“I know you’re likely right, but no one panics until we know that there’s a reason to.” Liam turned to his men to give orders, switching to Gaelic. “Dermot, Alfred, Colin, Benjamin, and Samuel, ye ride into the village with me. Albert, Michail, and Cadence, stay with Elene until we ken who’s here. If it’s safe, I’ll send someone for ye. If it isnae, I want ye to stay off the road. There arenae many trees to hide among but do what ye can to keep out of sight.”
Liam swung down from the saddle and lifted Elene off his steed’s back. She stood facing Liam, but she turned her head toward the water. They could see the boats bobbing on the waves, but they were too far to make out any details of the people moving around the village. They could see farmers tending their crops beyond the village wall, and they could see smaller fishing boats floating alongside the longboats. The scene would have been idyllic if it weren’t for the likely threat.
Liam handed his reins to Dermot before guiding Elene to a patch of tall grass yards from the road. The men he assigned to guard Elene followed at a discreet distance. “I’ll try to find a way into the village for you before nightfall. If I can’t, then I will come to you.”
“What if someone finds us sneaking around? You’re better staying there.”
“I’m supposed to be here for three or four days. I can’t leave you or the men out here that long. There has to be a way to get you into the village and somewhere safe. Do you know anyone here?”
Elene shook her head.
“Be careful,leannan. I would trust these men with my mother and my sister, so I know you’re safe with them. Even with three guards, be alert. Never stray past where they can see you. You’re tall, but not as tall as them. You’ll be able to see them from a greater distance than they can see you.”
“I won’t. Be careful if Gunter is there. I trust him not a bit. Even if he doesn’t find me with you, he’ll blame you. He’ll use it to pick a fight with you and to cause trouble for your grandfather. He doesn’t like competition, and he’s quick to back men into corners by questioning their honor.”
Liam and Elene exchanged a brief and chaste embrace before Liam nodded to the men he tasked with guarding Elene. He mounted and nudged Urram forward as he watched Elene. She waved before she disappeared within the tall grass. He knew she sat, but his heart still thumped the moment she left his sight. He turned back and led his men into the village. He turned his focus to the business to which he came to tend. If he appeared like a bumbling fool, he would lose their respect for his grandfather, and he would draw too much attention. As they passed through the gate and into the village, Liam no longer doubted Gunter was there. The man stood outside the mead hall, hands on his hips, sneering.
CHAPTER9
Liam reined in Urram as his men did the same with their mounts. He’d considered what he would say the entire way down the hill, but he’d failed to devise anything productive. He’d only thought of snide comments that would antagonize Gunter. It would hardly give him the upper hand to prepare for appearing in the public assembly. Instead, he met Gunter’s gaze and held it, daring Gunter to look away first. The silent battle continued until Gunter capitulated. He made excuses, though.
Gunter pointed toward the mead hall. “Shall we see how warm your welcome is here? Mayhap you’ll need extra mead, since I’ve heard your other receptions have been rather frosty.”
Liam withdrew a flask from his saddle bag and shook it. “Mayhap you’d like some Highland whisky. I can see you need that thick cloak because your chest is as smooth as a bairn’s arse.” His comment elicited chuckles from the people who gathered despite the smattering of blond curls that covered the skin. He continued before Gunter could reply. “Ninian! It’s good to see you.”
A middle-aged man with a shock of white hair ambled forward, looking back and forth between Liam and Gunter while grinning. He proffered his arm to Liam and grasped the younger man’s forearm in a warrior handshake. He tugged Liam forward and embraced him, whispering in Liam’s ear, “He’s already causing trouble. Claims you stole his woman. I hope you haven’t. But you are your father’s son, so I’m guessing you did.”
The two men stepped apart. Ninian Sinclair traded frequently along Scotland’s eastern shore and had learned Scots and Gaelic over the years, so Liam switched to the former, knowing not even his men would understand. “You can only steal a possession, and that’s how he sees her. She’s a person. She belongs to no one.”
“That’s not how he sees it.”
“He intends to sell her.” Liam’s comment garnered the response he expected.
“Fuck. He’s a slave trader?”
“He is where it concerns her.”
“Is she with you?”
“Do you see her?” Liam twisted to look behind each shoulder.
“I don’t think I want to know after all. Watch yourself, lad.” Three men, the same age as Ninian, interrupted their conversation.
“Bernard, Hugh, Mans!” Liam greeted, switching smoothly back to Norn. “It’s good to see you. Bernard, what happened to your hair, old man?”
A potbellied man with deep creases around his eyes and mouth chuckled. “The wind blew it away.”
“And he’s too fat to chase it,” the man next to him supplied. “Speaking of growing old, I thought you were Laird Mackay for a moment. You might be larger than your father.”
“Almost, Hugh. I certainly eat enough that I should be. Mans, how are Meg and your lads?”
“Growing just as fast as you and your brothers did, and my Meg is a blessed saint with those nine running around.”
“Nine? Christ on the cross, it was only five the last time I saw you.”
“You haven’t seen me in six years,” Mans grinned.
“I suppose your lads aren’t the only things still growing,” Liam guffawed.
