Page 27 of The Wolf Laird's Obsession
And if winter proved harsh…
The thought darkened his mood further.
“The fire started inside,” Ewan continued, rising and pointing toward the back. “Near the rear wall. The door wasnae forced. The guards swear they saw nothing.”
Rowan crossed to the wall, the torchlight revealing the truth the ash had tried to hide. Boot prints. Several sets, under the layer of soot.
Two men. Maybe three.
“They kent where to strike,” he said quietly. They set fire in the place where one spark could race through the stored barley like lightning.
Ewan nodded once, his expression grim. “Aye.”
Neither spoke as the wind shifted through the broken frame of the barn, ash drifting across the floor.
“That makes two incidents this week.”
Ewan tilted his head. “Two?”
“Aye. We were attacked on the road earlier today.”
“Oh?” Ewan’s eyebrows rose in surprise. “By whom? Thieves?”
Rowan tensed as he remembered the attack on the road. Remembered the look on Sorcha’s face before she had dodged death.
“I daenae ken,” he answered. “They didnae carry any clan markings. Nay plaids. Nay badges.”
Ewan’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Too many coincidences for me likin’.”
Raiders were not uncommon along the Highland roads, but raiders stole what they could carry.
Whoever did this didnae want to take from us. They wanted to weaken us.
Rowan felt the truth settle heavy in his chest. The marriage he had entered into only hours ago for the purpose of strengthening his position might have invited a target on their backs.
“Word of the wedding will spread quickly,” Ewan said after a moment, seeming to read his mind. “A new alliance tends to make certain people restless.”
“Perhaps.”
“That’s all ye have to say?”
Rowan’s gaze drifted across the ruins once more. “If someone wishes to test me borders, they’ll soon regret it.”
Ewan grinned. “Aye, they will.”
“Double the patrols,” Rowan instructed. “And send riders south at first light. If anyone has seen strangers near the borders, I want to be informed.”
Ewan nodded. “I’ll see to it.”
Silence settled between them again, Rowan assessing the damage for more information.
Then Ewan cleared his throat.
“There is… another matter,” he said in a careful tone.
Rowan raised an eyebrow at him. “There always is.”
“An heir would steady things.” Ewan gestured toward the surrounding lands. “The clan has a new lady now. Folks will be watchin’ to see what comes of it.”
