Page 29 of The Plight of a Scottish Lass
“Aye, aye, and we’ll see about the archery. Mora, do not expect too much. I will probably visit with the men more than the women on this trip.”
“But surely the mistress will allow me to visit inside the great hall. I would love to see how they have decorated it. Do they have tapestries? Or plaids? Or do they use flora and pines to decorate? What do they cook the most? How many cooks do they have? I have so many questions.”
Thane nearly rolled his eyes at his sister’s curiosity, but he was used to it by now. It was part of who she was, and he accepted it. “I promise to introduce you to Eli, and you may ask her whatever you wish, but will you promise to ask her only one question at a time?”
“I promise.” Mora scowled before she gave him the most honest answer she could. “I’ll try my best.”
“That’s all I can ask.” He treasured her honesty, something he could always count on. Those small treasures were few and far between.
They noticed the change in the air, the proximity to the sea always the first sign of the nearby coastline. In the distance, the castle sat high near Duart Point. It was an imposing structure, quite solid with a thick curtain wall to protect it from not just invaders but also the elements. Thane had as many questions as Mora.
Along the way, he thought again about Artan’s ideas surrounding Ulva and Raghnall Garvie. Their next visit would be to the isle. There was a narrow area where one could use a small boat to traverse the loch. Many crossed at that point, and he thought there might be a boat for hire to take beyond, a vessel that would carry more people. He thought to check into that.
He could take their ship or a small boat, but since he didn’t trust Garvie and his men, he had a fear that the ship would be missing when they returned. The man was a thief through and through. Thief and a liar, if Thane were to wager.
When they approached the castle, he made his way to the gates, surprised to see a group of villagers waiting outside for admittance.
Brian glanced over at him. “What do we do?”
Thane approached, making his way through the villagers, taking the reins of Mora’s horse and leading her straight to the gatehouse. “Thane MacQuarie to see Eli and Alaric Grant, if you please.”
“Just one moment,” the guard said, leaving and returning quickly. “You may enter. My lady Elisant will meet you on the steps to the keep.”
“Many thanks to you,” he said, waving to his guards and the others to follow him in once the gate opened.
Inside, a tall, bearded man stood and directed them to the stables, taking Mora’s horse first. “The name is Maitland Menzie. We’re hiring some local villagers. Looking for another ten guards to train and two women to work inside. I recognize your name, so I’m assuming you are not looking for work. You brought the injured lass to Eli?”
“Aye, I came for a short visit to see how Tamsin fared and, if I may, to chat with you about your horses.”
A lad came out for the horses along with another man who looked to be a villager. “We’ll take care of the animals, my lord.”
Thane helped Mora down, then said, “Many thanks. Our guards will brush our horses down. If you have any oats for them, we’d be appreciative.”
Once the horses were taken to the stables, two females approached. Thane nodded a greeting. “Lady Grant, or should I be addressing you as Lady Grantham?” Then he turned to the other woman and said, “Greetings to you, Lady Chieftain.” He wasn’t quite sure how to address a female chieftain, so he hoped he was close.
Eli laughed and said, “I have not decided yet. Grant for now. That may change, though. This is Dyna, Alaric’s cousin. As you already know, she and Maitland are chieftains of Clan Grantham.”
“I’m pleased to meet you, Chief,” he said to Maitland. “This is my sister, Mora, and my brother, Brian. We brought a few guards, but they will handle the horses. This is a neighborly visit. Mora would love to see the great hall, if you don’t mind. She has some questions.”
Mora’s face was full of excitement, her look of awe at Dyna Grant saying it all. “You are truly a laird? A female chieftain? How did that happen? And do you like it? What is your favorite task …”
“Mora,” he said, taking her hand in his. She stopped speaking, then blushed.
“Forgive me, my lady. I am excited to meet you.”
“Your purpose for the visit, MacQuarie?” Maitland asked.
“I’d like to see about purchasing stud service from your warhorse, among other things. And I thought I would pass on to you that Tamsin made it to my castle just before her husband came to retrieve her. Said he was told she would be at my castle.”
“And she went with him?” The look of shock on Eli’s face was close to how Thane had felt the day Tamsin walked of her own volition onto her husband’s ship.
“She did. She missed their daughter.”
Maitland said, “Come inside for a light repast and we’ll chat. I think Mora will enjoy talking with Astra, Dyna’s sister, who is close to your age. She’s five and ten.”
“I am five and ten. I would love to meet her,” Mora said, her eyes misting.
That sight alone actually sat in Thane’s belly like someone had thrown a fist at him. He needed to find her friends. And he also wished to see her train in archery.
