Granted, only those who share the rebels' cause would dare deny us entry, but why strain the good graces of the king's loyal subjects when there's no need? According to the prior, your family is well known in these parts. We see it as an advantageous barter. We'll protect you on your journey and you can repay us through your good will and knowledge of your neighbors' loyalty."
They planned to search every home in the Highlands?
Leah felt like slapping her head at their stupidity. Did they not understand that many of these Scots were so highly territorial they didn't even welcome their own let alone those riding under the banner of King Edward?
No wonder the history books would be brimming with battles.
Andrew apparently shared her concern.
"I canna speak to my neighbors' political leanings. Hut I'd be surprised if any, even those whose loyalty to Edward is without question, would willing open their gates to yer inspection."
"As if this godforsaken place holds any loyal to our king," one of Moreland's men scoffed.
"God has not forsaken Scotland, my sons." Brother John's soft voice drew all heads his direction as he joined them at the foot of the stairs. "He resides here, in fact, inside the walls of our priory."
"Standish!" Moreland barked.
"My apologies,- good brother. I meant no offense."
The man who had spoken dipped his head respectfully in the prior's direction though Leah could find no sincerity in his face.
"None taken." Brother John favored them all with one of his gentle smiles. "Still, Andrew makes a point. In these troublesome times, many a good Highlander is reluctant to open his gates to a band of strangers."
"And ten men—even good ones such as these who follow you, Moreland—ten men are no enough to force yer way through castle walls." Andrew climbed onto his mount as he spoke, then guided his horse closer to Leah's.
Moreland nodded his head thoughtfully, as if he considered their objections. Still, Leah would swear that something in his eyes belied his every action.
That or she simply didn't trust the man.
"I see your concern now. But, truly, you've no cause to worry over us. These are but a small sampling of the men who crossed over the Tweed with me. We broke into smaller groups to search more effectively but, should we run into any resistance, it would take no time at all to reassemble the full complement."
"Well, that settles that, I suppose. Are you quite ready, dearling?"
Andrew reached out to cover Leah's hand with his, giving her a smile that, as her mother used to say, all but curled her toes. She'd give him credit for one thing. The man would make one heck of a Hollywood heart-
throb and his acting was absolutely first rate. If she didn't know better, just watching him in action, even she'd be tempted to believe they actually were newly-weds.
What the hell had he managed to get himself into?
Drew cast a quick glance at the woman who rode by his side. She sat, back regally straight, eyes fixed forward, as calm as if every word of the story he'd told these soldiers was fact.
But of course she would. It was exactly what he would expect of a Fae.
He couldn't help but wonder if in truth she felt as calm as she looked. He certainly didn't.
By day's end they'd wind around into the valley where MacPherson Hall nestled. Him dragging a passel of English soldiers and a woman on the run right into his sister's home. And not just any woman, but one who was likely related to the Fae.
And though he worried a little about his brother-in-law's dislike of the English, it was his sister's temper that gave him more concern. With Moreland and his men tagging along, he'd have no choice but to carry on his charade about bringing home a new wife. Sallie would make his life a living hell when she finally learned he had lied to her, no matter what his. reason now.
He only hoped Leah understood the importance of keeping up their story once they reached MacPherson Hall.
The thought ate at him, his mind
They planned to search every home in the Highlands?
Leah felt like slapping her head at their stupidity. Did they not understand that many of these Scots were so highly territorial they didn't even welcome their own let alone those riding under the banner of King Edward?
No wonder the history books would be brimming with battles.
Andrew apparently shared her concern.
"I canna speak to my neighbors' political leanings. Hut I'd be surprised if any, even those whose loyalty to Edward is without question, would willing open their gates to yer inspection."
"As if this godforsaken place holds any loyal to our king," one of Moreland's men scoffed.
"God has not forsaken Scotland, my sons." Brother John's soft voice drew all heads his direction as he joined them at the foot of the stairs. "He resides here, in fact, inside the walls of our priory."
"Standish!" Moreland barked.
"My apologies,- good brother. I meant no offense."
The man who had spoken dipped his head respectfully in the prior's direction though Leah could find no sincerity in his face.
"None taken." Brother John favored them all with one of his gentle smiles. "Still, Andrew makes a point. In these troublesome times, many a good Highlander is reluctant to open his gates to a band of strangers."
"And ten men—even good ones such as these who follow you, Moreland—ten men are no enough to force yer way through castle walls." Andrew climbed onto his mount as he spoke, then guided his horse closer to Leah's.
Moreland nodded his head thoughtfully, as if he considered their objections. Still, Leah would swear that something in his eyes belied his every action.
That or she simply didn't trust the man.
"I see your concern now. But, truly, you've no cause to worry over us. These are but a small sampling of the men who crossed over the Tweed with me. We broke into smaller groups to search more effectively but, should we run into any resistance, it would take no time at all to reassemble the full complement."
"Well, that settles that, I suppose. Are you quite ready, dearling?"
Andrew reached out to cover Leah's hand with his, giving her a smile that, as her mother used to say, all but curled her toes. She'd give him credit for one thing. The man would make one heck of a Hollywood heart-
throb and his acting was absolutely first rate. If she didn't know better, just watching him in action, even she'd be tempted to believe they actually were newly-weds.
What the hell had he managed to get himself into?
Drew cast a quick glance at the woman who rode by his side. She sat, back regally straight, eyes fixed forward, as calm as if every word of the story he'd told these soldiers was fact.
But of course she would. It was exactly what he would expect of a Fae.
He couldn't help but wonder if in truth she felt as calm as she looked. He certainly didn't.
By day's end they'd wind around into the valley where MacPherson Hall nestled. Him dragging a passel of English soldiers and a woman on the run right into his sister's home. And not just any woman, but one who was likely related to the Fae.
And though he worried a little about his brother-in-law's dislike of the English, it was his sister's temper that gave him more concern. With Moreland and his men tagging along, he'd have no choice but to carry on his charade about bringing home a new wife. Sallie would make his life a living hell when she finally learned he had lied to her, no matter what his. reason now.
He only hoped Leah understood the importance of keeping up their story once they reached MacPherson Hall.
The thought ate at him, his mind
Similar Books
