Page 28 of The Anguish of the Scottish Lairds (Clans of Mull #3)
Eva
It had been a quiet ride from Duart Castle to Dounarwyse Castle, everyone alert to any activity going on around them. It was the middle of the night, though the moon was bright. Eva suspected that the Grants and Ramsays knew little of the trek that would take them to MacQuarie land.
But Thane knew how to get there the quickest.
Once they arrived, the group stopped to make adjustments and water the horses briefly before the next leg of their various journeys. Sloan helped Eva down, and she said, “Many thanks for your assistance.”
He gave her an odd look but said, “We’ll get him for you, Eva.”
“Well, if you do, please bring him to me so I can put an axe in his private parts.”
Sloan arched a brow but said, “I can agree to that. If he’s still alive. You realize Maitland might choke him with his bare hands.”
“Understood, but there are six of them. I have just due for that troll.”
He leaned in to kiss her cheek, but whispered, “What have you planned, my lady?”
Hellfire that he understood her that well. “Naught.” She turned away so she wouldn’t have to look him in the eye. “I don’t know what you mean.”
“Then I’m going to change the subject on you since you won’t tell me your plans. I wish for you to know that I know you refused my betrothal offer, but if you ever change your mind, the offer is still there.”
Eva immediately thought of what Lia had told her, that the one meant for her was not far away. Could it be Sloan? He was a handsome man, and he would protect her with his life. “Many thanks, Sloan, but I’m still not ready.”
“You have too many things on your mind. I understand that, but I think we would make a good couple. I would take care of you and we could travel wherever you wish to go. I love boating and I’ve always wished to see more of the Highlands. Edinburgh is lovely this time of year. We could shop for gowns or just look for books.”
Eva nearly teared up at how hard he tried to please her. “I must focus on what is most important now and it’s finding those bairns. I became quite fond of wee Grant when I met him and the thought of some evil person holding him doesn’t sit well with me. But I will consider your words another time.”
Sloan sighed and his disappointment showed in every one of his movements. He nodded and turned away. “I’ll take my leave and see you soon, I hope.”
“Oh, Sloan, look. Ingelram is here to speak with you. I’m going inside now. I’m verra tired.”
He nodded, escorting her toward the keep and not turning to Ingelram until she opened the door and stepped inside.
Damn him. Why did the man have to be so kind and thoughtful? No matter. She’d go upstairs and settle her saddlebag, then sneak out the side entrance.
She was going with the group, no matter what Lennox said. At first, she’d thought to just head out on her own, but that would have been foolish because she had no sense of direction. With her luck, she would have ended up lost in the middle of the forest with no idea where to go.
Smart enough to recognize her weaknesses, she’d get a fresh mount while the stable lads were busy brushing down the returned horses, then she’d head out without a word, hide in one of many places she knew of, and follow the group to Thane’s castle. That much she could do, and as long as they didn’t notice her until they were nearly there, they’d not send her back, especially since her dear brother and Sloan would be with the other group on Rankin land.
In fact, she decided to take Shadow along, plus a large supply of axes. Meg would never know because she was headed to Rankin land with Lennox already.
Before she left, Eva looked everywhere to talk with Alycia, to see if she’d heard anything, but they said she’d left for the evening. That didn’t surprise her because she was probably worried sick about Elvard and getting him home. She usually traveled with one guard for protection, so they’d likely left already.
Eva would tell her everything when she returned.
Finally ready, she headed down the staircase, stopped at the dog pen, giving Goldie a kiss, though she was still sleeping, then picked up Shadow. He was big enough to run on his own, if necessary, and could protect her if she was attacked. At least she hoped he would.
One stable lad noticed her saddle a horse after everyone else had left, but she said, “I’m just going to catch up with my brother and Meg.”
“Aye, my lady.” They ignored her so she moved along. Stable lads were never in on Lennox’s special instructions.
She had no trouble staying behind the group because it was such a large one. Three groups that would split at the fork, two headed west and one group to Sloan’s land. She had to admit that she’d grown quite fond of the man, something that surprised her.
How to explain to him that she wasn’t ready to marry yet, that after the situation with the creepy earl she may never marry, that she still missed her sire, that he’d chosen someone for her but he’d never said who, that she’d dreamed of traveling the world, taking boats to Europe. Riding to London. A trip to Edinburgh to shop for the finest gowns. She’d dreamed of all the things that most lasses wanted.
Eva had the sudden realization that she wasn’t like most lasses. She had some wonderful role models to thank for that. Meg had found her own way and was living her best life, even if it was with Eva’s brother.
Eli with Alaric, a lass who could fire an arrow and hit someone in the heart with one try. Dyna, also a great archer, a lass chieftain of her clan, a seer, and probably the woman Eva admired most. Although she had to admit, her mother had impressed her when Dermot had attacked her verbally.
Mama had fire in her blood too.
But something else had surprised her at Duart Castle. She’d learned to love bairns, their innocence, their smiles, even their trust. Protecting Sylvi and Alana had given her so much pride in what she’d done.
Eva MacVey had proven herself useful, with her mind, her heart, and thus was not about to allow the bastard who attacked her to get away.
She was after blood. The blood of a man who dared to touch her, who had hit her and treated her like she was the dung on his boot or the smallest insect crawling in the dirt.
Perhaps the earl was untouchable, but the foul man was not.
He was going to pay for that mistake, and she’d not stop until she found him.