Thank God. He sheathed his weapon, then shovedhis hood aside.
After securing her blade, Elspet pushed down her hood as well.
The fierce man’s eyes shifted to her, widened in surprised, then warmed. “Elspet McReynolds!” Taog boomed, and he sheathed his sword.
“Aye.” She jumped down and ran into the huge man’s arms.
Irritation slammed Cailin as the burly man enveloped her in a ferocious hug. Nor did he miss the soft rumble of words as the man spoke to her, or the sheer happiness on her face as she gazed up at him.
Elspet had explained that she’d visited the Romani leader’s camp many times with her stepfather. Though with how she’d run to him, he was clearly more than her stepfather’s trusted friend, but hers.
As if Cailin gave a bloody damn. She could befriend whoever she liked. That she had someone whom she obviously cared for, a feeling ’twould seem the Romani shared, mattered little. Soon the day would come when hewas rid of her.
Nor could Cailin overlook the fact that the leader couldn’t offer a woman a safe haven, a place where she could raise children and make a home. Life as an outlaw was one on the move, proven by the makeshift tents that were nearly impossible to see beneath the shield of trees.
But that logic far from eased his discontent at how the man folded her within his embrace as if ’twas a common occurrence.
Jaw tight, Cailin dismounted, strode over.
At his approach, with one final hug to the Romani, Elspet stepped back. “Taog, I would like to introduce you to Sir Cailin MacHugh, the rightful Earl of Dalkirk.”
Dark eyes narrowed on him. “We were told you died years ago, at sea.”
Cailin straightened to his full height. “A lie. One of many told by my uncle in his treacherous plot to claim my title. ’Tis why I am here—” He scanned the armed Romani men who’d moved into view surrounding them, shifted his focus to their leader. “To reclaimmy birthright.”
Taog crossed his arms over his chest. “A fact that has littleto do with me.”
Father Lamond had warned him that ’twould be difficult to garner the Romani leader’s support, a man with friends, many unscrupulous, but someone who could be trusted. His unsavory life was not by choice but driven by the Earl of Dalkirk labelinghim a traitor.
They shared common bonds; in addition to their both supporting King Robert, Gaufrid had nearly destroyed their lives. A fact Cailin prayed would sway the powerful man to his side. “I would like to speak with you in private. First”—he glanced toward Elspet—“I ask that she be given food, and aplace to rest.”
Taog nodded. “Follow me.”
She started after him.
With a frown, Cailin took his mount’s reins and walked beside her. “Stay within my sight while we are here.”
Surprise flickered in her eyes. “None within Taog’s camp would hurt me. I trust these peoplewith my life.”
He gave her a hard scowl, keeping watch on the armed men falling back as their leader strode past. “Mayhap, but you are under my protection. Until Tiran Castle is mine, you will heed my warnings.”
Another gust blustered past as they followed the leader. Nor did he miss that, in addition to the guards surrounding them, more men who’d been hidden in the woods joined their ranks. Even if they wanted to escape, the opportunity was lost.
Cailin shoved aside the unsettling thoughts as they stepped into a large clearing and focused on their surroundings. A few bows, spears, swords, and other well-crafted weapons were propped near tents, within easy reach. Though the camp was small, he noted that bundles of ties, travois, and other materials were close at hand in case they needed to breakcamp and flee.
If everything went according to plan, before he departed, as had Sir Angus, he would establish a hiding place to leave messages with Taog.
They made their way around several large rocks and the dense foliage gave way, exposing a much larger cluster of dwellings. Ingenious, he mused, that the outer encampment was designed to convince anyone passing by that it belonged to a small group. More so, at first glance the setting appeared arbitrary, while on closer inspection, he saw that the location of the dwellings allowed the Romani to spot approaching riders long before the intruders were aware oftheir presence.
Tents with furs shoved inside riddled the area and chests of goods were stacked near the rocks. Flames tangled into the darkening sky from several fires set around the shared dwelling spots, bubbling pots sitting over each one, and scruffy men and a few women sat huddled nearby.
As they moved through the encampment, several people calledout to Elspet.
Cailin glanced at her, remembered how Father Lamond had explained that she’d visited many times over.
At the center of camp, their leader gestured to her.“Sit, please.”
After she complied, she was handed a blanket, and once she’d wrapped it around herself,a bowl of stew.
