Page 26 of A Highlander’s Heart

Morgan hesitated, then said, “He is the leader we have, and I respect him for that. How I feel about his ability to lead doesn’t matter.”

Emma watched the exchange of the men. She knew why Daniel and Gregory were asking these questions. What she didn’t understand was why they hadn’t told Morgan yet about his uncle. She’d been under the impression that was the reason for this meeting.

Daniel nodded at Morgan and Emma. “Enjoy the rest of yer walk.”

The two men walked off, leaving her confused. And apparently from the look on Morgan’s face, he as well.

“Why all the questions?” Morgan asked, his gaze following the men as they walked away.

Obeying her orders, Emma shrugged.

Chapter Fourteen

Daniel and Gregory took seats in Daniel’s solar after their walk. “So what are yer thoughts, Laird?” Gregory asked. Before Daniel could answer, he continued, “I thought the reason for the meet up with Emma and Gunn was to tell him about his uncle.”

Daniel swung around in his chair and looked out the window. “The mon is no’ ready to lead with his injuries. No matter how liked or disliked he had been, Stephen Angus Gunn would have followers there who will no’ accept an injured mon as their laird.”

He swung back around and looked at Gregory. “After all this time, I am sure someone, or mayhap a group of someones would have taken over and named a mon as the new laird. Even without the king’s permission.”

Gregory shook his head. “What confuses me is why the Gunn would leave Clyth Castle in the hands of someone other than his Second-in-Command, especially since he kenned this was no’ a serious battle.”

He paused and thought for a moment. “So what do ye plan to do?”

“I cannot in good conscience leave the clan without a laird. I will send ye to Clyth Castle. I need to ken what the situation is there. By my calculations, it’s been a few weeks since they had a leader. Who is in charge? What state is the castle in?”

Gregory interjected. “What about Morgan Gunn?”

Daniel shook his head. “The mon is in no condition to take over the clan. Since we have the current unknowing laird of Gunn clan in our hands, ’tis a good time to seek an alliance with them.”

Gregory leaned forward. “What about just taking over the clan?”

“Nay. It might be an easy matter right now, but the Sutherlands, the Mackays, and the Sinclairs, all surrounding the Gunn clan, would no’ allow it, and I’m afraid a war might erupt over what is basically a small clan. ’Tis better if ye go; take about fifty men with ye.”

Gregory remained silent for almost a full minute, looking thoughtful, then shook his head. “I hate to disagree with ye, Laird, but I think we should tell Morgan the situation and let him decide if he wants to return home after he meets whatever conditions ye are going to set for his release.”

Daniel’s raised eyebrows had Gregory continuing. “Injuries or no’, I think the lad has more of a chance of his clan accepting him as their leader if he returns now. He appears to be mentally strong—if arrogant—so I think he could manage. I will still accompany him, along with our men, since we have no idea what we will find.”

“He will have to travel in a wagon, I’m sure, at the least.”

“’Tis up to Emma, but most likely, aye, he will.”

Daniel pinched his lips together and thought for a moment. “Ye have a good point, Gregory. Let’s work out the conditions we will demand for his release. Now that he is the laird, we can get things we could no’ have gotten before.”

Gregory nodded.

Daniel pulled out a piece of parchment and dipped his pen into the inkwell on his desk. “As we said, there is most likely someone, or mayhap a group, who will fight ye and Morgan on this and will want to take Morgan’s place, especially whoever has been in charge since the laird left.”

“Doona fash yerself Daniel. I will handle any problems that arise. We will leave as soon as Emma says he can travel.”

Daniel nodded and began writing.

*

Emma and Morgan returned from their walk around the garden. They’d been silent since Daniel and Gregory had left them. She was very confused by their conversation. She was sure Daniel had said they would tell Morgan about his uncle, and that was the reason for meeting them in the garden.

Why hadn’t Daniel told him? Her mind was in a whirl and frankly, she was concerned that the laird had decided to not tell Morgan about his uncle, for what reason she could not decide, although she had a few ideas and didn’t like any of them.

“What is wrong, Emma?” Morgan said as he waved her off when she tried to help him sit in a chair near his bed. “Ye have been distracted all though our walk.”