Cailin scoffed. “You paid the captain of the ship to kill me.”
His uncle’s face darkened with outrage. “A lie!”
“If ’twas a lie,” Cailin said, disgusted at how his uncle spewed mistruths without compunction, “when you learned that I had returned to Dalkirk lands, you wouldna have sent troops to capture me but would have welcomed meinto my home.”
“My orders were given out of concern. Nor will I tolerate your twisting my actions into something nefarious.” He angled his head in a regal tilt. “Had your purpose upon your return to Dalkirk land been honorable, you would have ridden straight to Tiran Castle and we could have resolved your false beliefs. Instead, you dared to malign my character, a slander I willna tolerate. Once,” he drawled with loathing, “I would have welcomed you, but nay longer. You are nay blood ofmine. Begone!”
“You, as I, know the truth. Hear me: You will yield what is mine by graceorthrough force.”
“Anempty threat.”
“Indeed?” he said, his voice dry. Cailin glanced around him for emphasis. “With the castle surrounded, none can leave, and your supplies will run out within a month.”
A cold smile touched his uncle’s lips. “Lay siege if you wish, but en route to the stronghold, I sent runners with missives for reinforcements to the Earl of Odhran, along with several other powerful lords.”
Blast it! Still, regardless of whether his uncle’s claim was true, he refused to give up. “You have made your decision, one you will regret.” Cailin cast the white flag to the ground and cantered towardthe tree line.
Rónán fell in beside him. “That went well.”
“I expected nay less.” Nor would he linger on circumstances he couldna change. Elspet’s claim of love during the attack came to mind, and his chest tightened with emotion. “Upon our return, I will introduce you to a woman who has become important to me, one I trustwith my life.”
His friend’s brow raised. “The lass I saw beside you when I first arrived in the Romani camp?”
“Aye. Had I not been in such a hurry to surround Tiran Castle, I would have introduced you then.”
“She is a beautiful woman. I can see why she’s capturedyour interest.”
“She is, but she is intelligent and determined as well.” He guided his horse up the incline. “Her stepfather was Sir Angus McReynolds. On your last visit, she was hidden and saw your meeting with him.”
“I knew Angus had a family, but I never met them.” He frowned. “Wait, you said hewasher stepfather.”
A gust whipped past. “Aye. Angus, and his wife, were murdered by myuncle’s hand.”
Fury flashed in his friend’s eyes.“The bastard.”
“That and more.” In short, Cailin explained what had happened. Moments later, he guided his destrier to where Taog and Elspet waited, then swungto the ground.
Rónánfollowed suit.
Pride filled Cailin as he moved beside Elspet, damning that they hadn’t had time alone since the battle. “Sir Rónán, may I introduce to you Elspet McReynolds, whom I hold in high regard.”
His friend bowed. “’Tis an honor meeting you. My deepest regret on the loss of your stepfather and mother. Though I never had the honor of meeting your mother, your stepfather will be greatly missed.”
A flicker of pain streaked through the exhaustion on her face, and she exhaled a trembling breath.“I thank you.”
“As well,” Rónán said, “Cailin informed me that you saw me on my last visit to meet with Angus. I regret that we didnot meet then.”
A blush swept up her cheeks and she cleared herthroat. “As I.”
Cailin nodded to the Romani leader. “Taog, this is my good friend, Sir Rónán.”
Taog nodded to the knight. “You saved our hides.”
“I am thankful my men and I arrived in time.”
“How did you know that we were in danger?” the Romanileader asked.
“I spoke with King Robert before I came to Dalkirk,” Cailin explained. “The Bruce promised if men returned, he would send them. The chances were slight, so I didna mention the possibility.” He glanced around, noted the numerous injuries. “There is much more to speak of, a conversation we will continue once all of the wounded have been cared for.”
