Page 52 of Highland Steel

“What was that?”

“It seems the sword her faither stole from the king wasna the king’s sword at all.”

“What does that mean? I dinna understand.”

Logan tied a knot in the cord and held up the necklace, dangling it in front of him. “The sword she was talkin’ about was really our sword, Ethan. It was the Sword of Triumph.”

“It was?” Ethan’s brows arched. “Then we need to get it. I ken we failed last time, but mayhap this time will be different.”

“Nay. It’s too dangerous,” Logan told him. “And I willna put the clan at risk again. I canna allow anyone else to die.”

“Then we’ll sneak in and get it by ourselves,” said Ethan. “I’ll get Hawke and Caleb to help us.”

“Nay, this is somethin’ I need to do on my own.”

“How the hell do ye think ye are goin’ to go up against the Drummonds by yerself, Logan? Ye’re mad. Ye’ll get killed. Let us help ye.”

“Rhoswen asked me a second time to help her, but I never answered.”

“Why no’? If the Drummonds have the Sword of Triumph, ye have a guid reason to want to help her now.”

“Aye,” he said, sticking the necklace in his sporran and standing up to brush the wooden shavings off his plaid. “But how can I tell the lass I didna want to help her save her nephew, but now that there is somethin’ I want, I’d be willin’ to risk it? What’s the matter with me, Ethan? What kind of a man am I who only does things to benefit himself? I’m disgusted, and I’m sure Rhoswen must hate me for it. I canna blame her.”

“Ye’ve gone through a lot, Logan, and ye’re holdin’ guilt that isna yers.”

“How can ye say that?” spat Logan. “It was my fault the sword was stolen and that some of our clan members died tryin’ to fix my careless mistake. I canna involve the clan in this decision. Tomorrow, I’ll go by myself to save Rhoswen’s nephew. And after I do, I’ll find the Sword of Triumph and bring it back to the clan.”

“Ye canna go alone. I’ll talk to Storm and we’ll figure this out.”

“Nay, ye willna mention a word of this to anyone. No’ even Rhoswen,” he growled. “And if I dinna come back alive, please take care of Rhoswen and her siblin’s for me.” He stormed off.

“Logan, wait! We need to talk this over.”

“I have made my decision,” said Logan. “Tomorrow, I will leave on the mission, and I’ll make things right again, even if I have to die to do it.”

“Ye’re bein’ a fool, Logan. Think with yer head and no’ yer emotions.”

Logan didn’t answer. He walked over to a group of children who were playing near the hospice. Blaine sat there watching them, keeping to herself. Oliver and Newell were practicing with their wooden swords down by the water.

“Blaine, I have somethin’ for ye,” said Logan, pulling the necklace out of his sporran and holding it out to her.

“For me?” She stood up and slowly reached out to take it. “It’s a necklace,” she said.

“I whittled it for ye. I ken how distraught ye’ve been and thought ye might find comfort in prayin’. Ye could hold on to this cross when ye’re worried and it will help ye to find solace.”

“Thank ye so much,” said the girl, staring at the necklace in her hand with wide eyes.

“Let me help ye put it on.” Logan took the necklace from her, slipping it over her head. Then he gently lifted her hair out from under it, laying it over her shoulders.

“Thank ye, Logan,” she said, life coming back to her eyes for the first time since Logan had met her. “This will help me find comfort, I am sure.”

Then, to Logan’s surprise, the shy girl threw her arms around him and hugged him.

* * *

Rhoswen opened the door of the hospice, stopping in her tracks when she saw Logan and her sister. It looked like Logan gave her a necklace. Then he put it on her and played with her hair before Blaine reached out and hugged him!

Her jaw dropped open. She couldn’t believe what she was seeing. Did this man have no shame? He’d made love with her just this morning and now he was already making a pass at her sister? How could he?