Page 79 of A Dangerous Highland Affair

Teasag frowned again. She really wasn’t sure about this sketch and had even less idea where it had come from– just that it was inside her head every time she closed her eyes.

“Nae bad, but ye’ve missed his scar oot…”

Teasag turned around to see Gaie in front of her, smirking amusedly at the drawing. Quickly, Teasag packed it away; she wasn’t ready for anyone to see it yet. Or possibly ever.

Gaie’s smile evaporated when she saw her troubled face.

“What is it, hen? Looks to me ye’ve got something on yer mind?”

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

“C ome on, then, tell me what it is that’s given ye a face like a puckled cat!”

Gaie slapped down another wee dram next to her, spilling some of it on the dark mahogany table at the center of the room.

Idly, Gaie blotted it with what looked like a very high-quality lace handkerchief, as Teasag suppressed the urge to tut.

Tonight, Gaie was wearing a simple blue arisaid, but of very high quality, fastened with an ornate silver buckle engraved with various creatures. On her hand, she wore not one, but many rings, of so many colors that they seemed to illuminate her fingers.

Next to Gaie, Teasag couldn’t help feeling a little drab, but that wasn’t what was causing her gloom.

Gaie settled down beside her, making herself comfortable in the heavy wooden chair with various cushions. Immediately, a cat, which Teasag had never seen before, darted from a corner and leaped on top of her.

“Only shows up when it thinks there’s summat for it, like any male!” Gaie laughed, then her hazel brown eyes turned serious. “So, come on then, tell me?”

Teasag was just about to unburden the mess in her mind when the door opened and in surged the men.

“We’re nae here to sup,” said Robbie, as he came through the door. Although, behind him, his two friends gazed hungrily at the soup pot.

“What then?” said Gaie, without any hesitation.

“We need to talk about the situation,” he said this beneath his hand and pointed to the back of the room, where Neacal lay sleeping.

Immediately, Teasag felt her heart rate quicken.

“What noo?” Gaie asked, concern flashing in her hazel eyes. “Surely things couldnae get worse?”

Robbie and Ruaidhrí shared a look, and Robbie cleared his throat.

“Ye ken Ruaidhrí here at the keep?” he said, looking about to make sure he was not being overheard.

“Ye were pulled?” Gaie said, looking concerned.

“Aye,” nodded Ruaidhrí. Teasag noted his shifting eyes, never fastening on one place, but wavering around the crowded cottage.

“But it’s nae fash, I didnae tell them anything…,” the lad appeared uncomfortable with all the eyes on him. Teasag watched, curiously, how in his hand he scrunched up the sleeve ends of his léine.

“Well, according to the lad, while he was up at the keep, he found out more…,” Robbie continued.

Everybody in the room turned to stare at Ruaidhrí. “The Laird’s men are being sent through the land to search for Neacal,” he said, eventually.

Panic began to build in Teasag. Taking a sip of wine, she looked to Gaie for reassurance. But instead, Gaie pulled out a sheet of paper.

“What’s this?” Robbie asked as Gaie passed it silently. Then, as he looked at it, he gave a start.

“Och,” passing the sheet to Teasag, she too gasped.

In front of her was another poster featuring Neacal. This time there was more detail and information as to his whereabouts.