Page 54 of A Highlander’s Heart

She laid her hand on his chest. “Stop, Morgan. Ye have to listen to me. Men at the inn were discussing Patrick and a clan called Oliphant. I couldn’t hear everything they said but I caught enough words that I’m afraid they are planning an attack.”

Morgan frowned. He’d had his spies watching Patrick and the information he had was that a rebellion was imminent, but he had no idea Patrick had managed to engage another clan.

“Oliphant? Are ye sure?”

“Aye. From what I could hear it sounded like the plans are to kill ye, then Patrick would be laird and would join with the Oliphant clan.” She frowned. “I doona ken too much about them.”

Morgan turned and started a slow trot toward the castle, Emma’s horse following behind them. “Aye, they are a small clan. Part of their land borders our northwest and the rest is almost in the middle of Sinclair land. Why they would think that the Sinclairs next to them would allow Gunn to take over Oliphant is no’ a well thought out plan.”

They rode for a few minutes and Morgan said, “The only thing the Oliphants have for themselves is that they border the sea, which gives them a livelihood selling fish.”

“Why would Patrick want that land, then? For the sea?”

“Nay. Patrick is no’ that smart. I’m thinking he plans to use the men from the Oliphants to help him overthrow me and then will place his own man at the head of the Oliphants.”

He stopped the horse and looked at Emma, taking her hands in his. “There is something I need to say before we go any farther.” He ran his fingers through his hair, not ever having to expose himself so much. But it was time.

Chapter Thirty-Two

“But we must hurry—”

“Nay.” He took a deep breath. “I love ye, Emma. That’s why I wanted ye to come with me from Castle Leod. If Daniel had no’ insisted on us marrying, I would have married ye anyway.”

He was very uncomfortable at the skeptical look on her face. “I ken I have no’ been helpful in adjusting you to our home. Ye need to ken that I will relieve Maisie from her duties. She was chatelaine under my uncle, and also his leannản, so she assumed that made her invincible.”

He shook his head. “Not so. I will ban her from the clan. After frantically searching for ye when ye were missing, I spoke with Mary and a few of the maids and, I have reason to believe she was behind all the rumors about ye that made yer life so miserable.”

“Do ye think her actions are linked to Patrick’s plans?”

Morgan smiled and cupped her face with his hands and kissed her. “Ye are so clever, lass.”

She pulled back and huffed. “No’ clever enough to figure out how to make the clan accept me.”

Morgan looked toward the castle. “That would fit perfectly with Patrick’s plans because based on the rumors of ye being a spy they would no’ fight for ye. Believe me, lass. They will accept ye. If ye have any more troubles they can follow Maisie over the drawbridge.”

He kissed her on the nose. “Now we have some other things to take care of. I am the rightful laird of the Gunn clan, I have Mackenzie at my back and the Munros—Lady Mackenzie’s kin—to help as well. I doona think whoever Patrick was able to gather from my men will be many, and Oliphant I could take down myself.”

“I love ye, husband,” she said.

*

Morgan and Emma took their time returning to Clyth Castle with Morgan insisting they stop in a small, abandoned hut that he was familiar with on the way. Despite her objections about what she’d heard at the village inn, they spent a few hours renewing their intimacy and strengthening their connection.

As soon as he’d arrived home, Morgan gathered his men and told them they were about to be attacked. With Emma sitting alongside him in the great hall, he said, “Patrick Gunn has aligned himself with the Oliphant clan. All of ye here have sworn yer fealty to me. If ye wish to change yer mind, now is the time.

“Ye will no’ be executed. Instead, ye will gather yer things and ride out. No matter what happens, ye are no’ to return as long as I draw breath.”

Not one man moved. Morgan nodded and left word with the warriors on the ramparts to notify him when the soldiers approached the castle.

First light had barely arrived when warriors on the ramparts shouted at the sight of men bearing down on the castle, carrying the Oliphant clan banner. Word was passed to Morgan about their arrival.

He grinned as he leaned on the ramparts alongside one of the warriors and watched the group arrive. Looking smug, Patrick rode side by side with the Oliphant clan chieftain, Robert Murray.

Morgan shook his head and spoke to the warrior beside him. “This is going to be so easy I almost feel sorry for them.”

“Morgan Gunn, show yerself,” Patrick shouted.

“For what purpose?” he shouted back.