Page 64 of Wild Highland Rose
Allen fingered his claymore. "We must avenge his death."
"Aye. He's left behind a wife and three small bairns." The sentiment seemed out of place coming from Dougall's mouth. He wasn't exactly the sensitive type. Still, Cameron reminded himself, these people were real, not creations of someone's skewed view of the past. They had hopes and fears, love and loyalty…
"We'll get our revenge." Torcall's voice was harsh. "Get the men ready."
Dougall mounted and rode back toward the gathering. Torcall turned to Cameron. "This is Eamon Macleary's doing. He's taking advantage of my absence. I must leave at once, before he takes it into his head to try and take the tower."
"Father, you know as well as I that there is no way that Macleary could manage to take Tyndrum." Allen spoke forcefully, his anger apparent.
"True enough, but they could do a lot of damage before Eamon accepts that fact. I need to stop him, and there's no way to do that from here."
"So you're riding back to Tyndrum?" Cameron asked. He had no idea who Eamon Macleary was, but at the moment he was willing to kiss the man if it meant Torcall was leaving.
Torcall paused before answering, searching Cameron's face. "Aye, as soon as all is readied." He turned to Allen. "Go help Dougall. I need to talk with yer brother."
Allen opened his mouth to protest, but Torcall cut him off with a single word. "Go."
Shooting a sullen look at Cameron, Allen lept up into the saddle, and turned his horse to follow Dougall.
Cameron turned to face the man who thought he was his father. The older man looked concerned and perhaps a little sad, his eyes crinkled with age, and sorrow. So much had been lost. It was a brutal age. One that Cameron couldn't even pretend to understand. And in that light, he wasn't about to judge either.
Torcall placed a hand on Cameron's shoulder. "I dinna think ye should try and go with us."
Cameron started to speak, but Torcall cut him off.
"Nay, I know that ye want to ride with me, but ye've only just escaped dying…twice, and I'll no' risk yer health. I've handled the likes o' Macleary afore and I can do it again."
Cameron nodded, completely at a loss for words. He felt relief that he didn't have to try and explain his way out of going to Tyndrum, but he also felt a vague sense of discomfort.
"You be careful and watch yer back. I dinna trust these people." Torcall's stern gaze met Cameron's. "There something afoot here. First yeraccidenton the mountain…" Cameron opened his mouth in rebuttal, but Torcall shook his head silencing him. "I know ye dinna believe it. But yer no' thinking straight. Besides, there's also the question o' the wee boat. I've no idea what ye were doing in the thing. But I dinna believe it went down on its own."
"But Marjory was with me."
"'Twas no' expected ye said. Think on it, Ewen. Who knew ye were going out?"
Fingal and Aimil were the only ones he'd talked to but he'd made no secret of going. "Anyone could have seen me, Father." He was surprised at how naturally the name came to him.
"Aye, 'tis true. And were it no' for Macleary, I wouldna leave ye here on yer own. As it is, I'll leave some protection, but I canna leave too many. Still, ye can get word to me if need be. And make no mistake, I'll come back in a heartbeat. I'll no' lose ye again, son. Especially no' to the Macphersons."
Cameron nodded, not knowing what to say. Torcall was a brutal man, but he couldn't reconcile that fact with the man's obvious devotion to his son.
"Remember, Ewen," Torcall continued. "Marjory Macpherson is only a means to an end. Never forget that. If ye start to have tender thoughts toward her, think of what happened to yer mother. That should make it clear what side yer on." Pain washed across his face and then just as quickly was gone. "I'll leave Aida with you. She'll help ye ken what a real woman is like."
"Thanks." Aida was the last thing he needed right now, but the gesture seemed to call for some sort of gratitude.
"Ewen." Torcall looked distinctly uncomfortable. "I love ye, lad." He stepped forward enveloping Cameron in his embrace. They stood like that for a moment and then he released him and turned to go.
Cameron watched him ride away, strangely saddened by the fact that if Cameron had his way, the man would never see his son again. Even without his memory, Cameron was certain that his own father had never felt as strongly about him. Whatever his other shortcomings, Torcall Cameron loved his son.
"Well,that's it then. They're gone." Cameron watched as the riders moved off across the valley.
"For now." Marjory held a hand over her eyes, blocking the sun.
Cameron pulled his gaze from the departing men and looked down at Marjory. "Well, hopefully, by the time they come back, you'll have some help. When will you send for your Grandfather?"
"He's no' due back at Moy for a se'nnight." She kept her eyes on the party of riders. "So he canna come until after you're gone."
He felt his stomach lurch. Put into words, his departure sounded so final. Placing his hands on her shoulders, he turned her toward him. "Promise that you won't wait to contact him."
