Page 141 of Edge of Yesterday

"We must speak with, ye, father," Lennox said, and he and Julianna went to stand before his desk.

Cailean closed the door and crossed to Julianna’s side.

Lennox wasted no time and said, “We have just come from Reay Abbey. Crowe has left to see Alex. He intends for Cailean to appear before him at Heatheredge Tower in Alex’s stead.

Ravenstone leaned back in his chair. “Who told ye this?”

Lennox told his father how they’d gone to Reay Abbey. The baron’s expression grew grimmer with each passing word. Then when Lennox looked at Cailean and nodded, Cailean related what they’d overheard in the cave, leaving out only the part about Crowe's magic. Cailean had been there and he still couldn't believe what he'd seen. They’d all agreed that the baron was likely to dismiss them altogether if they told him Crow used his wizard’s staff to summon a vision.

By the time they finished the story, Ravenstone's expression had turned thunderous.Cailean tensed when the man’s hard eyes bore into him as he said, "You promised me you would take care of my daughter. Yet, less than a day married, ye takeher into danger."

"Papa, it wasnae his fault." Julianna said. "I threatened to follow them if they left me behind."

Ravenstone turned a stern eye onto her. "A man who doesnae know how to deal with a wife should no’ be married."

Anger flashed in her eyes. “I am not his slave. I go where I will."

"Aye?" her father said in a cool voice." Then your mother didnae teach ye any respect—or mayhap that is my doing.”

"Be angry if you like." She lifted her chin. “It is not his fault. I refused to obey."

"Aye, it is his fault," her father said.

She shook her head and opened her mouth to reply, but Cailean cut in. "He's right, Julianna."

She snapped her head in his direction. "I am no child to be ordered about."

"Yet you are acting like a spoiled child," Ravenstone said.

"I take responsibility," Cailean said.Julianna started to reply, but he said, "Nae, Julianna. Let it be."

Ravenstone gave a slow nod. "So it shall be. I will leave right away for Inverness. While I am away, Cailean, ye are not to leave Raghnall.”

"What?" Julianna blurted. "But why?"

"Keeping your husband here seems to be the only way to keep you safe at home.” He shrugged. “So I will keep him home."

Her mouth fell open. "That is ridiculous."

Ravenstone stared at her. "Is it?"

She stared, clearly at a loss.

Ravenstone turned to Lennox. "Fail your duty by allowing either of them outside of Raghnall while I'm away, you will be sleeping with the men in the great hall and taking guard duty until I die and you become the sixthBaron Ravenstone.

"Father." Julianna hurried to his side." You cannot mean this."

His mouth thinned. “Look at the way you are dressed, Julianna."

It was just a ruse to —"

"To what?" He cut in harshly. "If you had told me ye went to Heatheredge and overheard Crow talking, I would say it was good fortune. Instead, you tell me that you snuck into Reay Abbey and pretended to be beggars.”

“Did ye hear what Cailean said?” she persisted. “There is some connection with Crowe and the Ross sorcerer Valdar Ross. Father, Crowe said he met Alex in Heatheredge when Alex was seven years old. That is when the Rosses attacked Heatheredge. Crowe carries the same dagger Valdar Ross carried. He is Valdar Ross.”

“I dinnae care if you discovered he is the devil himself come to live among us. What good is any of this knowledge if ye are dead?”

The room went silent.