Page 5 of The Eagle

Darach looked to Stuart. “What do we know about the men?”

“They came asking for asylum from ye. Stated that they had fled for their lives. We know nothing more. Winter meant they were contained to a certain place and most of them have stayed there since.”

“Most?” Liam asked, his expression incredulous.

“Half of the men have since left.”

The Maclean’s eyes rounded. “Ye allowed half of them to escape?”

“They are not our prisoners,” Stuart replied. “They may come and go as they please.”

Liam jumped to his feet. “Those men are traitors to my father; they must face the consequences of their disobedience.”

Suddenly the Maclean’s countenance changed, and he gave them an appeasing look. “Be calm son. Let us not start off by arguing.”

“What other subject do ye propose we speak of then?” Darach asked.

“I would like to get to know ye better,” the Maclean said, meeting Darach’s gaze. “As a new laird, I am sure ye have much to learn. Perhaps I can provide guidance while here. For now, I will not press the issue of the men, ye hold.”

Every word the man uttered grated. Stuart met Darach’s eyes and understood his brother was on the brink of losing control.

“Why don’t we proceed to the courtyard. I will show ye the new guard training areas,” Stuart said motioning to the door.

As he walked out with the Maclean’s, he noted that Duncan moved closer to a very furious Laird Ross.

Chapter Two

Cait’s heart pounded so hard, she thought it would burst out of her chest. She leaned on a wall just outside the kitchen, tears threatening to spill down her cheeks.

“Whatever is the matter with ye child?” Greer, the cook, asked giving her a questioning look. “There is much to do for ye to give into fret.”

“I’m sorry,” Cait replied lifting her apron to wipe her face. “It’s just that one of the men visiting said something upsetting, that is all.”

Greer shook her head and motioned for Cait to follow her. “Men are horrible creatures at times.” The cook hurried to where her daughter ladled out hot figs mixed with honey into pastry shells. “Do not be so sloppy, Finella.”

Cait lifted two pitchers and prepared to go back out. She said a silent prayer no one would bother her. But each time there were visitors, someone always seemed to take notice of her and do or say something untoward.

The men who worked at the keep knew her half brother, Torac, a warrior for the laird. Not wishing a confrontation with the muscled warrior, meant most of the Ross men let her be. However, visitors were another story.

As she refilled the tankards of the Maclean men at the long tables, several pretended to stretch or lift their hands, touching her arm or backside. Cait was adept at avoiding most of them, over time maids became prolific at sensing where to stand and how to turn to stay out of reach.

When she walked past where her brother stood, Torac took her by the arm. “Ye should do yer best to remain in the kitchen. Ask Greer to give ye other tasks.”

“I cannot,” Cait replied. “I have only been working here a few weeks. I do not want to be any trouble.”

He glared in the direction of the visitors and nodded understanding. Cait went about her duties feeling better at knowing her half brother watched over her.

Just six weeks earlier, she, her mother, and her young brother had traveled from the southern portion of the isle to seek help from Torac. Her mother was ill and Cait needed work in order to support them.

Her father had been married to Torac’s mother. It wasn’t until he’d not returned for a long time that they’d discovered the truth from a traveling peddler. Not only about a second family, but that her father had died.

Thankfully Torac had been kind enough to petition the laird for work for Cait. The laird had also been overly generous and allowed them to move into an empty cottage on the lands. The walk back and forth from the keep was quite long, but most days Cait didn’t mind it. As tired as she was at the end of the day, she looked forward to returning home rather than sleeping in the maid’s quarters.

Before arriving at Ross lands, her mother had spent most days inside, and her younger brother—who was four and ten—did his best to look after her. For months her mother had languished in bed, seeming to have no will to continue in day-to-day life. However, since they’d arrived there six weeks ago, her mother seemed to regain a bit of strength every day.

Cait’s was not an easy life, but neither was it horrible.

After the meal and cleaning of the great hall, Cait joined the line of servants awaiting Greer’s instructions. She stood between Finella and another new kitchen maid, Cora. In the short time they’d worked together, the three of them had become good friends.