Chapter Twenty-Three
Meg
Dawn arrived before she knew it. How was she certain?
Because of all the activity in the hall. Guards stuffed their faces with bread and porridge, their banter light and friendly, but there was something else.
The bairns were back and you could feel the happiness, the excitement, but also the tension. Magni bounced about, hugging people and giggling, but Meg could also tell when something stopped the poor lad in his excitement. Lia was not back yet. Tora didn’t move far from her mother, and Rowan’s parents had arrived, and he refused to leave his uncle’s side.
Meg had awakened early and washed, dressing in a lovely pair of soft trews that Eli had called leggings . She’d never seen anything like them before for a lass, but Eli promised her that all the women in her clan wore them at some time. She’d also given Meg the finest tunic she’d ever worn, made of a deep blue that she adored, along with an extra tunic in a rich brown.
Eternally grateful for all they’d done for her, Meg thanked Eli many times, especially after changing her bandage and giving her an extra one along with a supply of ointment to put on her wound. Eli waved her away with a smile.
Meg hadn’t spoken to anyone in the hall because the men were busy deciding who was going where, what horses, which ship, which guards. Listening to the strategics of such a big operation fascinated her, but even after she’d heard it all, she was still bothered.
Would they be able to find wee Lia?
She knew there were other issues—Ellis, the kirk, the men who wished to take over the isle—but her mind was on a sweet lass who’d never hurt the tiniest insect.
Meg had the urge to go after Lia on her own because she feared she might be forgotten amid the clan’s worries. If she only knew where that loch was located—but if Lennox didn’t know where it was, how would she?
She sat in a chair by the hearth, finishing her porridge, when Rut joined her. They were the only two by the fire, so she greeted Lennox’s mother warmly. “Good day to you, my lady.”
“Good morn to you. Are you going to return with us to our castle, Meg? You are more than welcome, and with all the Grant guards here, Eli and Dyna have more than they can handle, I fear. It would be much quieter where we are, and we have a lovely view of the sound.”
“I’ll consider it, surely, but I’d like to ask you a question, my lady. I’m not sure how to address your son.”
Rut waved a hand at her. “He’s not your chieftain, so just call him Lennox. He won’t mind. Don’t pay attention to anyone else.”
“I did notice the trestle tables were full this morn at dawn. Are they not usually this busy?”
“Nay, Connor Grant brought all the guards to help find Tora. They’re from the Highlands, and they will deliver just due for what was done to Tora. Connor and Alasdair will find the fools who dared to touch Connor’s granddaughter.” She leaned closer to Meg. “The villains should be running, if they have brains in their heads. Alasdair and Connor are both big, powerful warriors, if you ask me. How I’d love to be there when they find the fools.”
Meg caught the glitter of appreciation in the older woman’s eyes, something odd. She had much to learn about the world, having been hidden in her small village all her life. “Is Lennox on good terms with the clan where Eli thinks my sister is?”
“He is. He’ll be glad to take you there, though I would bet Thane will bring your sister here once he learns of your arrival. I would wager he is on his way to check on things, probably with his men only, but I think he’ll come to our clan first. Magni and Lia did stay with them for quite a while. Thane is the one who saved them from… Well, from the idiots who held him on Ulva. Anyway, our clan is closer, so he usually stops to visit with us before coming all the way to Duart Point.”
Meg considered this, glancing around at the activity in the hall. “If Eli and Lennox agree, I will be pleased to come with you.”
“You may have your own chamber up on the balcony next to Lennox’s chamber. He’ll protect you, fear not.”
Meg had an idea that her own chamber would be larger than the one her parents had slept in forever. This was a different world on Mull.
Rut reached for her hand. “Besides. I overheard you talking with Lennox about some loch, but he didn’t know of it. My Douglas loved maps. We have maps of all the isles and most of Scotland. If you wish to find that loch, I’m sure my daughter Eva could help you. She was here but she returned home. She was hoping to meet you.”
A large group of guards rose from the trestle tables, some flirting with the serving lasses, some heading out the door, while Logan and the two Grant chieftains spoke near the hearth. Lennox came toward them. He greeted his mother, then said, “And how do you fare this morn, Meg?”
“Better, thank you, Lennox. Are you leaving this morn?”
“Aye, we will head out in about half the hour. I’m giving the Grants access to the stables first so they can make their way to the ferry. Sloan has taken his leave. We will go next. If you wish, you may stay here with Eli and Dyna. I’ll return for you on the morrow.”
“Oh,” Meg said, unsure of how to make her request. “Would it be acceptable for me to travel with you to Dounarwyse Castle? Duart Castle seems a bit crowded, and your mother thought Thane might stop on your land first. I would love to ask him questions about my sister. And—”
“And I told her Eva would love to meet her. Do you have any problems with that, Lennox?” His mother interrupted Meg, something she wasn’t expecting.
Lennox appeared surprised, but then shook his head, though his expression was one of a calculating person, Meg thought.
“Nay, I don’t mind, though I will be on patrol myself.” He glanced from his mother back to Meg, his eyes narrowed.
Rut said, “I’ll keep Meg busy, and Doiron can help with her bandages. Eli and Dyna have enough worries. That settles it. My saddlebag is by the door, Lennox. I’ll help Meg gather her belongings.”
Meg couldn’t help but recognize that Lennox’s mother had manipulated him rather well, making sure she got her way concerning where Meg was going next.
If she were being honest, she was happy to go to Lennox’s home because she felt safe around him. Not that she didn’t feel safe here with all the Grant guards milling about, but she knew Lennox. She trusted him. He’d helped her when she was lost. That had to mean something.
Not to mention that she wished to explore her feelings toward him a bit more. She’d never had a man’s presence affect her so. Her heartbeat sped up, her palms sweated, and her mind moved slower than ever, her thoughts jumbled whenever he was near.
But those feelings switched to ones of worry soon enough. The urgency over Lia took over so she forced herself to listen to the groups in the hall again. Emotions were high, disagreements arose frequently, and everyone had strong opinions about what to do next, where to go. They spoke of the kirk, of the men who chased them, of the baron, of the man who planned to take over the isle.
There was one name she wasn’t hearing, and it bothered her. She was so upset about it that she concluded that perhaps it was best to handle it herself.
Finding Lia.
The lass’s name was not mentioned much, and Meg was worried. The lass did seem to be a different type, but regardless, she was only five summers old, and she was out there, and no one knew where. Lennox had said he was going on patrol, but where exactly?
Someone had to go after wee Lia. Meg had healed and rested enough. Perhaps it was time for her to go after the lass herself, if she just could determine exactly where Loch Aline was.
It seemed the place with the maps would be a great start.
And while a small part of her wished to rush to the other side of the isle to locate her sister, she knew that finding Lia had to come first. If she met Thane, mayhap she could convince him to go after Lia with her. Once Lia was found, Meg would run to Tamsin’s side.
Lennox looked to Meg and asked, “Is this agreeable with you, lass?”
“Aye, I would like to see your home, and I could also—”
“Meet Eva and possibly Thane too.” Rut cut her right off, of that much she was certain. So, the real question was, why didn’t Rut wish to discuss the maps in front of her son?
What was the woman planning?