Page 17 of The Eagle

His gaze was flat, his face drawn. Letting out a breath, he neared and held out his hand. “I am returning to Skye. I cannot thank ye enough for everything.”

Stuart and Duncan started to leave, but Darach stopped them. “I need for ye both to hear this.”

“Join me for a moment.” Darach motioned to two chairs while Stuart poured Darach and Lennox a drink.

His brother met Lennox’s gaze for a long moment. “Ye return in order to save someone from harm I take it.”

Lennox nodded. “He gives me no choice. I fear he will mistreat others because of me. If I can ask one thing . . . Will ye allow the men to remain? It is not safe for them to return until after I am laird.”

“They can remain,” Darach said without hesitation.

“Who is in peril?” Stuart asked giving Lennox a glass of whiskey.

“Our family is filled with many secrets. If I were to speak of one, it would be easy to continue to tell of more.” Lennox swallowed the amber liquid. “I must return and speak to my men. We leave in the morning.”

“I took over this clan from a man whom I detested,” Darach began. “Thankfully, I have five brothers who have stood with me and given me the support I have needed throughout. Without them, I am not sure I would have succeeded. Speak to yer brother, ask him to be yer right hand.”

“Liam is bitter,” Lennox said. “It is hard for him to accept his lack of any power.”

“Then give him some,” Darach said. “Not only did I split the lands with my brothers, but each chose what they wanted to have as their primary duty. Ewan and Stuart are the best archers in the land. They are responsible for the recruitment, training, and command of our archers.”

He motioned to Duncan. “Duncan takes my place as laird whenever I go away. If he does not stand in for me, then Stuart or Caelan does.”

Lennox leaned forward ensuring to hear each word Darach said.

“Our half brother, Caelan, shares our southern estate and lands with Duncan. He attended impressive schools in the lowlands and has a head for numbers. Caelan controls the finances and oversees the clan ledgers. Our youngest brother, Gideon, is still learning his way. For now, he is a scout and warrior.”

“What stops any of them from attempting to take yer place as laird?” Lennox asked looking from Darach to Stuart and then to Duncan.

His brother’s lips curved. “Each other, I suppose. If my brothers decided to oust me, I will have to presume it would be for good reason.”

“I do not know if I have as much trust in my brothers. There is another, Lachlan, he is third-born.”

“Yer parents had an affinity for the letter L?” Stuart asked.

“It would seem,” Lennox replied with a soft smile. “We are each named after ancestors.”

“Are ye sure to return then?” Darach asked.

“Aye, I must. It is my duty to the clan,” Lennox replied. “My father has requested a meal in his bedchamber.”

Darach motioned to Duncan. “My brother and I can spend some time after last meal with ye and answer any questions ye may have.”

“I cannot thank ye enough. That ye do not resent that I did not divulge who I was makes me respect ye even more.”

Chapter Five

When the strap of her knapsack became uncomfortable, Cait moved it to her other shoulder, as she trudged through the forest toward home. Knowing she had a long walk home after her duties were completed, Greer always did her best to allow Cait to leave as soon as last meal was served.

Fall was approaching and the weather was quite chilly that day. Pulling her shawl tighter around her shoulders, she quickened her pace, ready to be inside the warmth of home. But at the sound of leaves rustling, she froze and listened. The snorts of a boar made her blood run cold. She’d run into wild animals before on her daily treks to and from the keep, but thankfully never a boar.

After a moment, except for the wind sifting through the trees, the woods were once again silent. Just as she decided it was safe to resume her walk home, a boar and her two piglets appeared in the path. Cait wasn’t sure what to do. If the animal considered her a threat to her young, she would not hesitate to attack. In hopes the animal would continue on its way, Cait took two steps sideways and stood behind a tree.

Just then someone whistled a strange tune. One high shrill whistle followed by two short lower pitched ones. Whoever it was seemed to be in a good mood. Cait moved around the tree so now she was out of view from both the boar and whoever approached. This was turning out to be quite an annoying walk home.

A horseman came into view. Whoever it was allowed his steed to meander at a leisurely pace. When he whistled again, she peeked around the tree. It was Stuart Ross.

“Ugh,” he said, and she knew he’d seen the boar.