Page 8 of The Eagle

Of all the brothers, Duncan was the least diplomatic. If he had been named laird, times like these would have been quite entertaining. Then again, they would probably be at war with at least two clans by now.

“I wonder if he has any alliances on the Hebrides?” Darach said, ignoring Duncan’s outburst. “If he’s friends with, let’s say, the Uisdein, then we may have something to worry about.”

Stuart frowned. “I doubt that bastard would try anything against us after taking ye prisoner.” The Uisdein had imprisoned Darach when he’d gone to ask about a man named Cairn, who’d disappeared after attempting to start an uprising against the Ross’s.

“The Maclean and the Uisdein do have something in common,” Darach acknowledged, scratching his chin. “Both feel slighted by us.”

“We should reinforce the guards on our northern border just in case.” Duncan blew out a breath. “I will go with twenty men. Beatrice will be protected as Caelan will not allow anything to happen to her.”

For many years, Caelan and Duncan shared a huge house south of the keep. When Duncan married Beatrice, she along with her companion, Orla, came to live there as well.

“Very well. Go get rest and then depart in the morning.”—Darach hesitated—“Wait until after first meal. Let us see if the laird deems it time to disclose something.”

Chapter Three

A light across her face brought Cait out of deep slumber. She immediately sat up with a gasp. Why had she been allowed to sleep in so late? Or perhaps she’d not heard the knocks when morning call had come.

She dressed in haste and winced as she stood and began walking. Her feet remained sore from the long day before.

Upon entering the busy kitchen, she understood. She was ushered aside as women passed by heading to the great room with trays laden with food. Cait almost wept with gratefulness at seeing that Greer had sent for several women from the village to help with the kitchen work that morning.

“Once ye break yer fast, see about vegetables for last meal,” Greer instructed. The older woman bustled about the kitchen giving out instructions to those cooking and others filling platters and bowls.

How the woman found so much energy, Cait was not sure.

“What do ye wish for me to harvest?” Cait asked. “There is not much yet. The plantings are young.”

The woman stopped to consider. “Aye, ye are correct. We will make meat pies for last meal. Go to the village and see if ye can purchase something there. Anything will do.”

Cait had hoped to go see about her mother and brother that day, but since the visiting laird had extended his visit, it would probably not be possible.

Making a list in her mind of what was left at the house for them to eat, she realized there wasn’t much.

“May I take some bread to my mother and brother?” she asked doing her best to ignore the pang of embarrassment. “They may not have anything left to eat as I have not been able to bring food.”

Greer continued to watch as the two maids filled bowls, then lifted the trays and walked out. “Ye have time to go home and check on them. Just be sure to be quick about it. Take the sack there.” She pointed to the sack in the corner. “It has what was left of yesterday’s bread. And cut some of the sausage to take as well.”

The head cook turned away when a woman called to ask about whatever she was stirring over the heat, so she didn’t see Cait’s reddened face.

That she had to beg for food was not a good feeling; however, embarrassment was a small price to pay to ensure her family were fed.

With the sack of food for her family and coins to purchase what was needed for last meal, Cait walked out the kitchen door and past the garden, to find someone to take her to the village.

It would have been an impossible task with her sore feet to walk all the way to her home and back, and then to complete her daily duties. Thankfully, with the added task of going to the village, she could use one of the carts and do both.

Upon seeing a lad, she motioned him over. “I require a cart and a horse. Can ye find one, as well as someone to take me to my family’s cottage and the village?”

“I will take ye,” the young man replied with earnest. “My master requires me to fetch items from there today as well.”

“Can ye be gone for so long? I must stop to see my mother,” Cait asked, not wishing to get him in trouble with whoever his taskmaster was.

“I will ask Mister Stuart.” The young man raced away toward the side of the keep.

Curious as to what happened, Cait followed him around the side building. Men were setting up archery targets while others set up a short fence of sorts.

Standing with arms crossed watching the goings-on was the visiting laird’s son. Upon spotting her, he glared in her direction.

Cait took a step back.