Page 44 of The Plight of a Scottish Lass
“But on the beach may not be a place to die. He is punishing her? Scaring her, possibly?” Maitland asked.
“Nay, he meant to kill her. Everyone knows it,” Magni mumbled on a mouthful.
“Everyone?” Maitland’s gaze narrowed as he waited for Magni to reply.
Magni chewed what was already in his mouth, then answered. “He told his guards he wished to kill his wife. He wanted a new one to give him a son, and the only way to do it was to have the first one die.”
Maitland tipped his head, then glanced over at Alaric as if an agreement was forged between the two with just a look.
“The church does not allow a man to have two wives. That’s what all the villagers said, but they all believe that Raghnall lives by his own rules. That he is not governed by God.” Magni took another bite and sighed. “You have a fine cook.”
“We do. Murreal is the wife of one of our guards. She’ll be teaching others her ways.”
“I’ll learn!” Magni shouted.
Thane said, “We’ll wait and see where you belong, Magni. Your sister needs you for now.”
“Och, but this is true. Are you going to take Tamsin back?”
“That depends on Tamsin,” Thane said. “She chose to return before. Her husband has their daughter, and she’ll not leave her there alone. As long as their daughter remains on Ulva, I think she’ll return.”
“I know where Alana is. I can show you.”
Maitland glanced from Alaric to Thane. “Are you sure?”
“Aye. They keep her where they kept Lia. They let me run about, gave me chores, but Lia stayed with the woman in the back building, and she’s mean. She keeps the wee ones. She lives in a cottage toward the western end of the isle.”
Thane thought about this revelation, wondering if he could find Alana and bring her back to Tamsin.
Alaric said, “I know what you are thinking, but I have questions for you before we make a plan.”
Thane arched a brow at Alaric, wondering if his questions would be too personal. He wouldn’t give away much, but he nodded his agreement. Asking didn’t mean he would answer.
“What are your feelings for Tamsin? Would you accept her?” Alaric leaned back and crossed his arms while he waited.
“Accept her?”
“Are you interested in taking her for your wife?” Maitland clarified. “I think Alaric is wondering where Tamsin should live if we kill Garvie. Which is exactly what we plan to do.”
“Plan? What?” So confused, he didn’t know how to answer anything yet.
“Have you considered the possibility of taking Tamsin as your wife? You seem drawn to her more than as her rescuer. If I’m wrong, just say so.” Maitland got up and strode over to the hearth, brushing the crumbs from his hands into the fire. He chuckled and said, “Maeve says it’s a better place for the crumbs than in my beard.”
“You’re wrong, Chief. I’m not interested in taking a wife.” Hell, the thought hadn’t even crossed his mind, but Thane wasn’t about to tell them the truth. He’d never take a wife.
Never. He did not trust women and all they represented. Being the only one who raises bairns, they can do what they wish with the innocent. Treat them harshly, starve them. No one pays the mothers any mind.
The only female he loved or trusted was his sister. Though he had to admit, he must trust Eli and Dyna, or he would never have left Mora with them.
Maitland sat in the large chair again, leaned forward, placed his elbows on his knees. “My apologies. Look, MacQuarie, weknow there are problems on the isle. We were warned that you have thieves and other concerns. Our job is to take care of the issues and settle the island. King Robert will not allow the MacDougalls to return here, so we must prove that we will be staying. Whoever else is causing problems will be dealt with fairly in Scotland’s name. We hope to unite the island, not cause trouble.”
Alaric added, “And right now, we see Garvie and his mother as problems. We’ll eliminate both if necessary. We’ll start with Raghnall, but if we must, we’ll go after his mother. Just because she’s female does not mean she is incapable of these deeds. In our experience, women can be as evil as any man. We’ll investigate the chieftain and mother. And especially take a hard look at their activities.”
Thane couldn’t argue with them, but it changed one part of his plan. He probably wouldn’t be taking over Ulva if they were involved. Are they hoping to run the isle themselves?
Or are they planning to overtake all of the Isle of Mull?
He’d be bold and ask his questions because they were paramount to his situation and his future plans. “You do know that Ulva is run by Garvie and his mother? He’s driven the others out. I was told by a merchant that they come once a sennight to sell their wares, and that is it. Garvie has driven all the others off the isle. Only the ones who work directly for him remain.”
