Page 38 of Kilted Hate

“Someone else needs to continue reading this, for I don’t think my eyes will let me read any further,” she said, holding the book out to the twins.

Thora took it, while Katherine lay down on the chaise lounge, and snuggling until she was comfortable, she closed her eyes as Thora began where Katherine had left off.

A strange movement woke Katherine, as though she were back in that boat on her way to Scotland. She seemed to be rocking back and forth, and when she finally opened her eyes, she jumped a little as she glared up at a strange sight.

Domhnall looked down at her with a light smile. “It’s all right,” he said softly. “I’ve got ye.”

And he did have her, for with what looked like no effort at all, Laird MacLeod had Katherine wrapped in his arms and was carrying her down a corridor.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

After Domhnall had given orders to his soldiers to go into the forest and collect the men he had tied up, he had led Magnus to his study. With whisky poured, he had relayed to his brother about the attack.

“They came out o’ nowhere. I hadnae seen or heard them ‘afore that.”

“Our own kinsmen?” Magnus pressed.

Domhnall shook his head. “All English. They didnae have the English colors, but I heard them speak. Or, I should say, cry out.”

Magnus had paced back and forth, assimilating the information. “There has tae be some connection tae those birlinns.”

“I agree,” Domhnall had replied. “In fact, I think it’s obvious their arrival has everything tae dae with those boats. It’s too much o’ a coincidence.”

“What about the reports from the scouts?” Magnus asked.

“They’re still coming in, but so far, none o’ them have found anyone who isnae meant tae be on this island. That being said, it’s a large area o’ land tae cover. It’ll tak’ them weeks if nae months tae cover it all.”

The brothers had sat in silence for a little while, and then Magnus had said. “But this doesnae mak’ any sense. The king has decreed that ye marry tae supposedly build an alliance. Why would he send Katherine, and then attack us?”

Domhnall had shook his head. “I dinnae ken, braither. It mak’s me wonder…”

“What?” Magnus pressed.

Domhnall had looked him directly in the eye. “What if these men havenae been sent by the king?”

Magnus had frowned and shook his head. “Who else would they be sent by?”

His brother shrugged. “Honestly, I dinnae ken. When they’re brought back here, I’ll have a fine time asking them that question.”

Magnus had left some time later, and Domhnall had spent the next hour reading the reports the scouts had been sending in again. The scouts had documented how many people they hadspoken to, as well as the areas they had covered. None of the locals had seen anything suspicious or unusual either, which only made this situation even more frustrating. There were no leads, no clues to follow, and yet, today had proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that there were people on this island that did not belong.

He had been in the middle of another report, when a knock on his door had disturbed him.

“Come.”

He lifted his head and watched Enya enter.

“Hello, braither,” she said, moving across the room towards his desk. “Katherine is sleeping. Brianna gave her a tonic, though perhaps a little too much, and she’s now in her bedchamber resting.”

Domhnall leaned back in his chair and nodded. “Thank ye, Enya. I think she got quite a fright.”

But it was more than that. As well as worrying about her welfare, Domhnall had a niggling feeling in the back of his mind that she had seen more than she should have.

“Something else is troubling ye,” Enya said.

Domhnall smiled. “I thought it was only Magnus that could read my mind.”

Enya smirked. “I dinnae need tae read yer mind when yer feelings are dancing all over yer face. What is it?”

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