Highland Steel: Highland Chronicles Series - Book 3

by Rose, Elizabeth

“Nay, I dinna think so. Just me. I was tendin’ to the flock in the nearby field when I saw ye and Rhoswen disappear into the flowers and tall grass. I figured ye were at it again.”

  “Aye, and now I’m wishin’ that I hadna bedded her at all.”

  “Really?” Ethan picked up a brush and ran it over his horse’s flanks. “And why is that, my friend?”

  “Because now I’ve got a decision to make and I dinna ken what to do. No matter what I decide, I am sure someone is goin’ to get hurt.”

  Ethan slowly put the brush down and walked out of the stall. “Tell me about it, Logan. Ye look like ye need a friend to talk to.” He sat down on the bench next to him.

  Logan brushed off the cross and reached over for a skein of leather cord, cutting off a length with his sharp knife. “I took Rhoswen up to the field of bluebells to tell her that she and her siblin’s couldna stay here.”

  “How did she take it?”

  “I never told her,” said Logan.

  “Because ye were busy doin’ other things instead?” asked Ethan with a nod.

  “Nay. Aye. Och, I dinna ken. I mean, I wanted to tell her, but I couldna.”

  “Because ye dinna want her to go.”

  “That’s true. But the real reason is because she came out and asked me if I could talk to Storm about her and her siblin’s stayin’ here with the MacKeefes. Forever.”

  “I see yer problem. That was bad timin’, I guess. What did ye tell her?”

  “I never gave her an answer. Because then she told me she wanted me to help her get her nephew back from the Drummonds.”

  “And?”

  “I told her I wouldna put our clan at risk after we lost so many in the last battle with the Drummonds.” Logan stabbed his knife into the bench and shoved the leather cord through the hole at the top of the cross.

  “I dinna suppose she took it very well.”

  “She didna understand, so I told her my story about how it was all my fault and that I also managed to lose our clan’s lucky sword.”

  “Then what happened?”

  “What happened is she said somethin’ that I never expected. And it changes everythin’, Ethan. And I do mean everythin’.”

  “What was that?”

  “It seems the sword her faither stole from the king wasna the king’s sword at all.”

  “What does that mean? I dinna understand.”

  Logan tied a knot in the cord and held up the necklace, dangling it in front of him. “The sword she was talkin’ about was really our sword, Ethan. It was the Sword of Triumph.”

  “It was?” Ethan’s brows arched. “Then we need to get it. I ken we failed last time, but mayhap this time will be different.”

  “Nay. It’s too dangerous,” Logan told him. “And I willna put the clan at risk again. I canna allow anyone else to die.”

  “Then we’ll sneak in and get it by ourselves,” said Ethan. “I’ll get Hawke and Caleb to help us.”

  “Nay, this is somethin’ I need to do on my own.”

  “How the hell do ye think ye are goin’ to go up against the Drummonds by yerself, Logan? Ye’re mad. Ye’ll get killed. Let us help ye.”

  “Rhoswen asked me a second time to help her, but I never answered.”

  “Why no’? If the Drummonds have the Sword of Triumph, ye have a guid reason to want to help her now.”

  “Aye,” he said, sticking the necklace in his sporran and standing up to brush the wooden shavings off his plaid. “But how can I tell the lass I didna want to help her save her nephew, but now that there is somethin’ I want, I’d be willin’ to risk it? What’s the matter with me, Ethan? What kind of a man am I who only does things to benefit himself? I’m disgusted, and I’m sure Rhoswen must hate me for it. I canna blame her.”

  “Ye’ve gone through a lot, Logan, and ye’re holdin’ guilt that isna yers.”

  “How can ye say that?” spat Logan. “It was my fault the sword was stolen and that some of our clan members died tryin’ to fix my careless mistake. I canna involve the clan in this decision. Tomorrow, I’ll go by myself to save Rhoswen’s nephew. And after I do, I’ll find the Sword of Triumph and bring it back to the clan.”

  “Ye canna go alone. I’ll talk to Storm and we’ll figure this out.”

  “Nay, ye willna mention a word of this to anyone. No’ even Rhoswen,” he growled. “And if I dinna come back alive, please take care of Rhoswen and her siblin’s for me.” He stormed off.

  “Logan, wait! We need to talk this over.”

  “I have made my decision,” said Logan. “Tomorrow, I will leave on the mission, and I’ll make things right again, even if I have to die to do it.”

  “Ye’re bein’ a fool, Logan. Think with yer head and no’ yer emotions.”

  Logan didn’t answer. He walked over to a group of children who were playing near the hospice. Blaine sat there watching them, keeping to herself. Oliver and Newell were practicing with their wooden swords down by the water.

  “Blaine, I have somethin’ for ye,” said Logan, pulling the necklace out of his sporran and holding it out to her.

  “For me?” She stood up and slowly reached out to take it. “It’s a necklace,” she said.

  “I whittled it for ye. I ken how distraught ye’ve been and thought ye might find comfort in prayin’. Ye could hold on to this cross when ye’re worried and it will help ye to find solace.”

  “Thank ye so much,” said the girl, staring at the necklace in her hand with wide eyes.

  “Let me help ye put it on.” Logan took the necklace from her, slipping it over her head. Then he gently lifted her hair out from under it, laying it over her shoulders.

  “Thank ye, Logan,” she said, life coming back to her eyes for the first time since Logan had met her. “This will help me find comfort, I am sure.”

  Then, to Logan’s surprise, the shy girl threw her arms around him and hugged him.

  * * *

  Rhoswen opened the door of the hospice, stopping in her tracks when she saw Logan and her sister. It looked like Logan gave her a necklace. Then he put it on her and played with her hair before Blaine reached out and hugged him!

