Chapter Six #3
The older man who was missing a leg from just below his knee said, “I’m Oscar.
I used to be the steward at Tuath Tower until I lost my leg.
It was crushed under a wheel, and putrefaction set into the bone.
Made the skin a hideous black. I would have died if they hadn’t sawed it off.
” He shook his head. “Some thought I should just have died, but I wasn’t ready.
I wasn’t wanted up at the tower when I healed, not without a leg. ”
Each person said their name, and some gave an ailment or reason for being a member of Erskine’s clan.
The man with burn scars licking up his neck into his face crossed his arms like Erskine. “Me name’s Errol, and I used to be a blacksmith. Once I was badly burned, I was asked to leave the village.”
“By whom?” Cyrus asked.
Errol’s squint turned on him. “Jasper Whitt came with several of his men. Told me my services weren’t needed at Tuath Tower or in Staffin Village any longer. That I should stay out of sight of the public or move on to another territory.”
“I’m Bonnie,” said the middle-aged woman who had very little hair left on her head. She snorted, touching the top of her head. “Chief Iain doesn’t like my wisps—or the head underneath.”
“We are Bernice and Maxwell,” the protective lad called, still holding the girl’s hand. “My sister has a curved spine, and I won’t leave her.” She nodded, her gaze dropping to the ground.
Rory cleared his throat. “My sister has a curved spine.” Bernice’s eyes snapped up to him. “I love her dearly, and she is treated well in MacLeod territory. Morag Gunn, who lives near Dunvegan, is teaching her stretching exercises to lessen the pain.”
“Morag Gunn?” Laria asked. “Lady Sara’s aunt?”
Rory nodded.
Bernice’s lips parted. “Do the exercises work?”
“She says they do,” Rory said. “I will ask Morag to visit.”
“She won’t be safe here,” Laria said.
Cyrus watched Laria. “Or ye can go to her.”
Sophie shook her head. “We might call ourselves Clan Hope, but we are Macqueens, and this is where we stay.” She walked over to take Erskine’s arm.
“And ye want to be out here?” Cyrus asked, spreading his arms.
Sophie smiled at Laria. “I want to be where I know my granddaughter is safe.”
“Safe from whom?”
Sophie Macqueen met his gaze directly. “From my grandson, Iain, as well as from Jasper Whitt and his henchmen.” If the woman was mad with age, it didn’t show in her sharp eyes.
Sophie turned. “Come inside my new home. We’ve been having a roast chicken feast with plenty to share.”
Rory cast a glance at Cyrus. No doubt the chickens had originally been roasted for the wedding celebration but had been stolen by someone from Erskine’s group.
“That is all of us,” Laria said, spreading her arms. “Tuath outcasts.”
“Clan Outcast doesn’t sound as good,” Leah said, and her mother shushed her.
“Where is Reid Hodges?” Rory asked. “Or Reid Lewis or whatever he’s calling himself?”
“He took his—” Leah began, but her mother’s hand clamped over the little girl’s mouth.
“He thought his presence would endanger us,” Kate said. “He left some time ago.”
“Alone,” Leah mumbled behind her mother’s hand.
Chances were Reid Hodges was merely thinking of himself and knew he’d be in danger with Rory around.
“How long have ye all lived like this?” Cyrus asked, following them toward the cave.
Erskine stood with his legs braced. “When Old Chief Sandris died, his nephew, Wallace, took up the duty of chief. He was a tyrant who took pleasure in humiliating anyone who was different than the human ideal. He’d had a younger brother with a twisted spine and disliked him.”
“Iain has another brother?” Cyrus asked. He’d seen no sign of a sibling other than Wallace.
“’Twas Iain’s twin,” Laria said. “His name was Tomas. He died when they were aged ten after he fell from the cliffs.”
“So Wallace pushed ye to flee,” Rory said.
“Mama and I were already living rough when Chief Wallace ruled,” Leah said. “With Chief Erskine. He and Mama love each other.” The girl spoke quickly, as if she knew what would happen. Her mother’s hand clamped over her mouth, blocking further secret telling.
Erskine exchanged a glance with Kate, and the love Leah had mentioned shone in his eyes. “She speaks the truth.”
Cyrus had so many questions, but would he get truthful answers from Laria?
She’d tricked him before, luring him into a night of passion with the intent of killing him later.
Iain called her mad, and the evidence could point that way.
However, these people seemed to have their wits, even if their suspicions were overzealous.
“Ye didn’t return when Wallace died?” Cyrus asked.
Curiously, that had also been a fall from the cliffs behind Tuath Tower.
He glanced at Leah. He might get more answers from the child than from Laria.
If only Kate would move her hand away from the lass’s mouth.
Leah seemed to accept her fate and stood still before her mother, as if this was a frequent occurrence.
He looked from person to person, but they’d all trained their gazes on either Erskine or Laria. They seemed to lead together, though they called Erskine chief. If Erskine hadn’t already stated he loved Kate, Cyrus would have thought he was attached to Laria.
Sophie stepped forward, and her easy smile vanished as her eyes shone with dampness. “Iain, my grandson, killed his mother, my daughter Jane.”