He smiled at the thought of having complete control over the lass. Let Dugan have his ambitions and his empire. Let him chase his precious reputation.
Sholto would have something better.
He’d have her fear. And that was worth more than all the fame in Scotland.
Chapter Nine
Brynja
The next day, Brynja made her way around Ulva, the place they traveled to because not many lived on the isle, yet it held the most beautiful apple trees she’d ever seen. She and Hildi had rowed over with two monks from the abbey. They needed a good supply of fruit for the winter and there were still a few apples that hadn’t dropped yet, even in this cold weather, because the trees were so well-protected from the cold wind of the sea.
They searched for nuts and any other food that could feed them through the long winter season. Ulva was much larger than Iona, so they often followed the coastline of Mull with their boat to make their way over to forage for food. They’d put their boat on the south end, the monks heading in one direction with their sacks while she and Hildi headed in the opposite direction.
“What think you of Hagen?” Hildi asked, hiding her smirk by turning her head immediately after asking.
“I see that, Hildi. I know you’re amused, but there’s naught to get excited about. Hagen is no different than Jowell, Paden, Alaric, or Broc to me. They’re from Clan Grantham and all the same.” She noticed a tree with apples on the ground and pointed, the two heading in that direction.
Hildi said, “I think Hagen thinks you’re special.”
“And what if Jowell thought you special? Would it please you?”
Hildi scrunched her face up, then broke into a wide grin. “Aye. I think he’s cute.”
She squelched the impulse to roll her eyes, then scanned the area, always protective of the two of them. “It matters not to me,” she said, finding a few edible apples and placing them in her basket that she would put in the sack once it was full. Thesound of voices caught her, and she held her hand up to her friend. “Hush.”
Brynja froze, unable to make out the voices, but she knew they were not the monks. “I’m going through there to see.”
Hildi nodded, the two setting their baskets on the ground as Brynja led the way through the thick trees. They both stopped at the same exact time, the boat traveling in front of them close enough that they could actually see the inhabitants.
One was the bastard who’d tried to hurt Sheona, but the other one had his head turned away from them. Brynja was certain of the one. She nodded to Hildi to let her know they were the ones she feared but held her hand up to keep her from speaking. There was a line of trees along the coastline that they were able to hide behind. The two were involved in an avid discussion, something she hoped would keep them from noticing her presence.
Brynja followed the boat that held the two men rowing down the coastline. She stayed hidden in the tree line, listening to the conversation between the two. Apparently, neither one knew how well voices carried across water.
“What’s your plan, Dugan?”
“On the morrow. We’ll come back just before dark. Catch her unaware. Throw her in the boat and take her to Tiree. And what did you find out about the Grants, Sholto?”
“I haven’t yet, Dugan. I’ve tried, but you cannot just walk up to the gates of the castle and ask.”
“Then I suggest you get your arse over there as soon as we return. I need that number. I can’t attack until I know how many guards they have. Even if I choose to wait on Tiree, I need enough men to fight them off.”
“Why the Grants? I thought Duart was Clan Grantham?”
“I told you. Alexander Grant killed my grandfather, and I want vengeance. It is Grantham, but Clan Grant is part ofGrantham, idjit. Just find out. Go to Craignure and ask in town. They’ll know. I’ll leave you there and return after I check out Mingary. And ask if Connor, Kyla, or Jamie Grant are there. I want as many of Alexander’s heirs as I can.”
“Connor, Kyle, and James?”
“Nay, fool. Just ask how many of his sons are there.” The man spit off the side of the boat.
“What was your grandsire’s name again?”
“Niles…Wait. What the hell was that?”
They pulled the oars in and slowed so Brynja motioned for Hildi to move back, but she tripped and landed with a groan.
“What the hell? Someone’s over there.”
“Through the trees. I see them.”
