“Are ye surly because I wed her? I told ye that she coveted the marriage and at the time, I needed to marry,” William said.
“Aye? Marian was but an afterthought? She told me that she coveted the union betwixt you and her. That ye cared so little about her after she died tells me that I am gladdened she was unable to marry ye. Ye damned did not even have the bollocks to mourn her as shedeserved.”
“So, ye do hold hostility. I understand, och do not take it out on the MacLarens. And I tell ye, Laird Buchanan, I did mourn the lass. I was devastated when I learned she had died.”
Breckin scoffed and gripped his horse’s reins so tightly his knuckles turned white. “Go back to MacLaren and tell him that there will never be peace betwixt us. Warn John that I am not finished with him. Whilst ye are at it, be sure to kiss your father-in-law’s arse.” He nudged his horse to turn away and rode hastily toward the blackened trees.
Before he could cross the landmark, a lone horseman rode toward them. It was a Buchanan messenger, Banny, an elder man who all but retired from taking to arms.
“Laird, Aymer sent me with an urgent message,” Banny said and handed him a scrap of parchment. He turned his horse and headed back through the row of blackened trees.
Breckin unsealed it and read the one line.MacNab needs your aid. He bids ye to come.
“Damnation,” he uttered. “I just want to get home and… Gideon, turn around. We need to head to MacNab’s. He’s called for us.”
“What does he want?” Gideon said grumpily.
Breckin shrugged. “Who the hell knows? Let us get there. We shall return home on the morrow.” He was in a foul temperment now—as far from amiable as could be. God help whoever instigated his wrath because he would use his sword with the full measure of his strength behind it.
After riding hell-bent to the MacNabs with a league to go, Breckin had to slow their progression. Their horses were winded and needed rest. The last thing he wanted to do was to delay his return, but he couldn’t risk harming or exhausting their already spent horses further.
“We will take rest here. If we are fortunate, the MacNab sentry will see us and send Daniel to us and we needn’t ride further.” Breckindismounted and led his horse to a small stream. His soldiers did likewise. They settled down to take a rest and the night, even though it was a bonny one, did little to allay them.
He settled down on a bedroll next to Gideon, who handed him a flask of ale. Breckin took a swig and handed it back. “I am filthy, by God, and do not think I shall be able to wash away the stench of MacDoughall’s blood.”
Gideon laughed. “Aye? I know what ye mean, for I detest when they bleed on me.” His commander handed him a helping of whey bread which he’d broken into two pieces. “Eat something. It might make ye less disagreeable.”
Breckin raised a brow at his comrade. “Disagreeable? I tell ye if the MacNabs are being attacked again by the MacLarens, disagreeable will be as mild as I shall be.”
“Aye, aye. Ye want to take arms against them and now have a wee bit of bloodlust in ye. About bloody time, because they deserve it, not only for attacking our ally but also because they reneged on a promise. Och, Laird, ye should be gladdened ye did not marry Danella. She cannot hold a candle to Lady Eva’s beauty or spirit.”
“Ye are so right, Gideon. I probably should thank the MacLarens for saving me from a deplorable fate. Honest to God, though, I tire of these petty wars, the needy clans, and the alliances. Have I not given more than I should to such causes? I think a change is in order. When I can obtain vengeance for Marian, if need be, then I can ensure our clan’s prosperity.”
“What do ye mean? Are ye going to retract our alliances?”
“Nay, but I need to make our allies understand that I am not at their beck and call. They will also need to support us. We will no longer be their only support. Changes are coming, my friend. I can smell it in the air.”
“Good. ’Tis about damned time. Och, but I tell ye this, sometimes seeking vengeance costs more than what ye are willing to give.”Gideon stood. “Someone comes.”
Breckin got to his feet and surveyed the riders coming at them. The MacNabs rode hastily toward them and barely stopped their horses before dismounting.
“Daniel, I received your message. What is the trouble?” Breckin asked.
The MacNab laird scoffed. “What message? I sent ye no message. My sentry reported men on our land and I came to find out who ye were.”
“Ye sent no message?”
“Nay,” Daniel said with angst. “Did I not just say that? We have had no troubles since ye handled that matter for us. Why?”
“We were given a message saying ye needed aid.” Breckin gave a glance to Gideon and then signaled to his men. “We must leave, Daniel. I fear that we have been lured away from our land and our home might be attacked. We must make haste.” Without a farewell, Breckin retrieved his horse and mounted. He rode in the direction of the blackened trees, followed by the Buchanan soldiers.
On the ride toward his home, apprehension filled him. He worried that his family, Eva, and his clan’s men and women were in jeopardy. If one person was harmed, there would be hell to pay. Breckin was in the mood to slaughter a field full of his enemies.
Chapter Fourteen
With Breckin gone,Eva decided to keep herself busy. Now that she’d gotten the lay of the land and her bearings, she would make progress with the longhouse, befriending some of the clan’s women, and taking care of Breckin’s brothers.
She arose early that morn and groaned because most of her life, she’d been a late riser. Since she’d arrived in the Highlands, she had begun to awaken earlier, which she supposed was a good thing. She had much to accomplish before Breckin returned, all in hopes of winning his heart. Somehow, she would prove her worthiness.
