regarding
his habit of retreating to Trailinghail whenever Alex infuriated him.
Rob had never thought of his visits that way. He had loved the tower since first visiting his grandparents there. That it
had provided a summertime escape from Alex’s stern guardianship was true, so he could see how Alex might perceive those visits
as he did. However, Rob had given no thought to living there permanently.
His tenants’ delight over the improvements he had made did make it clear that
they
hoped he might make his home there. He would certainly not mind staying longer than usual. And with a hostage to look after,
he would have good reason.
Other details had brought form to his plan. The unusual frequency with which thoughts of the lady Mairi had leaped to mind
had led the way.
She’d had a strong impact on him from the moment he’d met her. Having no sisters and little memory of his parents, he had
no idea how most men felt about their daughters. But he knew how
he
would feel about one such as she was. Surely,
her
father, having known the lass from birth, would value her even more. Would Dunwythie not therefore do whatever he must to
ensure her safe return?
Sakes, Rob told himself, looking at her, any man would!
Aware that his brother’s patience with Dunwythie, never long, had neared its end, Rob had decided he would have to settle
the matter before Easter.
Having nearly six weeks until then, he had not meant to act so precipitously.
Impulse had occasionally led to his undoing in the past, and he had promised himself each time that he’d take greater care
in future. But it was useless to make that vow now. The deed was done, and the tide was ebbing.
By now, the water was so low in the upper Firth that even if he’d wanted to take her back, they would run aground long before
reaching Annan. But he did
not
want to take her back, for a multitude of reasons having naught to do with the tides.
Chief among them was that if he could get Dunwythie to submit, Clan Maxwell would gain considerable power, increase their
wealth, and everyone would avoid war. Also, surely, the administration of the dales would be fairer for everyone under one
sheriff, and local government would run smoothly.
There were risks, though, not least of which was the Lord of Galloway. The best course with Archie, Rob had decided, was to
see that Dunwythie submitted and brought the other lairds into line quickly and without raising a dust.
As to Dunwythie, Rob’s objective was to persuade the man without drawing suspicion to himself. But he had not yet decided
just how to approach Dunwythie when the time came.
In the meantime, he meant to make the lass as comfortable as anyone could.
These thoughts, mostly reassuring, poured through his mind for some time between issuing orders to his crew, covertly studying
his captive, and taking his helmsman’s place for a few miles now and again to let the man stretch—until he realized he was
just trying to assuage his feelings of guilt for taking her.
Aside from the flashes of anger he had detected, she had not even protested her capture. At present, she watched a pair of
otters playing and seemed content, so he did not disturb her.
The men took to their oars and rowed whenever an especially strong current challenged their course or the fickle wind briefly
shifted to a new quarter. Between bouts of rowing, they rested. But when they entered the widest part of the Firth, where
wind and tide grew more turbulent, Rob set them all to rowing steadily.
Noting that the lass had put up her hood and huddled against the stem locker to avoid the wind, he went down the narrow center
walkway toward her.
Her gaze met his, and he detected serenity in her eyes again.
When he was near enough, she said, “Prithee, sir, take me home.”
Mairi saw a blizzard of oystercatchers flash through the air behind Maxwell as he stood there, apparently frozen in place
by her polite
his habit of retreating to Trailinghail whenever Alex infuriated him.
Rob had never thought of his visits that way. He had loved the tower since first visiting his grandparents there. That it
had provided a summertime escape from Alex’s stern guardianship was true, so he could see how Alex might perceive those visits
as he did. However, Rob had given no thought to living there permanently.
His tenants’ delight over the improvements he had made did make it clear that
they
hoped he might make his home there. He would certainly not mind staying longer than usual. And with a hostage to look after,
he would have good reason.
Other details had brought form to his plan. The unusual frequency with which thoughts of the lady Mairi had leaped to mind
had led the way.
She’d had a strong impact on him from the moment he’d met her. Having no sisters and little memory of his parents, he had
no idea how most men felt about their daughters. But he knew how
he
would feel about one such as she was. Surely,
her
father, having known the lass from birth, would value her even more. Would Dunwythie not therefore do whatever he must to
ensure her safe return?
Sakes, Rob told himself, looking at her, any man would!
Aware that his brother’s patience with Dunwythie, never long, had neared its end, Rob had decided he would have to settle
the matter before Easter.
Having nearly six weeks until then, he had not meant to act so precipitously.
Impulse had occasionally led to his undoing in the past, and he had promised himself each time that he’d take greater care
in future. But it was useless to make that vow now. The deed was done, and the tide was ebbing.
By now, the water was so low in the upper Firth that even if he’d wanted to take her back, they would run aground long before
reaching Annan. But he did
not
want to take her back, for a multitude of reasons having naught to do with the tides.
Chief among them was that if he could get Dunwythie to submit, Clan Maxwell would gain considerable power, increase their
wealth, and everyone would avoid war. Also, surely, the administration of the dales would be fairer for everyone under one
sheriff, and local government would run smoothly.
There were risks, though, not least of which was the Lord of Galloway. The best course with Archie, Rob had decided, was to
see that Dunwythie submitted and brought the other lairds into line quickly and without raising a dust.
As to Dunwythie, Rob’s objective was to persuade the man without drawing suspicion to himself. But he had not yet decided
just how to approach Dunwythie when the time came.
In the meantime, he meant to make the lass as comfortable as anyone could.
These thoughts, mostly reassuring, poured through his mind for some time between issuing orders to his crew, covertly studying
his captive, and taking his helmsman’s place for a few miles now and again to let the man stretch—until he realized he was
just trying to assuage his feelings of guilt for taking her.
Aside from the flashes of anger he had detected, she had not even protested her capture. At present, she watched a pair of
otters playing and seemed content, so he did not disturb her.
The men took to their oars and rowed whenever an especially strong current challenged their course or the fickle wind briefly
shifted to a new quarter. Between bouts of rowing, they rested. But when they entered the widest part of the Firth, where
wind and tide grew more turbulent, Rob set them all to rowing steadily.
Noting that the lass had put up her hood and huddled against the stem locker to avoid the wind, he went down the narrow center
walkway toward her.
Her gaze met his, and he detected serenity in her eyes again.
When he was near enough, she said, “Prithee, sir, take me home.”
Mairi saw a blizzard of oystercatchers flash through the air behind Maxwell as he stood there, apparently frozen in place
by her polite
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