“I saw it. Heed the sign. Ask Thane whatever you need to, but you need to pursue the lass.”
Paden said, “All jesting aside, I saw it from afar. You need to listen to Jowell. I’ve never seen a clearer sign.”
Hagen wrestled with his cousins’ opinions and his memory of what happened. There had been a visible light, some gleam or glitter or spark. But it wasn’t just something to see.
He’dfeltit. A power shot through his hand and landed deep in his belly. He had no idea what to make of it, but he was glad to receive their confirmation.
He wasn’t daft after all.
They arrived at their destination and Bearnard let them through the gates without question. “The evening meal just finished. We’ve got some pottage left.”
Hagen said, “I’d like to speak with Thane first, if you don’t mind. I have a few questions for him.” MacQuarie Castle offered one of the best views on Mull. From the parapets, Coll and Tiree lay to the right, Ulva, Iona, and Staffa to the left. The castle sat nearly opposite Duart on the island.
Bearnard said, “Climb on up to the parapets. He’s up there.”
Jowell said, “I’ll gratefully accept the pottage.”
Paden followed Jowell. “Sorry, Hagen. I have to eat first. Let me know if you see anything.”
Hagen shook his head, not surprised at all that his cousins didn’t view this issue as anything truly important. But they didn’t have the interest he did.
The image of Brynja striding away from him ate at him. He had to do what he could to help her, then convince her that hewas sincere. That he might be spoiled a bit, but that didn’t make him a fool.
A short time later, he found Thane leaning over the edge, staring at the waves in the distance. “Hagen, you’re alone?”
“Aye, my cousins are hungry. But they understand you have an excellent cook. Her reputation is known all over the isle.”
“My mother has passed all of her recipes along to Agnes, who has done so well that we hired another to do the housekeeping. Now, I see the worry on your face, so please tell me what concerns you so.”
“We were on Iona when Brynja shared that there are two men circling the island often. She thinks they originate at one of the other isles and are searching for her.”
Thane rubbed his chin. “Specifically, for her? Why?”
“Brynja believes one of the men is the same man she wounded when they were searching for Sheona.”
“Ah. That makes perfect sense to me.” He grinned at Hagen, shaking his head. “That lass thinks like a seasoned warrior.”
Hagen couldn’t hide his smile.
Thane added, “But she’s more than a warrior to you, I see.”
Hagen couldn’t deny his interest. “I’d like to get to know her better, but she pushes me away. I’d like to see if I could find a way to assist her. She refuses to leave the island, but I’m wondering if we could arrange a patrol from your land. End their torture of the lass.”
“She’s no weak lassie looking for a man to save her, but you know that.”
“I do. But that doesn’t mean she doesn’t need protecting. Some assistance.”
“Spoken like a Grant. Your sire taught you well. I’m happy to lend you any boats you need to patrol. When did she say they circle Iona?”
“Dawn most days. Dusk on some. She waits every day.”
Thane shook his head. “She reminds me of my wife, poor lass. Always looking over her shoulder. You and your cousins are welcome to stay here for a few days and do your own patrolling with my boats.”
“I think we will accept your offer with my gratitude. Tamsin had a difficult time, I heard.” He sighed, arranging his thoughts before asking the question his cousins would mock him for if they overheard. “How did you convince her you were interested? I mean…” He scratched his head. “I know how to court a lass on Grant land, but here? How the hell do you court someone focused on vengeance?”
Thane smiled and turned around, leaning his back against the parapets. “You ask a great question. It takes a great deal of patience, and all I can say is that when her defenses finally come down, she’ll see you, but only if you’ve been there for her all along. I never aggressively pursued Tamsin, and our circumstances are different, but when she was ready, she nearly fell into my arms. I’ll be honest with you. I didn’t have much experience with lasses, not like MacVey or Rankin, but I knew what I wanted, so I devoted myself to supporting her whenever she needed someone. It worked, fortunately.”
A sound caught Thane, and he stopped, his gaze going to the water as a small boat entered their visual field, headed toward Ulva. “Let me get my spying implement.”
