Page 72 of Cherished By A Highlander

Shade shook her head at his incredulous remark. “You cannot be serious.”

“But I am. It could easily lure Asher and Lord Torrance into a trap. I would get to have my revenge against Asher after learning who hired him to kill Amara and the monks, and Clan MacLeish will get another chance to defeat Lord Torrance.”

“Asher might feel the same, having you somewhere convenient where he could end your life with little difficulty and with the help of Lord Torrance,” Shade argued.

“But I will be ready for him. I won’t need to go searching for him and I won’t face him alone. I have the whole Clan MacLeish to help me while I, in turn, help them.”

That more than appealed to Shade. It would mean her not having to bid him goodbye and worry that he might never return if his hunt for Asher went badly.

“Though it would be prudent if we waited for Dru to return and see what she learns about Asher before a decision is made,” Quint said.

“On that I agree,” Shade conceded and walked toward him, his arm reaching out for her after taking only one step.

He embraced her as he always did with warmth and strength that comforted her. She felt like she did when she stepped into her cottage, that she was home. Quint’s arms, his strength, his love was now her home, and nothing could be more welcoming.

“Tellme how I am to trust you when you went behind my back and did this,” Quint demanded of Nug.

“It is the only way, and we have no time to lose,” Nug said in defense of his actions.

Quint glared at Nug, ready to ring the man’s neck. “I specifically asked you to wait until Dru returned with news.”

“She is already a day late. It could wait no longer,” Nug argued.

“But you never waited. You sent Rufus three days ago, only two days after we discussed this, with a message for Lord Torrance that I would rule Clan MacLeish in his name until he arrives. And who informed me about this? My wife. Rufus’s daughter Bethy told my wife how much she misses her da and she can’t wait until he comes home. It didn’t take much to realize where he had gone or who might have sent him since he would have never left his family so soon after reuniting with them.”

“Rufus’ family does well, and he is grateful. The lass’ hearing has greatly improved since Shade cleared her ears of the wax with her ear pick. Several others in the clan who have difficulty hearing have gone to her and have had good results as well.”

“That may be so, but changing the talk to his daughter’s hearing will not help the matter. You were wrong, Nug,” Quint said, ready to lash out in anger at the man for being so foolish but knowing it would not help the situation.

“I had no choice. I had to protect my clan, and Rufus was the obvious choice in who to send. He’s proven trustworthy.”

“Trustworthy? Or was it the incentive for him to accept the task since his wife and daughters reside safely here and would continue to do so? Something I have no doubt you reminded him about.”

“He saw the wisdom in our plan and offered to help and, aye, it was because he wanted his family kept safe just like we all do.”

“I hope you advised Rufus wisely so that Lord Torrance doesn’t force him to return to the mercenaries while he sends another in his place.”

“I did. I told him to let Lord Torrance know that The Monk trusts him and his word and that he should tell him that The Monk did take some mercenaries prisoners since they were being greedy, trying to take what rightfully belonged to LordTorrance. I also told Rufus not to worry if Torrance sent some men with him that we would take care of them when he arrived home.”

“Home. A word he no doubt cherished.”

“Don’t we all?” Nug asked.

The door opened and Shade entered. “Why do I hear whispers of The Monk ruling the clan? Had we not decided to wait on Dru’s return to decide?”

Quint cast Nug an angry glance.

“I may have mentioned something to one person,” Nug confessed.

Shade looked at Nug bewildered. “One person is all that is necessary to spread news in a clan.”

“Nug was just about to take his leave,” Quint said, dismissing the man.

Shade said nothing, realizing her husband would speak with her alone to explain.

Nug nodded and walked to the door.

“NUG!” Quint shouted, stopping him.

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