Page 9 of Highlander’s Mercenary Lass

Paton offered him his hand, which for the first time, Andrew picked up to shake.

"And mine too," he said generously. "For bringing such bad news to the clan."

"Dinnae fash," said Paton. "It's a shock. But ye must come wi' me tae the castle an’ join us for supper."

Andrew shook his head. "Nay, I cannae," he said cagily. "I have tae be on my way afore sundown. The thing is, the laird's death is only part o' the reason for my journey. The real reason is something else. There is still much ye dinnae ken."

Paton looked up. "What do ye mean?" he said, his eyes narrowing.

"I mean..." Andrew paused. Once again, finding the words was not easy. "Ah, that the laird, when he was...laying there...ye ken...he had something he wanted me tae do for him..."

Paton's eyes widened. "Go on, lad."

Andrew got the impression that he was exasperated. He didn't blame him. He had made a meal of telling him anything so far.

"The laird said I am tae find a bairn who left these lands twenty years ago," said Andrew, fixing Paton with his serious gaze. "An' that ye are the man tae ask. He said ye'll ken what I mean. An' who I mean."

Paton's florid face paled visibly as Andrew spoke, and Andrew did not understand why he looked so perplexed.

"An' do what?" said Paton, eventually recovering himself. He looked at Andrew dead in the eye. Not for the first time, Andrew got a hint of displeasure from him. Then, in an instant, it was all gone. Paton's creased brow straightened, and his thin lips twisted into a smile. Andrew noticed that his eyes did not move.

"An' bring her back here, tae the Duncan clan." He paused. "Tae the castle. Tae meet her family an' wi' a view tae having a place in the future ruling o' the clan, I suppose."

Paton watched him edgily. "Ye suppose?" he said.

"The laird was a wee bit vague on the details," admitted Andrew. "There wasnae much time left. But he was clear about one thing. He wanted me tae find his lassie an' bring her home. He said I should start wi' ye. So, do ye think ye can help me?"

There was a tense pause as Andrew looked straight into Paton's eyes. For a moment, they stood there, staring.

"Aye," said Paton slowly. "I can help ye."