Chapter Forty
Lennox
Lennox waited for Tamsin to come down the staircase. He was still in shock that Meg had fallen asleep and not joined them for the evening meal.
Then Lia said, “We should not forget all that poor Meg has been through. Promised in marriage to a man she didn’t approve of, running away, finding four bairns who needed her help, putting an axe in a man who chased us, getting sick with the fever, waking up in a strange place with strange people, climbing in a boat to come look for me at Loch Aline, only to find herself in Drimnin and caught in a horrific battle. Have I recalled it accurately, Chief MacVey? I think she is deserving of a long rest.”
Leave it to a child to simplify everything and make perfect sense. “You are correct, Lia. My thanks to you for reminding us of all she’s been through.”
Magni said, “I wish I’d seen the battle, but we were too late. How long did it last? Was she hiding while you fought off the fools, Chief? Did she use her axe again?”
Lennox hid his smile. “She did indeed use her axe. Meg is incredibly accurate with her weapon.” He hadn’t given that a thought until Magni had mentioned their battle again. Lennox had been in many, but not Meg.
“And that Egan. I’m glad I never met him. Pirate Man and Hairy were bad enough.”
Lia came over and whispered in his ear. “Fear not, she does love you. Besides the battle think on the fact that she killed her first when she was fighting a fever. And then she killed another with you.”
Lennox stared at Lia, the wisdom that was forthcoming from her lips so unusual he didn’t know how to react. Except that she was always correct.
But his last part was on wee Lia. He’d never told her that Meg had killed anyone.
Yet she knew.
***
Lennox didn’t sleep well, memories of their night together too fresh in his mind. Unsettled that he had finally fallen in love and she wasn’t lying next to him, he was as uncertain about what steps to take next.
He didn’t know what to do. And when Meg wasn’t in the great hall in the morning, he had the worst feeling. Was she glad to be rid of him?
More confused than ever, he spoke briefly with Tamsin, telling her exactly how he felt, then took his leave. He’d have to wait to hear from Meg.
On the way back, he decided to visit with the Granthams before heading to his castle. He found the four Grant cousins sparring in the lists, something he enjoyed watching—Alasdair with Alick, Alaric against Broc.
When they finally finished, he couldn’t help but ask the most obvious question. “Are you all named with the first letter A ? Other than Broc, it seems your names are similar. Why?”
Alaric laughed. “My three cousins were born on the same night, the first grandchildren of Alexander Grant. They agreed that whichever bairn was born first got to use his name, but they were all born at the same exact time.”
“Exactly?”
Alasdair said, “Close enough to call it the same. I think Aunt Jennie and Aunt Brenna may have planned it ahead so Grandsire, their brother Alex, wouldn’t know. Apparently, our parents argued about it so much that he wouldn’t settle the argument as to who was the firstborn.”
Alick added, “So we were all given names similar to Alexander—Alasdair, Alick, and Elshander. Alaric was a name chosen by Uncle Jamie to be like Alex as well.”
Broc took a bow. “And then there is me.”
Alasdair said, “Join us for the midday meal and an ale, MacVey?”
“Gladly. I’ll follow you in.” He led his horse to the stable, admiring all the warhorses inside the building.
Once in the hall, Dyna joined them. The bairns played off to the side with Sela and Gwyneth chatting near them. “Sorry, I cannot seem to let them play outside without constant supervision. Tell me you caught some of the fools, Lennox.”
Lennox gave her a short explanation, including finding Thane’s parents.
“Truly? After all these years? How the hell did that happen? How did you know?” Dyna asked.
“Lia. She brought us to the cottage near the water where his parents were kept to take care of any bairns brought in by Egan.”
“Did you kill the bastards who controlled that situation?”
“Aye. All taken care of with many thanks from the local villagers in Drimnin.”
The door opened, and Logan entered with Connor. “MacVey, that you?”
“Aye.”
“Update?” Logan asked as he grabbed an ale for himself and handed one to Connor before taking a seat.
Lennox filled them in on what they’d found.
“Meg is with her sister on MacQuarie land?”
“Aye.”
Logan said, “Fair warning. The baron is at Oban, asking questions. I suspect he’ll find his way here in a day or two.”
