When he faced his laird once more, Gillean had narrowed his gaze at him and the laird’s lips twitched with annoyance.“Damnation, I should never have—” He paused and let his expression soften.“A canny lass indeed.”
“Still, she only brought ye grief.Yer better rid of her, my laird.”
“Ivar willnae be happy.He had taken quite a liking to her.”
As had half the castle, Logan thought bitterly.He rolled his eyes.“Vikings care little for lasses.He’ll find another bonny fair lass soon enough.Besides, we are close enough to battle now.He willnae withdraw his support because of a mere woman.”
“Aye, ye are right, I suppose.”
“Ye shall have yer island soon enough, my laird.”
“And ye.”
Logan faked a greedy smile but the thought of land of his own no longer filled him with anticipation.He only hoped Lorna’s family lands remained unscarred by the ensuing battle.A knot gathered in his throat at the thought of never seeing her again.But better that than handing her over to a bloodthirsty Viking.
Gillean’s expression grew calculating again so Logan busied himself pouring an ale.A thud at the top of the stairs told him Ivar had risen, and Logan threw back the drink, the bitter tang forcing its way past the tangle of anguish in his throat.He might have acted dismissive, but he doubted Ivar would be best pleased.
Gillean rose as the giant man reached the bottom step.“Will ye join me?”
The fair-haired man paused in front of the top table, arms folded.“Is it true?”
“What?”
Ivar pounded a fist to the table, rattling the platters and goblets and spilling ale onto the crisp white linen cloth.“The woman is gone!”
The laird sat casually enough though Logan saw tension in his posture.Logan placed a hand over the pommel of his sword.
“Aye, unfortunately so.”
“You are a careless man, Gillean.”Ivar jabbed a finger toward him.“Am I to expect you to be as careless in your battle plans too?”
“Certainly not.I have been planning this for four seasons.The woman was an unnecessary inconvenience and if she does not die on the journey home, her lands will fall to us soon enough.Mayhap we’ll capture her then and she can be a spoil of war.”
Logan flexed a hand on his sword and spun away.He could not listen to this.
“Logan?”Gillean called.“Where do ye go with such haste?”
“I must check on the defences,” he said tightly as he spun to face the men.“If she escaped easily, so too could some enter with ease.”
Gillean rocked his gaze between Ivar and himself before nodding, clearly assured the Viking would do nothing to harm him.Besides, there were men enough around.While Logan might be the strongest, the other men could take down one Norseman if needs be.
Logan took the steps to the stores first, intending to check on their supplies should anyone hear tell of their plans and decide to rise against them.This had been his daily routine and he knew well they were prepared enough.If news of the uprising reached the king, he might send his men to deal with them, though the king had already proved himself loath to get involved in clan warfare in the past.This, however, would be no mere dispute between clans.
He turned at the sound of footsteps and saw a young servant lad.“Gillean wants ye to send out riders, sir,” the redheaded boy spilled out.“To search for the lady.”
Logan cursed softly and waved the boy away.“Aye, I’ll do so in a moment.”
The journey to Glencolum was not far, not that he had done it himself—or he did notthinkhe had—but it would take her less than a day to return home.However, men on horseback would easily catch up with her.And then what?Why did Gillean not just leave her be? They could ill afford to release men to such a duty at a time like this.Three more days and they’d be marching to battle.The laird’s judgement appeared clouded when it came to that woman.Much like his own, he thought with a smirk.
He made his way up the stairs and paused as Ivar’s voice boomed through the hall.“He released her, I know it.”
“Logan is loyal to me,” Gillean spat.
Logan inched forward and strained to listen over the noise of the servants clearing away the morning meal.Anne swished past and gave him a bemused look.He merely pressed a finger to his lips and signalled for her to move on.She offered a tight, wary smile and carted the stack of beakers out of the hall.
If Gillean suspected he had betrayed him, Logan had to know.
“The men say he has no memory,” Ivar continued.
