Page 39 of Love Beyond Time
Ramsay watched as the man turned and made his way out of the room. He’d intended to warn them, to make them fear what was coming, but now that he knew the Conalls were suspicious, he found himself less comfortable with the idea of a straightforward attack.
“Gregory, find yer way in here at once!”
Quickly the man burst through the doorway and stood before Ramsay, awaiting his instructions.
“Ye are the most cunning lad I have in my command. Ye know how to surprise an enemy, how to throw them off course of yer plan. I need ye to advise me on a matter.”
“Of course, sire.”
“We will soon be planning an attack against Conall Castle. It is my intention to destroy all who reside under the castle’s protection. It seems Eoin and his brother have heard news of a possible attack, and I doona want them to suspect us in any way.”
Ramsay watched as the young lad took in the news with a look of shock. An attack on Conall Castle would be a surprise to all who served him. The two clans had been allies for decades.
“Give them cause to suspect another clan. Send me to Conall Castle, but dress me in the tartan of a distant clan. I will say I am a runaway criminal, seeking refuge with the clan for the information I bring to them. I will tell them that my laird is planning to attack them.”
Ramsay clasped the boy on the shoulders. “Aye, perfect. Ride out come morning.”
Chapter 25
“Where’s Arran? I haven’t seen him all day.” I sat down in my usual place as we gathered for the evening meal. I’d spent the day with Mary, gathering the herbs needed for the spell, while Eoin had searched through Alasdair’s things looking for the ring. Although I’d finished the day with an armload of needed herbs, Eoin’s hunt had been less successful.
“I sent him to the village to see if any travelers or townspeople might have heard anything about a possible attack. He was also going to meet with some men to discuss our defenses. It will be important to let the villagers know so that we can be as prepared as possible.”
“Good idea, but we will figure out who’s planning the attack and stop it before it gets to that point.” I gave him a reassuring smile across the table, quickly averting my eyes when his smile turned upward at the corner, his eyes staring flirtatiously.
I simply couldn’t allow myself to get any more attached to him than I already was. If someone had told me six months ago I would be doing everything I could to “friend zone” a man this good looking, I would have thought they were out of their mind, but that was exactly what I was dead set on doing until I made it back home. He was making it incredibly difficult.
Just as Mary exited the kitchen to set out supper, Arran burst through the back doors, dragging another man roughly along behind him.
“I found him trying to climb over the castle gate. I started to throw him in the dungeon before I came to get ye, but he swears he has news that we will both want to hear.” He released his grip on the man, who stood upright and brushed his arm where Arran had gripped him with his hand.
The man threw a very unpleased look in Arran’s direction. “Aye, sir. I come to ye seeking refuge in return for news.”
Eoin stood from his place at the stable, briefly holding a palm up in my direction as if asking me to stay seated. Naturally, it did nothing but encourage me to stand and join him in front of Arran and the stranger.
“Refuge from what? Are ye a criminal? Ye will no find refuge here, if that be the case.”
“Nay, sir. I was held a criminal, but the only crime I was guilty of was loving the laird’s daughter. He caught us tupping in her bedchamber and locked me away.”
“As right he should.”
“Ach, Eoin! Doona be so noble. If tupping were a crime, there’s not a lad over the age of fifteen who wouldna be locked away!” Arran chuckled slightly before stopping when he glanced at Eoin’s face.
“Aye, sir. I wanted to wed her, but he wouldna consent. I was too lowly for the old bastard.” The stranger reached up to grab his heart as if in pain.
“Ach, well yer crime may no have been so bad, but I’ve yet to hear the news that ye think is worthy of a place here for ye.”
“Aye, sir. Laird MacLyrron is staging an attack on ye.”
Both Arran and Eoin’s faces shifted into a look of shock, and I was sure mine was no different.
“I’ve never even met Laird MacLyrron. His territory is far to the south of here. Why would he attack us?” Eoin stared at the man suspiciously.
“He’s a foolish bastard. He wants to expand his land, and yers is one of the most beautiful parts of the country.”
“How can we know if ye tell us the truth?”
The stranger shook his head as he looked down at the floor. “Ye doona know. I canna give ye more than me word. Allow me to stay here, and perhaps with time ye will see that what I’ve told ye is true.”
