Thatwas an ongoing source of confusion.
Hamish shook his head, wanting to clear his thoughts. Happily, Alaric seemed willing to walk with him into the barn, which Siegfried had accessed through the stables and opened from the inside. Chickens scratched about their booted feet and the air smelled sweetly of hay.
“The horses are settled and fed. There is plenty of animal feed,” Siegfried declared, looking up from a barrel and answering an unspoken question.
“Enough to last us a sennight?” Hamish gazed about at the well-swept floor and tidy shelves.
“Enough to last us till spring.”
Alaric bristled with frustration. “The plan was to seize the lady and return to Greenock, where we belong.”
“Plans change, laddie, as ye know well enough.” Hamish kept his voice light.
“So we are ter stay?”
Hamish could not guess at Siegfried’s thoughts on this. His Seneschal replaced the lid on the barrel as if this was all in a day’s work.
“For the moment, aye.” He sighed with cold and weariness. The barn roof was high and the wind whistled around the rafters.
“Why do we not ride for Greenock with all haste, put a knife to the lady’s throat and demand the return of Scottish land to Scottish men?” Alaric kicked at a chicken who scuttled out of the way just in time, clucking and shaking its feathers.
How can I answer that?
“Dinna take out your frustrations on a dumb animal,” Hamish said quietly, but he could see by Alaric’s lowered brow that he would not be so easily distracted.
“Have ye a better idea?” Siegfried offered.
Hamish could have hugged him.
“I believe I might.”
Alaric tutted and crossed his arms. Hamish ignored him, walking over to the row of barrels and perching atop the nearest. Once again, he cursed himself for forgetting his cloak. His tunic was tailored from the finest cloth, but it could not withstand the chill of a winter’s eve in these northern lands.
“There are three of us,” he began. “’Twas always going ter be a risky business, storming Greenock Castle with just three men bearing arms.”
“We can recruit others along the way,” Alaric argued.
Hamish could not argue with his logic. In fact, this had been his original plan. He had imagined riding into Highland villages with the so-called Lady of Greenock sitting before him on his horse. He’d cried out for support and his plea had been answered by men wielding swords, axes and pitchforks.
A grand plan that had been. But it all hinged on Gaunt’s desire to save Isabella’s life.
Hamish should have guessed that the English Lord did not have such humanity. ’Twas shrewd of Isabella to realize it.
Brave of her to admit it.
In the silence, Siegfried had turned toward Alaric with a resigned sigh. “Will ye show the Laird some respect? Let the man speak. Or do ye look to lead us now, Alaric?”
Hamish caught his ally’s gaze and shook his head imperceptibly. He did not wish to present such possibilities to a warrior with a strong sword arm and an uncertain temper.
“Gaunt has no long-standing affection for the Lady.” He nodded toward the house. “We could have guessed as much for the paltry guard he sent down.”
“Then we kill her and be on our way. Think of a new plan.” Alaric shrugged with such insolence that Hamish was half inclined to strike him.
“Nay more unnecessary bloodshed,” Siegfried spoke through gritted teeth.
“And nay such haste!” Hamish interjected. “We were wrong about Gaunt’s affections. But the Lady is of good standing. I believe we might yet use her to wield influence.”
He stopped short, not wanting to articulate his full thoughts on this.
