Angel of Skye by May McGoldrick

Author:May McGoldrick
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: henry viii, trilogy, braveheart, jan coffey, Highlander, Romance, may mcgoldrick, Historical, tudors
ISBN: 9781442108783
Publisher: Topaz
Published: 1996-01-01T06:00:00+00:00

Chapter 12

In vice most vicious he excels

That with the vice of treason mells...

—William Dunbar “Epitaph for Donald Oure”

Malcolm was pleading with Fiona, to which she replied, “I’ve told you a hundred times. I would love to have you with me, but it is not time for you to leave Skye. And more importantly, it is not safe.” She looked at the unhappy lad, feeling in her own heart the same anguish she knew he was feeling.

It definitely would not be safe, Fiona thought. Word had come two days ago that their travel plans had changed. Instead of going by ship to Kildalton Castle, home of Alec’s friend Colin Campbell, the earl of Argyll, and then overland to Sterling, Alec had decided it would be best to go quickly overland to Benmore Castle. But this information had to be kept secret. There were dangers, and Alec felt they were not far off.

He had changed their plans because Walter’s grandson had returned with startling news. Adrian had indeed gone to Dunvegan Castle the day of the attack on Fiona. Arriving at the palisade-enclosed main stables outside the castle walls, he had spotted Iain walking toward the stables with Neil. Immediately recognizing Iain as the man who had attacked his grandfather, Adrian had secretly followed them, hiding himself in the loft and listening to their conversation. He had been surprised to hear smatterings of words about hurting Fiona and Malcolm, but from what he could hear, it was clear that Iain had acted on Neil’s orders in the attack on Father Jack. Then the boy had watched in horror as Neil cold-bloodedly murdered his accomplice when the warrior had turned his back.

Adrian had remained in hiding while men from the castle had bustled about below. He had listened while Neil lied to Ambrose Macpherson about everything that had occurred, and when Neil rode out shortly after, Adrian had crept out, determined to follow him and stop him from hurting his friends.

Neil had ridden north for a few miles, and then had turned east across the Isle of Skye. Adrian followed him, getting the help of a fisherman to ferry him after the MacLeod leader as he left Skye for the mainland. For four days Adrian followed Neil on foot into the Highlands. Finally he lost him in the land around Ben Nevis, where the Gregor clan lives. Adrian then worked his way back to the Isle of Skye, hungry and tired, but assured that Neil was nowhere close enough to hurt anyone.

Because of this information, Alec was now anxious to reach Benmore Castle as quickly and as quietly as possible. There were two reasons for his concern. One, word of Fiona’s survival had spread, and they would be more vulnerable going by boat on the open water. Two, Neil might be able to muster enough troops among the Gregors to try to take Dunvegan in Alec’s absence.

Alec had told Fiona and the prioress that a small force, traveling quickly and without advance notice, would have a better chance of reaching Benmore Castle without incident.

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