Page 28 of Highland Spirit

“All right,” grumbled Caleb, patting the pouch hanging at his side. “Wait, where’s Slink?” He looked around the floor. “He was here a minute ago but now I canna find him.”

“Egads,” complained Ethan, whistling for his dog. Trapper bounded over and sat at Ethan’s feet. “Trapper, find Slink,” was all he said. The dog put its nose to the rushes and hurried back into the great hall with Caleb running after him. “I’ll meet ye at the boat. And hurry!”

Ethan turned to go, but stopped in his tracks when little Isobel stepped toward him, handing him her doll.

“What are ye doin’?” asked Ethan, looking at the doll but not taking it.

“I think Annabelle wants to go back to Sophie,” she said.

“Honey, are ye sure?” asked Alana.

“Aye, Mathair,” she answered, still looking frightened. “She’ll be safe there.” Alana didn’t understand. If the girl was afraid of Ethan, why was she giving him the doll? It made no sense to her at all.

“Nay. I dinna want it,” said Ethan with a shake of his head.

“But Sophie will cry without Annabelle,” said the girl. “Ye said so.”

“Dinna worry about it. I’ll get her another doll. It doesna matter.”

“We’ll see ye down to the boat,” said Albert, wanting to make sure that Ethan left before Diarmad and the other men returned.

“Dinna bother. I think I can find the way myself,” said Ethan.

“All right, I have Slink,” said Caleb, walking out, sticking the pine marten into his pouch. “Although I think it’s rude of us no’ to stay to break the fast.”

“Let’s go,” said Graeme, reaching out and grabbing Caleb’s arm.

Ethan had his sword drawn before Alana knew what happened.

“It seems to me ye are in a big hurry to get rid of us,” said Ethan. “Now, let go of my friend’s arm before I have to make ye do it.”

Albert’s hand moved toward his sword as well. Alana realized she had to do something quickly before a fight broke out. She stepped in between the guard and Ethan. “I’m sure they are only tryin’ to be helpful and mean ye and Caleb no harm.” She turned and glared at the guards and shook her head. Slowly, Graeme released Caleb’s arm and nodded to Albert. Then the two of them turned and walked away.

“What’s goin’ on here, Alana?” asked Ethan. “I want the truth!”

“They are just protectin’ me, that’s all. Please, at least stay for somethin’ to eat before ye leave.”

“Aye,” agreed Kirstine. “Plus, I have a basket of things we found left at the hut after Osla and the children left. They were Osla’s things. Caleb told me she died. I thought perhaps now that she is gone, her children would like to have them.”

“Oh,” said Ethan, looking over at Caleb.

“It might be nice,” said Caleb, running his hand over the back of his pet. “I mean, for Osla’s children and all.”

A woman walked by with a tray of food and Caleb’s head turned to watch her. Trapper sat down at Ethan’s feet and whined.

“Fine,” he said. “We’ll stay for a bite to eat, but we will leave as soon as the meal is finished.”

Alana liked that Ethan was staying. She realized it would mean she had another chance to talk to him to try to explain things. This time, she decided she was going to tell him everything. Or at least whatever she could without putting anyone’s life at stake.

“Och, I like that idea,” said Caleb. “Let’s go get somethin’ to eat, Ethan.” Caleb’s eyes lit up more when a tray of leftover cold duck passed beneath his nose when another servant walked by with more food.

“Go on without me,” said Ethan. “I’m no’ hungry. Besides, I have somewhere else to go.” Caleb hurried off, not having to be told twice.

“Ye have somewhere else to go?” Alana’s brows raised. “Where?”

“The garderobe,” he said, but Alana didn’t believe him.

Ethan walked away, leaving Alana standing there with Kirstine.