Page 7 of Highlander’s Quest of Desire

Leo visibly deflated. He had not expected to be dismissed so thoroughly. Elspeth’s heart went out to him. He had come to Clan Buchan with so much hope only to be told that diplomacy was the choice of offense against English militarized brutality.

“Nae,” Leo said. “Words will nae help Bruce. He was taken three weeks ago. The Lord only knows what those English bastards are doing to him.”

“But Laird Labert…”

“Do me a favor and donae speak of this to Laird Labert. As ye said. He has clout among the English. We donae trust him.”

Domnhall was speechless, as was Elspeth. “Do ye nae trust Laird Labert?” he asked.

“Nae. Only a few people had any knowledge of the Bishop of Orkney’s request. Laird Labert was a regular visitor to Orkney. My suspicion is he gave Bruce up to the English so they wouldnae look at his castle to occupy.”

“That’s a grave accusation, Sinclair.” Domnhall looked deeply uncomfortable. “Laird Labert has been our ally for decades. He was at Bruce’s christening, donae forget.”

“That means naught when the English are threatening outside the door. Would ye nae sell any one of us if it kept the English out of Blair Castle?”

“I wouldnae betray any Scotsman, nae matter what the cost.”

“Then yer a better man than Laird Labert, but yer still nae as brave as Bruce, for he would take up arms if it were ye in Bass Rock Castle…”

There was a tense moment of silence. Both men were agitated, and tempers were running high. Elspeth expected Domnhall to strike Sinclair for the insult, but then Domnhall shook his head and spread his arms, calling a truce. “Stay the night, Sinclair. We can discuss this further in the morning. I have nae denied ye assistance—just nae men. We cannae take up arms against the English when their armies overwhelm us. That would be madness. Dunnottar Castle has been taken over. If we were to strike them now at our weakest, we would lose Blair Atholl as well. Ye cannae expect me to put my people at risk. Bruce was aware of the dangers; he tried to put his head down until the storm of English suspicion blew over. How can ye call me a coward for doing the same?”

Leo did not say anything in return. It was obvious that Domnhall had made up his mind and would not be persuaded to part from his decision or the men Leo desperately needed.

“Can I nae persuade ye to join the feast?” Domnhall asked, his tone indicating that he knew they had reached an impasse and the relationship between Clan Buchan and Grant was never going to be the same following this day.

“Nae, thank ye,” Leo said. “I donae want anyone to ken I came to ye.”

“At least let me send ye some food before ye go.”

Leo nodded, though his expression was laced with disappointment.

Domnhall tapped his shoulder before leaving him in the hall. Leo Sinclair watched her brother leave, frustration evident in his tense shoulders and clenched fists.

The nugget of an idea had rooted in Elspeth’s brain. Here she was, wishing for a situation out of her predicament, and Leo Sinclair had come through the door like a knight in shining armor. The prospect of breaking Bruce out of prison wasn’t something she had considered as something she could do with her life, but she could be of use if he had been hurt as Leo had suggested.

Asking for permission from Domnhall would be like extracting teeth from a snail. Allie might be able to persuade him for a trip to the nearby Laird if a prospective match was in the offing, but to be part of a mission to free another Laird from prison and risk the wrath of the English? She knew the answer already.

But was she ready to take her life into her own hands? It was now or never. You didn’t look a gift horse in the mouth, especially not if it was sent by the Lord Himself.

“Shh,” she hissed, trying to get Leo’s attention. “Leo!”

Leo startled. He looked around frantically as if he’d been approached by a ghost, then his eyes fell on the tapestry and Elspeth behind it.

“Elspeth?” he whispered, mimicking her tone. “Is that ye?”

“Aye. I heard yer conversation with Domnhall. I didnae mean to spy. I was already hiding behind the tapestry.”

“Donae concern yerself about it. Yer brother has refused my pleas.”

“Aye, but he cannae stop people who volunteer to go with ye on yer mission.”

Leo’s green eyes lit up. “Ye ken of men who will desert and help with my cause?”

“Nae.” Elspeth came out from behind the tapestry, her plate in hand, and offered some of her food to Leo who took it gratefully. “But I would like to accompany ye.”

Leo stopped chewing to stare at her. He swallowed. “I mean nae disrespect, Lady Elspeth, but what good would ye be to Bruce? I need fighting men.”

“I understand, but ye also need a healer. If what ye say of Bruce’s treatment at the hands of the English, then ye will need one to mend him once he is out of prison or else what would it be all for?”

Leo thought about it as he ate. “And yer saying ye ken of healing herbs?”

“Aye,” Elspeth said. “I can also ride and take care of myself.” The first part wasn’t completely true. She was an average rider. But the latter was true. She did know how to care for herself. After her parents had passed away, it had fallen to her to look out for her well-being. “I will nae be a bother.”

“And what of Domnhall? Will he permit ye?”

Elspeth pursed her lips. This was the hurdle that she needed to cross.

“What is yer concern at the moment? Upsetting my brother or making sure yer Laird is freed from the clutches of the English?”

Leo appraised her, a small hint of a smile on his face, the first she’d seen since he’d arrived. Suitably impressed, he nodded. “I shall expect ye by the North Wood at dawn. If yer late we will leave ye behind. Agreed?” He held a hand out for her.

Elspeth smiled wide. She wouldn’t be late. It was her way out of Domnhall’s plans for her life. She took Leo Sinclair’s hands and agreed to whatever her destiny was going to bring.