Page 22 of The Anguish of the Scottish Lairds (Clans of Mull #3)

Sloan

Sloan escorted his sire out to where Ingelram waited. “He’s ready to go home. I’m going on to Clan Grantham.”

“Mayhap I should go with you,” his sire said, looking at him with hope in his eyes.

“Da, it’s nearly dark. You won’t be awake for but another hour. Go eat your evening meal. You look tired. It’s been a long day.”

“You staying more than an hour?”

“Aye, Da. And it’s an hour away from MacVey’s, so I have a bit to travel home too. I may stay at MacVey’s if it’s late.”

“I’ll see you on the morrow, son.”

Hell, his father never called him by that name.

Once they left, two more guards going with them, Sloan headed back inside to speak with Lennox.

And to say goodbye to Eva and give her the gift he brought. He’d set it aside somewhere in the hall. He had to admit his heart had sped up when she’d launched herself at him. Damn, but she fit his arms perfectly. How he wished she would reconsider his proposal. He had to settle for small pleasures, having her softness and her sweet scent in his arms if only for a short time. He’d savor that memory for a while.

He stepped inside and strode straight for Rut. “Lady MacVey, my sincerest apologies to you and Eva for my sire’s rudeness.”

Rut waved a hand at him. “Your father misses Ailis. Your mother was the sweetest woman I ever had the pleasure of knowing, so I understand. Forget it, Sloan. But let me take the opportunity to thank you for helping my daughter.”

“It was my honor.” He gave her a short bow. “My father sorely misses your husband too. They were fast friends.”

“They were,” she said, her eyes misting briefly. “I miss him too.”

Lennox and Meg came down the stairs, dressed for the festivities if Sloan were to guess. Lennox said, “Heading to Grantham land?”

“Aye. I was hoping to go. I sent my old man off with Ingelram and he went willingly. My apologies to you too, Lennox. Meg, you look lovely, as always.”

Meg blushed, whispering, “My thanks.” He could tell she was not accustomed to compliments.

Lennox said, “I think Eva is considering going with us. She’s readying herself and should be down shortly.”

Sloan forced himself not to get excited over that possibility. A moment later, her door opened, and she descended the stairs, wearing the leggings and tunic that were probably a gift from Dyna or Eli. And she wore them well.

“You aren’t going?” Lennox asked her. “I’d hoped you’d come along. Get out of the keep.”

“I am, but I feel the need to be completely covered. Dyna won’t mind.”

Rut said, “Nay, she won’t. And I don’t either. You are prepared to ride your own horse, lass?”

Eva blushed, something Sloan rarely saw. “Nay, I was hoping I could ride with you, Sloan. Are you going? Would you allow it? I’m afraid …”

Lennox glanced over at him, and Sloan did his best to hide his surprise, but he said, “Say no more, lass. I’d be happy to escort you, and just a ride. I understand.”

“My thanks, Sloan. I do need to get out of the hall. Mama and Lennox are right.”

Meg said, “Tamsin and Thane are going. I’m excited to see everyone. I heard there will be minstrels.”

Lennox added, “And Connor Grant already has over a hundred guards around the castle and in the forests. I’m not worried.”

Rut gave her daughter a hug and a kiss and said, “Go and enjoy yourselves. I’ll be waiting for you here.”

Eva glanced up at Sloan with those blue eyes that had a way of squeezing his heart and said, “I’m ready, Sloan.”

“Lennox, we’ll be right out. Eva,” he said, grabbing the wrapped parcel. “I brought these for you. If I recall, you used to enjoy reading when you were young. Marta and Sheona helped me choose them for you.”

Eva, excited to open a true gift, took the package over to the nearest table and set it down, untying the twine. “Sloan, you didn’t need to bring me a gift.” She pulled it open and nearly teared up. Inside were two books, both in lovely bindings. “These are exquisite.” She thumbed through the first one, skimming in spots, and was surprised at how interesting it looked. If she stayed home, she’d have something to do.

“This was unnecessary.”

“I thought it might help keep your mind off other … things.”

Her mother turned her back and moved over toward the fire. Eva stood up on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek. “Many thanks to you. It’s a lovely gift, and I will treasure both.”

Then she smiled, and it took every bit of control he had not to lean down and kiss her the way her rosy lips should be kissed, but he knew she was not ready for that. So, he set his hand on her back and ushered her out the door, Lennox and Meg following.

“Bye, Mama!”

If Sloan turned around, he was certain he’d see tears in Rut MacVey’s eyes. It was on his honor this eve to escort Eva, treat her well, but mostly, help her get past the nightmare that had happened but a few days ago.

The horses were all saddled and ready, so he said, “May I lift you or would you prefer your brother?”

She pointed to his chest, which nearly made it explode, but he did as requested and lifted her onto his horse and mounted behind her. They set out for Clan Grantham, Eva settled in front of him, and he was pleased to see that she did indeed trust him because she didn’t hold her back rigid like some lasses do, instead leaning against his chest, taking in his heat, if he were to guess.

“Don’t worry, lass. I’ll protect you with my life. You’ll be safe with me.”

