Chapter Eighteen
The Spy
Rory waited, impatient, in the house they’d commandeered near the Laird’s keep. He was not in any danger here; the Laird knew better than to try to attack him. The MacDuff army was vast and hiding just behind the trees, camping out in the forest and behind the loch.
The sun was rising when the spy finally arrived. Jonah Reilly had been as good as his word, reporting back his findings from inside the castle every night, but Rory still wasn’t satisfied. He wouldn’t be satisfied until he had Eithne safe in his arms where she belonged.
And away from that thrice-accursed mercenary.
He knew that she hadn’t meant to escape. No doubt, she was sad and confused because of the unfortunate fate of her family. Rory considered what Ivor had done by taking her tantamount to kidnap. He’d stolen Rory’s wife away, and now she was unhappy.
The knock came. It was four harsh raps of the knuckles followed by a couple of gentler taps in a set pattern. Rory nodded, and one of his men went to answer the door, letting young Jonah inside.
“Well?” Rory asked, not bothering with a greeting. He gave the boy a critical look, making sure that the young man was aware thatRoryknew exactly what he’d been up to this whole time. “Anything useful to report today, or have ye been too busy cavorting with the Kinnear lassie?”
Jonah didn’t look embarrassed. “I’ve told ye before. Getting sweet with Myrna is the best way to get information, nothing more,” he said, sitting down opposite Rory and accepting the ale another man handed him.
Aye, keep telling yerself that, lad. I ken the look of a man in love.
“Whatever ye say,” Rory replied. “Now—”
“The lassie arrived today. Eithne. And the mercenary,” Jonah told him, his face twisting in disgust at the thought of the man who he thought had killed his father. “They brought a wee lad and a dog with them as well.”
Rory went still. She was here. Eithne washere.“How is she?” he asked, his voice rasping in its urgency. “Does she look well? Has the mercenary used her poorly?”
“She looks as happy as one can when their whole family is dead,” Jonah answered with a shrug. “And she and Myrna were overjoyed to see each other. They only spoke to the Laird. Briefly, I think. There’s gonnae be a funeral for the dead parents and brother, though without the bodies obviously.”
Rory nodded, pondering this. “I see. And Ivor Sinclair?”
Jonah’s face darkened. “He seemed pleasant. Friendly. He’d almost make ye forget that he murdered me faither.”
Rory made a sympathetic noise, all the while very proud of himself for not rolling his eyes. This boy and his passion and drive for vengeance wereuseful,certainly, but that didn’t make Jonah any less boring to be around.
People with their endless feelings make me exhausted. When Eithne and I are wed, and we rule over MacDuff and Kinnear together, I’ll be glad to never listen to such things again.
“I think she’s in love with him,” Jonah added, interrupting the musing. “Eithne Kinnear and the mercenary Sinclair, I mean. They’re certainly very familiar with each other.”
Rory went still. “Take it back,” he said icily.
Jonah shrugged. “I cannae, Me Laird. It’s true. Ye asked me to report back on what was going on in yonder castle, and that’s exactly what I’m doing.”
“He must have tricked her. Used her. Stolen her honor,” Rory snarled. Red hot fury flashed behind his eyes. So, Sinclair would take what washis,would he? Right now, Rory had to focus on getting Eithne back, but the mercenary would be a fool to think he could live the rest of his life safely after such actions.
The younger man shrugged. “I dinnae ken. They both seem smitten. But he’s gonnae leave her anyway, for reasons I dinnae quite understand.”
Since his last report a few days ago, Jonah moved on, filling Rory in on every going on in the castle, but Rory was barely listening. All that the young Laird cared about was the fact that Eithne was here, now, waiting for him. Oh, she’d acted defiantly before – but weren’t women always like that? He knew that she really loved him, or at least would one day.
“Enough,” he said, interrupting though he had no idea what Jonah was saying. “Off back to the castle with ye. Find out what that bastard mercenary is planning. Report back to me in a few days or as soon as he leaves.”
“Aye, Me Laird,” Jonah said, nodding his head in a slight bow. He stood and left immediately, not lingering – which was good because Rory couldn’t stand when they lingered.
He scowled to himself once he was left alone in the room again with his silent guard. “Out!” he snarled.
The guards retreated one by one, slinking into the other room in the small house and leaving Rory to his thoughts.
It hurt like a burn that Eithne was so near and yet so far from him, but it was only a wound he’d have to endure for a short time. Soon, he’d have her in his arms. Soon, she’d be his bride.
Or she’ll join the rest of her family with the worms.
