their son.”

Sloan took two steps back. He’d done many distasteful tasks over the years, but not this one. “Nay. Not doing it. See you later, Logan. Thanks for the update. I’ll let MacVey know.”

One of the lads was also special.

But was it Magni, Sandor, or Grant?

It was Grant. Hellfire.