Page 3 of Enchanted

“A desperate attempt by Rowena to make me feel contrite for not falling into the plans your wives have for my future,” Keiran said as he slid onto the bench.

“You are safe with us,” Orrick said, his voice filled with affection as he clapped Keiran on the shoulder.

Alastair, his eldest brother and laird of their clan, poured then passed Keiran a mug of ale. He accepted it gratefully as he glanced at the men beside him. Next to his brothers sat Marcus, Rowena’s husband, and Graeme, Aria’s husband. Their faces were still unfamiliar, but their welcoming smiles were not. These men had been nothing but kind to Keiran since his arrival. They had walked him through every part of the estate, had battled with him in the lists—not going easy on him—for which he was thankful. That he had to work to succeed helped him feel a sense of accomplishment.

“Are you finding your way around the estate well enough?” Tormod asked.

Keiran sipped his ale then nodded. “Aye. I spend most of my days wandering around, since I have little else to do. Today I found a place on the northern side of the castle where the three of you—Alastair, Tormod, and Orrick—carved your initials into the stone.”

“I had forgotten about that.” Alastair laughed as supper was served.

Mrs Honey’s dinner was a simple affair. A fine stew of beef and vegetables braised in ale, with thick slices of yeasty bread, and more ale to wash it all down. When they had all finished, they returned their attention to Keiran.

“Are you feeling more at home?” Alastair asked.

Keiran raised his gaze to Alastair from the map that he had studied all through the meal. “I would feel more at ease if I had something to do besides surveying the estate. There must be some way I can contribute?”

“There is,” Alastair said, glancing once more at the map. “You have proven yourself to be intelligent and resourceful since you arrived here. It is time for us to start including you in the MacLeod family affairs. I would like you to become my estate manager.”

“Truly?” Keiran replied, his excitement growing.

“Aye. I shall go over each estate with you tomorrow and all the tasks managing them entails.”

“Whatever I can do to help.” Keiran smiled. Had his family finally accepted him for who he was? He had a history with the fairies, but the MacLeods did as well. For they all possessed a hint of fairy blood since the time four hundred years ago when Laird Iain Cair MacLeod married a fairy princess. Their child had passed down that trait to all the MacLeods since.

“I am glad you are willing to assist us because we need your help in an urgent matter. The threat of an English invasion grows daily,” Tormod explained, drawing Keiran’s attention back to the moment. “There are reports of the British army stationed here and here.” Tormod pointed to two areas on the map well away from where Keiran presumed Dunvegan to be, based on the shape of the familiar coastline. “The English are sending more troops all the time, growing ever closer to the Isle of Skye. The clans are growing anxious.”

Keiran frowned. “I understand that an English presence here in Scotland is not a welcome thing, but how can I help with that?”

“We want you to go with us tomorrow morning to retrieve the latest troop movement report from Clan Nicolson,” Tormod said grimly. “The only way to keep the clans safe is to know where the English are positioning themselves. We have heard rumours of an impending attack on Scottish clans who are supporters of Charles Stuart returning to the throne of Scotland.”

“I am overjoyed at being included in your plans, but do not all of you need to see Marcus and Rowena off on their journey tomorrow?” Keiran asked.

All gazes shifted to Marcus. The dark-haired man’s features were pensive. “Rowena would be upset if her brothers were not there to bid her farewell, though I am also certain she would understand.”

“If this mission is to be a stealthy one, then perhaps it is best if one man goes instead of a whole contingent. It would be far less conspicuous, and easier to manoeuvre within the cover of the landscape.” Keiran pressed his lips together as he concentrated on the map. “Where is this meeting to take place?”

“Near Struan, along the west coast,” Tormod replied with a tilt of his head.

“Where is Struan on the map?” Keiran asked.

“Are you ready for such a mission?” Tormod asked as he pointed to a location along the western coastline.

“Nay, ’tis too dangerous for you to go alone.” Orrick’s brows came tighter as he regarded Keiran. “Besides, you are still unfamiliar with the human realm.”

Keiran flipped the map to hide it. “The west coast is approximately an hour’s ride on horseback from Dunvegan, continuing south on to Struan would take perhaps another hour. There are multiple woodlands, and plenty of hills where I can stay hidden and assess the situation as I proceed on my way.”

Alastair arched a brow. “How did you know all that?”

“I was always the scout sent out to assess conflicts between fairies in different regions of Fairyland. I learned how to read the landscape, judge distances, determine threats, and advised Oberon what actions to take.”

That his brothers stared at him wide-eyed brought a flare of warmth to Keiran’s chest. “Had you assumed I did nothing in Fairyland over the past nine years?”

Alastair recovered first and cast Keiran a contrite grin. “Forgive us. We are all still trying to reconcile that our baby brother is as old as we are and very skilled in certain things.”

“Are you certain you are up for this task?” Orrick asked.

“Aye.” Keiran straightened. “It seems simple enough.”