He had a sudden inkling that made him question the truth of that statement. What the hell could happen?

***

As soon as they approached Duart Castle, Eva tipped her head back to Sloan and said, “Oh my. There are so many guards in red plaids. Are they all Grant guards?”

“I see a few Ramsay guards. They are in blue plaids, and the other plaids? I believe those belong to Clan Menzie. I heard Maitland’s parents had arrived with a number of guards too. It’s quite a group.”

“Is that your brother?” Eva pointed to a man standing by the stables, helping with the horses as more arrived.

Sloan couldn’t believe his eyes, but there was Rinaldo fiddling with the horses. Hell, the fool couldn’t help his own brother, but here he was assisting strangers. And he was as polite and sweet as ever. “Greetings, Rinaldo. I wondered where you were.” He waved his brother over, though Rinaldo made the mistake of reaching for Eva, who quickly denied his request to help her down, instead waiting for Sloan. He dismounted, handed the reins to his brother, and lowered Eva to the ground as carefully as he could.

“Greetings to you, my lady.” He nodded to Eva, smiling that innocent Rinaldo smile. “I’m glad you came after the troubles you’ve had.”

“Enough, Rinaldo.” Sloan hated to have to plant his fist in his brother’s face in front of a crowd, but if he said one more insulting comment to Eva, he would, brother or not.

Eva nodded and walked away from him, something Sloan needed to do more often. Glancing around, he was glad to see more guards posted on the wall than usual and a number checking all guests. They were waved on, so he ushered Eva into the great hall as quickly as he could.

“Eva, if you need anything from me this eve, please let me know.”

“My thanks, Sloan. You are forever the gentleman, and I do appreciate it. I think I may choose to visit with Maeve and the bairns for a bit. And I may have a chat with Dyna, though she’s probably busy at the moment.”

They stepped inside, Lennox and Meg directly behind them. Meg swooned. “Oh, the decorations are lovely, are they not, Eva?”

Eva looked at the greenery over both hearths, at the blue ribbons on the staircase, and the flowers on the tables, all multicolored, just as their summers were. “It is beautiful.”

Meg saw her sister, so she took Eva’s hand and said, “Come, I wish for you to chat with Tamsin and me.”

Eva went with her, a smile on her face. Lennox moved closer to Sloan and pointed over to a table. “Look, I see a lass with my favorite amber liquid. Alycia, I’ll have two of those.”

Alycia joined them, curtsying to Lennox. “Here you go, my lord. Many thanks for allowing me to work here this eve.”

“That’s up to my mother, lass, but there are so many here that I’m sure the Grants appreciate your help. Make sure you speak with Eva. She’s over by the fire with Meg.”

Alycia headed in that direction.

Connor and Maitland both joined them. “Good eve to you both and many thanks for joining us,” Maitland said. “You’ll be eating fine this eve. Dyna and Eli took a huge deer down together. Alaric and Derric had a time getting it back here with just the two of them.”

“Meat pies?” Sloan asked.

“In three flavors. Lamb, venison, and a few beef. And Derric went fishing with my father, so we have a delicious fish stew. It’s terrific.”

Sloan lowered his voice, but he had to ask, “Have you seen anything or anyone questionable?”

Maitland said, “Nay, have you?”

Sloan shook his head but then said, “Nay, just an inkling.”

Connor said, “You and my daughter and my wife. I don’t like all these inklings one bit.”

“And Maeve,” Maitland said. “I wish I could make the fear leave her.”

As if on cue, Maeve headed straight for them, wee Grant on her hip with a grin as he watched all the activity in the hall. Lia and Magni were on either side of her while Tora and Sylvi ran over to visit with Alana and Tamsin.

Sloan said, “With a protector like Lia, I think you should worry less.”

“Why do you say that?” Lennox asked. “I thought you didn’t believe in seers and all that, Rankin?”

He took a swig of his drink and said, “The only one who has ever been able to sway me is that lass coming toward us. Her devotion to the lad, the words that come from her tell me she is different.”

Maitland said, “Say more. I like to hear the opinion of someone on the isle. Do you have faeries here?”

“After hearing everything about her finding Magni, and with Thane’s parents and Kilchoan, Lennox, I’ve begun to think differently. I don’t know exactly what she is, but I’ll tell you one thing.”

“What?” Connor asked.

“Whoever dares to touch that laddie of yours, Menzie, better run as fast and as far as they can. And she’ll still get them.”

Maitland wiped the sweat from his brow. “I can only pray you are correct.”

Connor clasped Maitland’s shoulder. “I agree wholeheartedly with Sloan. Have you truly watched the lass? Look at her now. She’s not much larger than a toddler, yet she’s standing next to Grant and studying every person in the hall as if they were an imminent threat. My sire would tell you she’s like the most well-trained guard he’s ever seen.”

Sloan took a swallow of his drink and nodded. “Interesting point of view, Connor. And I’ll make you feel even better about it, Maitland. When that lass decides to hurt someone, it’s not going to be with a fist, an arrow, or a sword. It’ll be a force unlike any we’ve ever seen.”

And if she ever did, Sloan hoped he’d bear witness to that power.