Kenzie reached up, touched the edge of a finely braided strip of leather around her neck. “Father Lamond is important to you, is he not?”
Pleased by her uncertainty, he added several more sticks to the flames. Sparks popped, curled up within the thin wisps of smoke. “He is a man I wishto speak with.”
Hope brightened in her eyes. “If I tell you where he is, will you help me save my stepbrother?”
Cailin slanted her a cool look. The lass was like a dog with a bone. “Nay, for the reason I have already explained.”
Her fingers tightened on the braided leather. “I must know if Blar is alive. Can you not at least agree to discovering that?”
The last thing he wanted was to concede to any condition, but Father Lamond was a crucial contact who would help him claim his legacy. Bloody hell. By now he’d intended to have found Sir Angus McReynolds, who would have led him to the priest. The events of the past few days had waylaid his plans. Also an issue she’d shrewdly pointed out, with his uncle warned he was in Dalkirk, Cailin didn’t have the luxury to travel unheeded.
With the detour this night, travel back to Sir Angus McReynolds’s home would take a day; given the possibility they might need to hide from guards in search of them, more. Time and risk he could avoid if she indeed knew Father Lamond’s location.
“If the situation presents itself where we can learn of your stepbrother’s fate,” Cailin said, “Iwill find out.”
“And if Blar still lives?”
“A decision I will make if the circumstance arises.”
In the shimmer of flames, green eyes darkened with frustration. “’Tis little to offer me after I dare expose the location of the priest, whom I know the earl has banished, a man of the cloth who risks his life by remaining nearby.” She started to shove to her feet.
Cailin caught her wrist; awareness surged through him. Irritated, he shoved the unwanted draw aside. “Sit. We have much to discuss.”
Her eyes narrowedwith defiance.
The stubborn lass. “If we learn your stepbrother is alive and his life is at risk, I will try to save him. But if I discover you have lied to me, regardless in how trivial a way, I will abandon youto your fate.”
The tension in her body eased. “I thank you and swear you willna regret trusting me.”
Though she seemed sincere, he was far from convinced. After her mistruths since they met, he’d be a fool to believe herwithout proof.
Cailin released her hand. “Where isFather Lamond?”
She tugged the blanket tighter around her, edged closer to the fire. “He lives in a small crofter’s hut on the edge ofDalkirk land.”
Cailin was stunned his uncle would allow the priest’s presence after he’d stolen Cailin’s father’s sword, an act he knew from his discussion with the king that had led to the earl banishing the cleric. Only fear of the church’s power had forced the earl to spare thepriest’s life.
“The earl consents tohis presence?”
She shook her head. “Lord Dalkirk doesna know he is here. Father Lamond changed his appearance, and the earl believes he is Finnean Howe, an ailing man with a malady that is highly contagious.”
“Which explains why he is left alone.”
“Indeed. He keeps to himself, except for those who covertly visit. When outside, he wears a hooded cloak to shield his face.”
Brilliant, and the reason why the priest had seemed to disappear. Even King Robert was unsure of his whereabouts, hence the instructions for Cailin to find Sir Angus McReynolds.
Though this far from explained one critical matter. “Why do you know where thepriest lives?”
“’Twas by accident I learned,” she admitted. “One night last summer, when I couldna sleep. As 'twas a full moon, I went outside for a walk. When returning, I heard a soft whinny from outside the stable. Worried that intruders may be about, I crept close. In the moonlight, I saw my stepfather saddling one of our horses. After he rode off, I followed him on oneof our mares.”
“Henever saw you?”
A blush swept her cheeks and she shook her head. “Not until after I had arrived at the priest’s home. Though upset, my stepfather grudgingly introduced us. It is incredible, but when I met Father Lamond, ’twas as if I had known him my whole life. ’Tis why, after, my stepfather allowed me to join him on his visits to the cleric. But that first night, after my stepfather and I departed, he made me swear never to disclosethat we’d met.”
“Yet you told me?”
“Because you are the true heir to Dalkirk.” She paused. “I have sworn my fealty to you, and though you dinna know me, once my word is given, ’tis notdone lightly.”