Lennox cursed. “Meg does not need any more trouble at the moment. She has enough to deal with.” Hellfire, but that evil bastard was going to come for her. He feared it would happen, but what did he know of English barons? Something inside him stirred, his heartbeat increasing at the thought of that fool getting his hands on her. He couldn’t lose her.
He would not lose her. But he wasn’t sure exactly how to handle this situation.
“She just found her sister,” Logan said. “Shouldn’t she be celebrating right now?”
Dyna grinned, her eyes bright as if she truly could tell what he was thinking. “You handfasted with Meg, Lennox. True?”
“True. I thought she’d never leave my side, but she insisted on some time alone with her sister. After all she’s been through, I couldn’t argue with her. As soon as she settled in her sister’s chamber, she fell fast asleep.”
Eli approached and said, “Spit and slime, after all the poor lass has been through, I don’t blame her.”
Logan stared up at his granddaughter. “Besides getting captured and putting an axe in someone’s head, what else has she been through?”
Eli gave an unladylike snort. “Besides the ugly troll she killed while she was with the fever, then she had to fight off four men in Drimnin. Or were you not listening, Grandsire? She put another axe into a man’s chest when she was but a day away from being delirious with fever.”
Dyna cut in, “The lass has not been trained in battle like we have. She’s only used her axe on animals before. I’ll never forget my first kill.”
Eli chuckled. “After my first kill in battle, Alaric had to come and get me. I was screaming in the middle of hundreds of dead bodies in Skaithmuir.”
“You killed more than one, granddaughter, so I was told.”
“Doesn’t matter. I’m telling you it was difficult for her.” She crossed her arms and glared at her grandfather. “Are you that old that you don’t recall your first one?”
Logan snorted. “I’ll agree she’s seen some challenges of late. And now the baron is on his way. Guess you have somewhere to go, MacVey.”
What the hell was he to do now? Run back or leave her be until she was ready?
“Can you give me some advice about this, if you please? I spent some time in Europe, but I have no idea how to handle an English baron. Other than putting my sword through his heart, I don’t know what else to do to stop him. That would be the best way, but then I’d find myself in gaol.”
Connor said, “Nay, King Robert supports his people, especially his nobles. He especially hates it when they come this far across the border to attack people. If he threatens you or her, put your sword through him. You have the right.”
“I hope it doesn’t come to that. Do they believe in handfasting? She’s mine and you know what that means. Will he?”
Alasdair thought for a moment, then said, “I dealt with a few characters before I married Emmalin. The English are stubborn fools. He’ll not like it if he thinks you bested him. And if he does get her, if even for a short time, he’ll make her pay for her believed shortcomings.”
Lennox ran his hand down his face, then got up to pace. He didn’t like this situation, though he wasn’t surprised by it. It had taken him a long time to find the woman he wished to spend the rest of his life with, and Meg was the only one for him. He’d not give her up, but how much blood needed to be spilled?
Logan said, “If I were you, I’d go drag her arse back to your castle where you can protect her.”
Dyna swatted his arm. “Drag her back? What the hell, Logan?”
“You know what I mean.”
“Well, I’m going to disagree with you. Right now, she needs her sister. She’s lived through a fortnight of sheer terror. Tamsin is the calm she needs right now. Lennox, you must let her go. She’ll come back to you.” Dyna gave an emphatic nod to accentuate her point.
“And if the baron gets to her first?” Logan asked.
Dyna chuckled. “Meg can take care of herself. And besides, Lennox will find out as we will, and we’ll all be there to support her. And to stop the baron if he’s too persistent.”
“When are we leaving?” Logan asked.
“I’m leaving now,” Lennox said. “I’ll go back to gather my guards, then we’re headed to MacQuarie land.”
“I would leave soon and keep your eyes open. They’re likely to come by boat,” Logan said.
Tora ran over and asked, “When are you leaving, Mama?”
Dyna gave her daughter a puzzled look. “To go where, Tora?”
“To save Meg from the bad man. You have to.”
“Soon,” she replied, crossing her arms and staring at her daughter, who ran back to play with her toys.
Lennox said, “I’m on my way.” He sat for one moment to gather his thoughts, see if he had any other questions. He knew the value of being prepared.
Dyna said, “So, based on my daughter, I’m changing my advice. Go now, Lennox. We’ll follow.”
Tora hurried over and whispered in Lennox’s ear. “Mama is right. We’re all going.”