Page 43 of Highland Steel

“I dinna see why they have to leave,” complained Logan. “They are no trouble at all.”

“Mayhap no’ now, they’re no’,” said Caleb. “But as soon as Lady Rhoswen decides she wants our help goin’ up against the Drummonds, that is when the trouble will start.”

“Ye dinna ken she is goin’ to do that.”

“Oh nay?” asked Hawke. “She’s been askin’ everyone in camp this mornin’ which road to take to get to the Drummonds and how long it takes to get there.”

“She is?” Logan didn’t like the sound of this. He was hoping that Rhoswen would forget all about her foolish idea of trying to get her sister’s boy away from the Drummonds. With nothing to trade, and Rhoswen’s sister dead, he was pretty certain she’d never see the boy. “Well, I suppose she’s worried about her nephew, that’s all.”

“She’s goin’ to start a battle and get us all killed is what she’s goin’ to do,” said Caleb.

“Talk to her,” growled Hawke. “Convince her to leave here with her siblin’s and go back to England where they belong. Tell her we’ll even escort them back to the border personally.”

“That’s no’ goin’ to be an easy thing to do,” said Logan.

“Why no’?” asked Ethan. “Because ye’re in love with the lass after beddin’ her last night? Everyone in camp heard ye two gruntin’ and screamin’ like a pair of beasties durin’ matin’ season.”

“They did?” Logan made a face. “I suppose we were a little . . . loud.”

“I’ll say so,” said Caleb. “Ye scared Slink. He hid under the pallet and wouldna come out until it got light.”

“Did yer faither hear it, too?” Logan asked Hawke, worried for what people would think about Rhoswen, although he had no care what people thought about him.

“I dinna ken and I dinna want to ask him,” said Hawke. “Now do us all a favor, Logan, and tell them they have to leave.”

“I’ve got a few days yet, per my agreement with Storm.” Logan got off the chair so quickly that it toppled over, banging against the wooden floor, scaring Slink. The pine marten shot out the open door.

“God’s eyes, Logan, ye scared my pet again. I’d better go find Slink before yer bluidy wolf eats him.” Caleb rushed out the door.

“I’ll try to keep my faither occupied, but ye really need to do somethin’ about this, Logan before it gets out of hand. The chronicler already recorded Rhoswen’s story in the king’s book. Any more tales like that and King Robert is goin’ to rip out the pages of guid things written about us.”

“I dinna care what the chronicler does and I certainly dinna care about that blamed book,” said Logan with a wave of his hand through the air. “Now, all of ye just leave me alone.”

“Whatever ye say,” answered Hawke, leaving the building.

Logan looked down at Ethan who was sitting there with his feet up on the table. “Ye dinna think she should really leave, do ye, Ethan?” asked Logan.

“I’m no’ the clan’s chieftain, so it doesna matter what I think,” said Ethan, sliding his feet off the table and standing up. “But if ye want my advice, as a friend, I’d say ye better find out another way to remedy this situation and do it quickly. Because after what I heard last night, and by the way ye two look at each other, I dinna think it’s goin’ to be easy for ye to send her away.”

“Ye’re tellin’ me,” mumbled Logan, as Ethan headed out the door.

* * *

Humming to herself, Rhoswen got dressed, having slept soundly after her wonderful night with Logan.

“You sound happy,” said Blaine, pulling the blankets tight over the pallet, fixing the bed she’d slept in. Since there weren’t any MacKeefes with illnesses or any other travelers right now, Rhoswen and her siblings were the only ones staying in the hospice.

“I feel happy,” Rhoswen said cheerfully. “Where is Newell?” She had noticed he was already gone when she awoke. She figured mayhap she’d slept later than she thought.

“Newell and Oliver are out practicing their swordplay,” said Blaine. “It seems they are best friends now.” The girl looked sad and Rhoswen didn’t understand why.

“I think it’s good that Newell has a friend that is nearly his age,” said Rhoswen. Oliver was only two years younger than her brother, but since Newell was a big boy, he towered over his friend.

“I suppose so.” Blaine looked like she was going to cry again, and Rhoswen didn’t know how to make the girl happy anymore. Ever since the death of their mother and sister, Blaine had been so affected by it that her personality had changed. Blaine had always been shy and not outgoing at all, but at least she used to be happy.

“Blaine, come here,” said Rhoswen, pulling her younger sister into her arms in a big hug. “I know you’re sad. We all are. But we’ll pull through this. We always do.”

“I feel so alone,” Blaine admitted. “That’s what makes me scared. I’m afraid I’m going to lose you and Newell, too.”