Page 28 of Laird Of Her Heart

After they had finished with the greetings and catching up of minor news from Dar, he asked to speak with Dominic and Declan in private. Dominic did not like leaving Maggie unattended, but he had words with Ewan—exhorting him to see her fed and, more importantly, to keep her safe. Not that he thought she’d run. She had promised she would not.

Beyond that, he knew all his men would watch over her. After what they’d witnessed in his tent, by now they all knew damn well she was his. But still, he hated being separated from her, even for a moment.

He led Liam to his tent as Declan brought in another chair and they sat around the table. Dominic poured them each a whiskey.

“So, what is the important news, Liam?” he asked.

His cousin took a swig of whisky and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. “Verra good news, my laird. The MacPherson has agreed to your meeting. In fact, he has called for a convocation of the lairds to discuss concessions.”

That was good news. Macpherson had been the only clan chief resisting the formation of a Clan Chattan federation. Dominic had been trying to arrange a meeting to confer with MacPherson over the matter, but he’d been obstreperous.

“Aye. They’ve all agreed to meet the day after tomorrow at Urquhart Castle.”

Dominic’s brow wrinkled. An odd place for a convocation, though upon reflection, it was neutral territory. None of the rival clans could claim superiority because it belonged to the Black Comyn, who had no stake in this quarrel. “Who will be there?”

“Lairds from Cattanach, MacPhail, Shaw, Farquharson, the Ritchies, McCombies and Clan MacThomas.”

“And MacPherson.”

“Aye.”

He frowned. “The day after tomorrow, you say?”

“Aye.”

Dominic glanced at Declan. “That doesna leave us much time.” Urquhart Castle was a full day’s ride.

“We can leave tomorrow.”

“The three of us?” Liam asked, although there was no need to ask. Liam and Declan were his lieutenants.

Dominic nodded. “The men can finish up the hunt and head back home.” He would have liked to have had a more successful hunt, to fill the smoke room with meat, but it was still summer. There would be more hunts before the harsh winter set in.

“And the woman?”

He glared at his brother. He knew what Declan was asking and it irritated him. Hell, his brother’s continued insistence that she was a spy irritated him. “She’s coming with us.”

Declan snorted, but Liam, at least, knew well enough to stay silent.

“Let’s get moving,” he said into the silence. “There’s much to do if we’re to make it to this meeting in time.”

* * *

Dominic didn’t emerge from his tent for a long while, but when he did, all hell broke loose in the camp. Suddenly the men started rushing about, cleaning the pots and pans and packing them up.

“What’s going on?” she asked Ewan, because he was the only one who seemed inclined to speak to her. Still, he didn’t meet her eyes.

“We’re leaving tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow?”

“Aye.”

“Are we going back to Castle Dar?” That thought was exciting. She’d only seen pictures of her ancestral home, and even then, it had been ruins. How thrilling would it be to see it in its glory? In person?

“The lads and I are heading back. But the laird is going west. And you’re going with him.”

She frowned and glanced at where Dominic was overseeing the salting of the venison. He lifted one of the carcasses and tossed it into the cart. His muscles bunched fabulously, snagging her attention. There might have been some drool. She was glad he was taking her with him, wherever they were going. “What’s in the west?” she asked.