Page 82 of Edge of Yesterday

“This is Cailean Ross,” Lennox said.

Ravenstone’s eyes snapped onto him and his expression hardened.

“I know it is strange,” Lennox quickly said, “but his mother is a Mackay.”

Cailean wondered if the baron was thinking of his daughter, whose biological father was a Ross and her mother a Mackay.

Ravenstone studied him. “Who is your mother?”

“Linda Mackay. She died when I was ten. My father Robert Ross died two years ago.”

“I dinnae know them.” He sat back. “But there are many Rosses and Mackays.”

“I am surprised my mother’s messenger didnae find you,” Lennox said.

The door opened and a lad brought in wine and goblets. When he’d set the goblets and wine on the table, Lord Ravenstone waved him away. He left and Lennox poured the wine.

“I have been traveling,” Lord Ravenstone said as Lennox set a filled goblet in front of him. “I only arrived here in Reay this morning. What has happened?”

Lennox set a full goblet in front of Cailean, who took a long swig.

“All is well,” Lennox said. “However, yesterday, Julianna was kidnapped.”

“Kidnapped?” Fear flashed in the baron’s eyes.

“She is well. We rescued her—largely due to Cailean’s help.” Lennox described the events, ending with how Cailean fought the man who chased them out of Strone Hall.

Ravenstone’s eyes shifted to Cailean. “Ye knew her kidnapper’s identity. You must be a powerful seer.”

Cailean shook his head. “Nae, just lucky.”

“That ‘luck’ struck again,” Lennox said. “Cailean said that if you had returned home with the messenger ye would have disappeared.”

“Disappeared?” he repeated.

“Like Malcolm did.”

“What do you know of his disappearance?” the baron asked in a cool voice that gave Cailean a glimpse of the hard man beneath the relaxed exterior.

Lennox leaned forward, speaking low, “He knows enough to suspect Crowe.”

“What has Crowe to do with this?” Ravenstone demanded.

“Maybe nothing,” Cailean said. “I only pointed out that the disappearances began when he became Clan Ceann-Cath.”

The baron’s brows furrowed. “Malcolm disappeared the month after Alexander named Crowe clan war chief.

“Aye,” Lennox said.

“But it is easy to suspect him because we do no’ like him, and given that your mother’s messenger didnae reach me, then we can conclude that Cailean’s prediction could no’ have come true.”

The door opened and a warrior entered.

“Sweet God,” Lennox murmured.

“What is it?” Cailean looked at him.

“It is Kevin, my mother’s messenger.”

The man stopped in front of Ravenstone. “Laird, I am here with a message from Lady Ravenstone. Forgive me, I rode to the farms up near Loch Eriboll first, where she thought ye were, and I traveled back through the countryside from there. Your daughter—”

“I know the message, lad,” the baron cut in. “Julianna has been rescued and all is well. Rest, then ride home and tell Lady Ravenstone I am well and will return within a sennight.”

The warrior nodded. “Aye, laird.”

When the door clicked shut behind the messenger, Lennox looked at his father and said, “It would seem my mother’s man reached you, after all. Had we no’ found you first, ye would have left for home immediately.” Lennox’s gaze shifted onto Cailean. “Would he have disappeared on the way, Cailean?”

Cailean released a breath. Dammit, he hated this, but he had no choice.

He nodded.