Page 43 of The Best of Madeline Grant
Connor didn’t hesitate this time, his quick response as telling as the words he chose. “Because I think she’s being used, and I’d like to know why.” He glanced at his mother. “At first, I believed what I saw, Mama, but there’s something in her eyes. I think she’s being coerced…and I won’t stand for a woman being used. Not after what you went through.”
Aunt Maddie stood up and whispered, “Oh, Connor.” She fell back into motherly tone. “You do what you must, and what your heart tells you to do.” She leaned over to kiss her youngest son’s forehead, then turned to Uncle Alex and said, “We must support him in this.”
Uncle Alex nodded. “We will. Whatever assistance you need in Edinburgh, you let us know. We trust you, son.”
“And in England? Because I suspect that’s where their trail will lead us,” Connor stated.
“Wherever, Connor. Do as you must,” Uncle Alex said. “Just don’t be foolish. We have hundreds of guards and many allies to back you up. Use them as necessary.”
Jake asked an important question, one that hadn’t come to Gregor’s mind. “And would King Alexander agree?”
Uncle Alex said, “Our king is in mourning. In the meantime, he trusts the Grants and the Ramsays to make sure the Highlands are safe. He’ll not question our motives or our actions.”
“Even if we go against the English?” Gregor asked.
“Even then. The hatred between the two kings is well-known. Everyone knows how rare it was for them to come together to support Maggie and Will’s work against the Channel. Both kings will be glad for your efforts, though do not expect them to ever come together again.”
“In other words, Connor, do whatever it takes,” Jamie said. “Jake and I will have enough warriors for you. Send a missive with the number of guards you need, and we’ll send that and fifty more.” Jake nodded in agreement.
Gregor could not help but smile. The Dubh men didn’t realize that the worst thing in the world had just happened to them.
Aunt Maddie had made the Channel her mission, in a way. Which meant it was also Alexander Grant’s mission.
They were about to stamp out the Channel once and for all.
Connor said, “I will find out what holds those two lasses. I promise you.”
Highland Brawn
Connor and Sela
Chapter Nine
It wasn’t often that Maddie became involved in the activities of her husband’s guards, but she would not be deterred when it came to a three-year-old.
“Please, Alex,” Maddie said, quietly so as not to awaken their son. “This cannot wait.”
Alex took her hand and led her out of the healing chamber. They passed through the great hall on their way back to the chamber they’d been using since their arrival. Logan tried to stop them, but Alex shook his head. “After I speak with my wife.”
Logan nodded and stepped back, indicating his issue could indeed wait.
Once they were inside their chamber, Alex turned on his heel to look at her.
Maddie’s belly churned inside, so much that she was powerless to ignore it. Everything told her she needed to take action, so she would. “Alex, you must take me to Berwick and bring that bairn to me.”
Alex just quirked his brow at her, considering what she’d said. She wasn’t sure how she would convince him, but she knew she must, because if he didn’t escort her back to steal that child away, she’d have to go on her own. Sela wasn’t well enough to make the journey, and Maddie wouldn’t be able to relax until she knew that bairn was out of the clutches of those awful men.
She would get her way on this.
Apparently, her face had moved a wee bit, betraying her thoughts.
“Maddie, I know that look. You wish to save that child, and we will, but the lass is surrounded by over a hundred English warriors. We cannot just walk in and demand they turn her over to us.”
“Alex, we must protect the children.”
“I understand your noble cause, but there are larger forces at work.”
“The bastards subjected a bairn of three summers to torture. Those are the kind of memories that will stay with a child for decades. And who’s caring for her while her mother is here healing? Is she being tortured even now?”
