Page 121 of Claimed by a Highlander
“You’re sure he’s well enough to travel?” he asked Grizel.
“He’s a strong lad,” she said, mussing Kenneth’s hair. “He’ll do fine so long as he takes it easy.”
Since they’d settled on a plan to take him in a cart covered in a shroud and blanket, that would not be a problem.
“It’ll be fun playing dead,” Kenneth said. “See if I don’t fool them all.”
Rory exchanged a worried look with Sybil. They were not entirely happy with their plan but had not come up with a better one. The cart would make the journey slow, and it would be unseemly to take the body of the Grant chieftain’s grandson without a large escort, which meant Kenneth would have to lie still under the blanket for a long while.
“Your grandfather and Flora will be so happy to see you,” Sybil said, “but we’ll miss you.”
Kenneth’s smile faded. “Am I coming back?”
“Of course ye are,” she said. “Isn’t he, Rory?”
“Aye.” He squeezed Kenneth’s shoulder. “You belong here, son.”
Rory was about to leave to gather the men who would ride with them when someone pounded on the door.
“Open the door!” Alex shouted from the other side. “Hurry!”
When Rory unbarred it, both his brother and sister hurried in, and he shut it behind them.
“I came as quickly as I heard,” Alex said between gasps for breath.
“How did ye hear about Kenneth’s accident so soon?” Rory asked.
“What? The lad’s been hurt?” Alex’s gaze shifted to where Kenneth lay on the bed.
“He’s going to be fine.” Rory gripped his brother’s arm. “What did ye ride here to tell me?”
“I heard a confession this morning from a Gairloch man,” Alex said. “Hector is laying an ambush near Loch Ussie for the Munro chieftain and his guard.”
“Ye must stop them!” Catriona interjected.
“Hector plans to slaughter them,” Alex said. “And ye know the blame will fall on you.”
“Aye.” As chieftain, the actions of his clan were his responsibility. The Munros would believe he either gave the order or should have been able to control his clansmen. Rory cursed his uncle for planning a senseless killing. And for what? To create more enemies for Rory to face.
“Ye can’t let this happen,” his sister said, clinging to his arm. “Ye must do something.”
“I fear it may be too late already,” Alex said.
“Pray it’s not,” Rory said, and grabbed his sword. “I’ll take all the men I can spare from the castle and go at once.”
“What about the Grants? They’ll be on their way to Beauly by now,” Sybil said. “If we fail to meet them with Kenneth, they’re bound to think the worst.”
“The Grants will have to wait,” Rory said. “Malcolm, I leave my wife and son in your care.”
Rory lifted Sybil off her feet and kissed her. And then he was gone.
***
A sense of premonition hung over Sybil like a dark cloud as she stood at the window watching Rory ride out with his men. Of course Rory had to try to prevent the massacre of innocent men. That left the Grants to her.
She drew Malcolm aside. “We need to take Kenneth to Beauly.”
“Ach, lass,” he said, “I was afraid you’d say that.”
