Highland Treasure by Amanda Scott

Author:Amanda Scott
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Highland
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Fifteen

UPON HIS ARRIVAL, DUNCAN ordered breakfast for himself in his book room, and a like meal for his men to be served in the hall. Learning that Stalker’s captain had led the soldiers himself, he told Bannatyne to rouse the man from his bed. When his henchman hesitated, diffidently reminding him that Patrick Campbell had been up most of the night, Duncan said, “He can sleep when I do. Fetch him.”

His food arrived before Patrick did, but he had eaten less than half of it when the other man entered without ceremony. He had clearly come from his bed, for his light brown hair was tousled and his hazel eyes red-rimmed and bleary. He had not had himself shaved, and he rubbed his bristly jaw as he glowered at Duncan.

“Have some ale,” Duncan said, “and felicitate me on my marriage.”

“I’d rather have coffee if you’ve got any. As to felicitations … you?”

“Aye.” Duncan gestured to Bannatyne to fetch coffee. “Sit down, Patrick, and take that foolish smirk off your face. I’ll tell you all about it if you insist, but first, tell me what you know about the damned raid. Your lads tell me they cannot be certain the raiders were MacCrichton’s men.”

“We don’t know anything for certain,” Patrick said, pulling a stool up to the table and breaking a chunk of bread from the loaf as he sat down. “I heard of your visit to Shian a few weeks ago. I hope you haven’t stirred up a hornets’ nest. We’ve enjoyed peace in these parts for more than a year. I’d hate to see it end.”

Duncan shrugged. “It seems to have ended already. What makes you think it could have been anyone but MacCrichton?”

“I don’t say it’s likely to have been anyone else, but we’ve seen no sign of trouble at Shian. It’s one place we keep an eye on, after all, and we will until he’s paid the fine demanded as part of his pardon. We know Allan Breck is in the area, however, and it’s odd that he’s still here, because he usually returns to France before the snow comes. Perhaps he’s been brewing mischief, but he’d have to be mad to tweak your tail.”

“He would,” Duncan agreed, not bothering to hide his antipathy. “Breck couldn’t organize a raid like this alone, though, and I don’t know many who would help him. He made more enemies than friends when he murdered my brother.”

“MacCrichton may have linked up with him, though I can’t think why he would,” Patrick said, nodding thanks to Bannatyne when the man put a cup of coffee in front of him. “He’s got reason to stay clear of a felon like Breck if he wants to keep his peace with the government.”

“They may both think they have a common enemy, however,” Duncan said. While they ate, he told Patrick about Mary, and then the two men retired to sleep for a few hours. When they awoke, the snow was still falling heavily. During the

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