Fianna Leighton - Tales of Clan Mackay by Return to the Highlands

Author:Return to the Highlands
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Romance
Published: 2014-05-14T04:00:00+00:00

***

Hugh paced the small confines of the milking shed, his gaze moving at times to the window that looked down the steep descent from Varrich to the woods below. Beyond the forest lay the sliver of water of the kyle, and beyond, in his mind’s eye, the hamlet of Tongue and the Sutherland peaks to the east. He moved to the door and stood looking out, hands braced on the solid frame beside him. Varrich was quiet today. Nicholas had gone up to the hills followed discreetly by Donald after Bastian had returned in a fit of worry over Macleod.

Sebastian would not say just how he’d learned that Macleod was prowling, but intuition and familiarity with the workings of clan feuds had sent his father after Nicholas to warn him.

Not that it would do any good, Hugh thought morosely. Nicholas would more than likely rely on his skill as a warrior to sense any danger. But Macleod was elusive, bent on serious revenge.

Hugh could not fault his ire, for any man losing a son would mourn the loss. Nicholas, however, was innocent of the deed if by all accounts things had happened as he’d said. Proving that to Macleod was a challenge none had felt worth taking. Of course, it hadn’t mattered when Nicholas was gone, but now that he was back, things had begun to heat up.

This was the reason Hugh decided his hackles were up. He’d begun the usual chores after Donald had left but had stopped time and again to look south to the heights of Ben Loyal.

He didn’t like being left behind, but someone had to mind the house. Bastian had gathered Rory and the two had set out after Donald. Hugh had put men on the high parapets above the keep. They would note any movement coming from the hills.

Ann appeared at the door of the keep, a large basket on her hip. Hugh left the shed to hurry to her side, reaching up to aid her steps as she descended the stair. “Ye are feeling well?” Hugh asked, noting his mother’s pale color, her eyes too bright.

“Aye, I am well enough,” Ann insisted with a soft smile for Hugh. She pressed her fingers against his cheek. “Have ye had any sight of them at all?”

Hugh shook his head.

“Branwen has left,” Ann said. “She should not be about alone.”

Hugh frowned at his mother. “She cannot sit still. I would as soon have her release her ire on her horse than with me.”

Ann tucked her hand beneath his arm. “Ye have been a true husband for all these years, Hugh.”

“Aye,” Hugh agreed. He had stayed true to Branwen even when she despised him. He had made a vow he intended to keep; no matter the woman was not what he thought. But he kept those thoughts to himself and smiled at Ann.

She was not fooled. He could see it in her eyes. “Ye’ll meet a lass one day, Hugh that will make yer eyes sparkle again.”

“I’ve a lass already, Mother.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.