Page 27 of The Plight of a Scottish Lass
“The isle is close and small.”
Brian seemed bothered, his head shaking. “But why an island? Why not land close to us?”
Thane considered Brian’s questions, giving him confirmation on his thoughts about his brother. Just two years younger than Thane’s nine and ten, his thoughts never demonstrated any true understanding of his actions and the possible repercussions. His suggestions were often instantaneous, showing no real thought to the consequences of his plans.
“Brian, there is no land that has been inhabited close to us. You know this. Forests, rugged coastline. We need land where we can plant and harvest our food. We cannot subsist on meatand fish alone. We need grains and vegetables. A place to plant more fruit trees. When your number grows larger, you must have food to fill the bellies. I’d like sheep from the mainland for the wool. Highland cattle. Warhorses. A field to sow our beans and oats. We need so much more.”
“And lasses,” Brian said, avoiding Thane’s gaze on this one. “You know we need lasses, Thane. They are not all like Mama. I’d like to marry someday.”
Thane had heard this from many of his men. Perhaps it was time for him to reconsider. They’d never survive without bairns. It was a fact he could no longer deny. “I’ve been considering your thoughts, Brian. But give me more time to think on it. Beyond the lasses, Ulva is a better consideration because I believe they have been there long enough to live off the land. But this is something else we need to study before I decide.”
“You’ve considered it already, have you not, Chief?” Artan asked.
“I have, but I’m pleased to hear you believe it to be a wise consideration. I’ll agree to researching the possibility, but first we must discover how many guards he can mobilize and how many other large groups are on the isle. Are there fertile fields on the isle? That’s where I would start, Artan. Research, then we’ll gather the information and consider where to go from there.”
Mora did that little wiggle she did when a new idea popped into her head, the wiggle lasting for as long as she had to hold it inside. “What is it, Mora?”
She clapped her hands and stood. “While you are there, please check on Tamsin. I think you should marry her, Thane,” Mora said with a grin. “She’s beautiful. Do you not agree? Do you not think you should have an heir? Would you not like some bairns? I’d like to be an auntie.”
“Tamsin is married, Mora, or have you forgotten this?”
Brian chuckled. “Not if you rid the world of the evil bastard. Besides, he tried to kill her. That should serve as a reason for her not to be required to serve as his wife any longer.”
“I agree she is a beauty, but I’ll not be marrying Tamsin or anyone else. You know why, Mora.”
Brian’s face lit up. “Then you’ll not mind if I go after her? If you decide to save her, I’ll have her, brother. She is a fine beauty.”
Thane did something without even thinking on it. He shot up from his chair and gave his desk a shove toward his brother, not hitting him but coming close enough for Brian to jump out of his chair. “You cannot have her, Brian.”
No one said anything until Mora wrinkled her nose and whispered, “He likes her.” Then she nodded and waggled her brow.
Thane couldn’t deny her supposition. Damn it all to hell and back, but she was speaking a truth. He’d never admit it, especially because they both knew he held a certain belief, a certain rule in his life, that wouldn’t allow such a possibility.
Other than his sister, he hated women. Then how had he allowed this unlikely event, this mysterious but browbeaten woman, to crack his granite heart?
He was drawn to Tamsin. But he didn’t like it one bit.
Chapter Seventeen
Tamsin
Tamsin sat in her chamber, shivering because there was no firewood to burn. She wrapped a thin fur around her, but it didn’t help much.
The ride back from Mull had been uneventful, since her husband spent all his time talking with the guards about what a fine job they’d done retrieving her. They were all lies from her vantage point, but she’d not said a word. He had a way of twisting everything to make himself look like the most powerful man in the world.
The only event that involved her was when he turned and spit in her lap. Tamsin thought she would heave over the side of the ship. The man was vile.
But she would mind her manners because she knew he pushed her, looking for any excuse to beat her. He didn’t often beat her in front of others, preferring to do so in private, especially without a valid reason, and he was hoping she would give him that reason, but she refused. She anticipated his hand would be ready to strike her at any indiscretion she committed, so she sat still and acted as though nothing was wrong.
She would wait until they were alone to ask about Alana.
In fact, her mind was already planning the best way to go about learning the location of her daughter. There was one serving lass she trusted, so she thought to ask her where Alana was being held. Asking her husband would be a waste of her time and would probably provoke a litany of lectures and slaps. Raghnall would never reveal the truth unless he had a reason that would benefit himself.
In view of the situation at hand, she had to wait to see how to approach him.
But she vowed to find Alana. She had to know she was hale and safe.
She decided the best thing to do with her time was to make a plan, find a way to get away from Raghnall, uncover where her daughter was being kept, and then concoct a way to get her off the isle.
