Kilts and Daggers by Victoria Roberts

else to ye?”
    â€œOther than the fact that we Highlanders look all alike… She said the man had a large scar over his left eye. Nay one comes to mind, but I told her that I knew him so she doesnae worry upon it.”
    Ruairi rubbed his chin, and his eyes darted back and forth between Fagan and Ravenna. “Do ye think she’s certain of what she saw?”
    â€œYes, my sister does not lie.”
    â€œI didnae say that she does, but I need to be certain of what or who she saw. God’s teeth. Who the hell would encroach on my lands again?” His lips thinned with irritation.
    By the way Ruairi asked the question, Fagan didn’t think his friend had expected a response. “Do ye want me to increase the guard along the border?”
    â€œAye. Advise the men about what little we know and have them keep a watchful eye. I’m also going to send a missive to Ian. After our brush with the Gordon, I will nae leave anything to chance.”
    â€œFagan, please don’t mention any of this to my sisters, Grace in particular. For some reason, she’s bound and determined to take my place and work for the king. Up until now, she’s been quite harmless in her pursuit, albeit somewhat annoying. If she discovers the guard was not one of ours, I’m afraid she’ll do something rash and search for the man herself. That kind of thinking is dangerous. You can understand why I can’t let her believe she’s capable of undertaking such a task.”
    Fagan knew his mouth was tight and grim. At first, he might have been taken aback by Ravenna’s words, but he knew now that Grace would be foolhardy enough to pursue something like that. He couldn’t imagine her being a spy for the English. Her actions were reckless, careless, and she’d surely get herself killed. “When was the idea planted that she wanted to be a spy for the Crown?”
    Ravenna sighed. “Shortly after she found out I served the king. I thought perhaps her innocent questions were only a passing fancy, but now that I’ve seen how eager she is to learn, it worries me. Uncle Walter and I have tried to deter her, but—”
    â€œI wouldnae worry overmuch. I donna think she would ever close her mouth long enough to accomplish the task. Furthermore, she’s to be wed. What does her betrothed think?”
    â€œDaniel doesn’t know. She wanted to keep it a secret from him. The same as I did from my sisters.”
    â€œAye, that would be a fine marriage filled with naught but lies and distrust between them.” When Ruairi lifted a brow, Fagan added, “I will nae say anything about the man.”
    â€œâ€™Tis but another day in the Highlands, lass. I donna want ye to think about this. Fagan and my men will find out if anything is afoot.” Ruairi’s eyes gave Ravenna a firm warning. “But ye arenae to do anything. Ye are nay longer a spy. Ye’ve retired from service, remember? Ye are now my wife, Lady Sutherland.”
    Fagan stood. “I’ll leave ye and speak to the men.”
    * * *
    When Grace spotted the guards, she stepped back, placing her rump against the stone wall in the bailey. Perhaps she was thinking about this the wrong way. If she was going to search for the guard who was in the woods, she should follow Ravenna’s advice. Her sister had always told her to blend into her surroundings, and Grace was the sister-in-law of the laird. No one would think it odd that she was in the bailey. Besides, it wasn’t as if she needed to follow the man. She only needed to find him.
    Even though Fagan said he knew the mute guard, Grace had a strong yearning to perfect her spying skills. What better opportunity than now? More to the point, since Ravenna was hesitant to assist her in this endeavor, always being the protective sister and all, Grace would make certain her sister guided her—willingly or not.
    She stepped away from the wall and made her