Beneath a Highland Moon (The Highland Moon Series 1) by Gwyn Brodie Page A
Authors: Gwyn Brodie
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naught, but stared across the room.
Gordon had no intention of letting anyone, even his own men, ken he'd learned how Jillian and the lad had gotten out of the castle. Such knowledge could be quite useful. "Where'd she run off to? My men have been out for hours searching for her and have yet to return."
The sword bearer remained quiet.
" Tell me now, or I'll have it tortured out of you!" he shouted, bringing both fists down hard upon the table.
Roderick let out a long sigh. "Since she and the lad are now in safe hands, I see no harm in telling you where she's gone. Lady Jillian went to Ravenskull."
Gordon frowned. Ravenskull! Why the devil did she go there? "With what intent?"
" To secure protection for her brother, as well as seek Laird MacLachlan's assistance in regaining control of Lochstorm."
MacRae experienced a sudden moment of anxiousness. The young Highland laird had a reputation for being an unbeatable opponent in battle, and did indeed lead a sizeable garrison. But Gordon had no intention of giving up Lochstorm without a fight. He'd worked much too hard to get where he was, just to have it all taken away by some lad still wet behind the ears. What he couldn't understand was why Jillian believed that MacLachlan would come to her aid. "Are Jillian and MacLachlan acquaintances?"
He nodded. "Aye, they've known one another for many years."
" Och, then if indeed MacLachlan does come to her aid, I'll be ready for him, and so will my men. As for you, Roderick, the only reason you've been allowed leave of the dungeon thus far, is to prevent an uprising from the people. Having them catch a glimpse of your face now and then around the castle, assured them of my control, and made them believe the lad and lady were still here. By now, they've all heard the rumors of their disappearance. Since I no longer give a damn what the good people of Lochstorm think, I don't need you slipping about the castle spying on me." He turned to the guard standing near the doorway. "Take him to the dungeon."
An hour later , Rowan MacRae strutted into the great hall like a peacock, and sank down into the settle across from him. Several months before, Gordon had run across the young man at The Black Dog Tavern near Stirling. When he'd learned of Rowan's connection to Lochstorm, he seized the opportunity to lure the young man into his web of deception with offers of wealth and position, both important to Rowan. It was he who had sent Gordon the missive that Angus had suffered an accident and died. He'd been his informant ever since. "Ye sent for me?"
" Aye. I need you to keep an eye out for any MacLachlans nosing around Lochstorm. Apparently your lady went to the Laird of Ravenskull for help and he'll certainly be sending someone to check on the situation. If you suspect anything at all, tell me. As I said before, Rowan, you'll be well rewarded for your loyalty. Have you managed to lure any of your kinsmen into giving me their allegiance?"
He squirmed. "Nay, not yet. But I'll keep at 'em 'til they do. I spoke to a couple of the younger lads near my age, and they're mulling it over."
The man was an idiot, but could be useful by acting as Gordon's eyes and ears in the village. "Good, then let's drink to your loyalty and our alliance. Bring me two cups of mead," Gordon shouted at the servant girl scrubbing a table across the room. She quickly obeyed.
Rowan licked his lips as he reached him a goblet.
Gordon raised his cup. "To a long and prosperous alliance." He gulped down the mead.
" Aye," Rowan said, and drained his cup.
***
A light knock at the bedchamber door brought Jillian out of her nap. "Come," she said, yawning.
Glennis entered , carrying an emerald gown across her arm with a pair of matching slippers. "M'lady, Laird MacLachlan returned from the hunt earlier than expected, and has been made aware of yer request to meet with him. Logan will take ye to the solar as soon as ye're dressed. I told the laird of yer need for clothing
Gordon had no intention of letting anyone, even his own men, ken he'd learned how Jillian and the lad had gotten out of the castle. Such knowledge could be quite useful. "Where'd she run off to? My men have been out for hours searching for her and have yet to return."
The sword bearer remained quiet.
" Tell me now, or I'll have it tortured out of you!" he shouted, bringing both fists down hard upon the table.
Roderick let out a long sigh. "Since she and the lad are now in safe hands, I see no harm in telling you where she's gone. Lady Jillian went to Ravenskull."
Gordon frowned. Ravenskull! Why the devil did she go there? "With what intent?"
" To secure protection for her brother, as well as seek Laird MacLachlan's assistance in regaining control of Lochstorm."
MacRae experienced a sudden moment of anxiousness. The young Highland laird had a reputation for being an unbeatable opponent in battle, and did indeed lead a sizeable garrison. But Gordon had no intention of giving up Lochstorm without a fight. He'd worked much too hard to get where he was, just to have it all taken away by some lad still wet behind the ears. What he couldn't understand was why Jillian believed that MacLachlan would come to her aid. "Are Jillian and MacLachlan acquaintances?"
He nodded. "Aye, they've known one another for many years."
" Och, then if indeed MacLachlan does come to her aid, I'll be ready for him, and so will my men. As for you, Roderick, the only reason you've been allowed leave of the dungeon thus far, is to prevent an uprising from the people. Having them catch a glimpse of your face now and then around the castle, assured them of my control, and made them believe the lad and lady were still here. By now, they've all heard the rumors of their disappearance. Since I no longer give a damn what the good people of Lochstorm think, I don't need you slipping about the castle spying on me." He turned to the guard standing near the doorway. "Take him to the dungeon."
An hour later , Rowan MacRae strutted into the great hall like a peacock, and sank down into the settle across from him. Several months before, Gordon had run across the young man at The Black Dog Tavern near Stirling. When he'd learned of Rowan's connection to Lochstorm, he seized the opportunity to lure the young man into his web of deception with offers of wealth and position, both important to Rowan. It was he who had sent Gordon the missive that Angus had suffered an accident and died. He'd been his informant ever since. "Ye sent for me?"
" Aye. I need you to keep an eye out for any MacLachlans nosing around Lochstorm. Apparently your lady went to the Laird of Ravenskull for help and he'll certainly be sending someone to check on the situation. If you suspect anything at all, tell me. As I said before, Rowan, you'll be well rewarded for your loyalty. Have you managed to lure any of your kinsmen into giving me their allegiance?"
He squirmed. "Nay, not yet. But I'll keep at 'em 'til they do. I spoke to a couple of the younger lads near my age, and they're mulling it over."
The man was an idiot, but could be useful by acting as Gordon's eyes and ears in the village. "Good, then let's drink to your loyalty and our alliance. Bring me two cups of mead," Gordon shouted at the servant girl scrubbing a table across the room. She quickly obeyed.
Rowan licked his lips as he reached him a goblet.
Gordon raised his cup. "To a long and prosperous alliance." He gulped down the mead.
" Aye," Rowan said, and drained his cup.
***
A light knock at the bedchamber door brought Jillian out of her nap. "Come," she said, yawning.
Glennis entered , carrying an emerald gown across her arm with a pair of matching slippers. "M'lady, Laird MacLachlan returned from the hunt earlier than expected, and has been made aware of yer request to meet with him. Logan will take ye to the solar as soon as ye're dressed. I told the laird of yer need for clothing
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