  Her jaw dropped open. She couldn’t believe what she was seeing. Did this man have no shame? He’d made love with her just this morning and now he was already making a pass at her sister? How could he?

  Furious, she slammed the door shut, feeling as if she didn’t know Logan at all. One minute he seemed to really care for her and the next he was refusing to help her and then flirting with her sister.

  “I’m done!” she said through gritted teeth. Nothing was going her way. If Logan wanted her sister, then so be it. She didn’t want a man who had eyes for every lassie he met. She might not have had a second thought about what she’d just seen if he hadn’t told her earlier that he bedded the daughter of his enemy just after meeting her. The man truly had no morals. Then again, he had done the same thing with her.

  The door to the hospice opened and Blaine rushed inside. “Sister, look what Logan made for me.” Blaine was happy and excited. She held up a wooden cross on a leather cord around her neck.

  “He made that?” Rhoswen suddenly felt even more jealous than before.

  “Aye, he whittled it for me. He told me I could hold on to it when I’m upset and that it might help to make me feel better. He is truly skilled with his hands. Don’t you agree?”

  “Oh yes, I agree he is very skilled with his hands,” she said, thinking about how he’d made her cry out in passion from just his touch. “Of course, it seems as if he’s had plenty of practice.”

  “What’s the matter, Rhoswen?” asked Blaine innocently, talking but still staring at the cross in admiration. “You seem angry or upset about something.”

  “I am,” she spat.

  “Did I do something to displease you?” Blaine rubbed the cross furiously with her fingers, looking up at Rhoswen with fear in her eyes. Her smile disappeared. “Rhoswen, what is the matter?”


  The girl had looked so happy for the first time in a long time. But now, in a matter of minutes, Blaine was back to being the frightened, sad girl and it was all because of Rhoswen.

  Rhoswen let out a deep breath. Her sister was simple at times, and very childlike in a lot of ways, but Rhoswen couldn’t be mad at her. If there was anything going on between her and Logan, Blaine probably didn’t even realize it. Whatever happened had to be all of Logan’s doing.

  “I’m happy for you, Blaine.” Rhoswen put her arm around her sister and pulled the girl to her, kissing her atop the head. “I’m sure that cross will help you to find the comfort you need. It was a perfect gift.”

  “I think I’m starting to like living here with the MacKeefes, Sister.”

  Rhoswen pulled away. “Well, don’t get too used to it,” she told her. “I don’t think the MacKeefes want us as part of their family.”

  “Why not?” asked Blaine.

  “I’m not exactly sure, but it doesn’t matter. We are English and we don’t belong here.”

  “Are we going home then?” asked her sister, looking sad about the idea.

  “I don’t know where we’ll go right now, but don’t you worry. We’ll figure it out.” She gave her sister another hug, glancing out the window. She saw Logan sparring with Newell and they were using real swords this time. Her brother actually wasn’t half-bad. He’d learned in a few days from Logan what their father couldn’t teach the boy in several years. Logan truly had a way with people and he was amazing.

  It made her sad to think about leaving, but his words made it clear that he didn’t want to help her and that they couldn’t stay here. She wouldn’t go near him anymore today, because she didn’t want to be tempted to make love with him again. She was better off without him, she tried to convince herself. Still, all she could think about was Logan.

  The door opened and Newell ran in, sounding really excited. “Sisters, come watch me spar with a real sword,” he told them. “Logan said I’m a fast learner.”

  Funny, she thought. That was the same thing Logan told her. She started wondering if he’d really meant the things he’d said to her or if he used the same few lines on everyone. Either way, it didn’t matter. Come tomorrow, she’d be long gone from here. If he wasn’t going to help her save Lockie, then she would do it on her own.

  “Go on,” she told her sister. “I’ll be along soon.”

  Her siblings left the room and closed the door. She watched their happy smiles as they talked with Logan. Logan was good for them, she had to admit. He’d already spent more time with them then her father ever had. Her heart went out to him, and she couldn’t stay angry, no matter what he decided. She was falling in love with him but, now, she decided that only made her weak.

  You need to get vengeance for our family, her father’s words echoed in her head. Kill Ranulph Drummond. Do it for me, Rhoswen. Find justice. Do it for your sister, Ailsa, and for your poor mother. That’s all that matters.

  Once again, Rhoswen’s heart hardened and she started to think that mayhap her father was right. She was in charge of her family now and would have to make the decisions. Rhoswen needed to start thinking like a warrior, a leader. Not like a lovesick girl who depended on men with muscles to get her out of harrowing situations.

  Suddenly, she wished for a cross to hold like Blaine had, to ease her worries. Because tomorrow, she would find a way to get to Clan Drummond, even if she had to go by herself and walk on foot to get there. She wouldn’t give up her hope of saving her nephew, and only hoped that she wasn’t already too late. She would do this by herself if she had to, and she wouldn’t leave the Drummonds until little Lockie was safely in her arms. It was a plan, but she’d yet to think it through. Because even if she managed to get inside the Drummond castle walls, she had no idea how she would ever leave there.

  Chapter 17

  Logan awoke early the next morning, collecting up the items he’d whittled and adding them to the pile of things that the clan planned to trade with Bug, the traveling merchant, as soon as he arrived.

  “What’s all the noise about?” complained Caleb, turning over on his bed. Logan had a candle burning and didn’t care that lazy Caleb liked it quiet when he slept. They shared the hut and he had just as much right to make noise if he wanted to.

  “Get out of bed, ye lazy bones,” said Logan, stacking the items into a wooden box. “I’ve never seen anyone who liked bein’ in bed as much as ye.”

  “Except for ye,” said Caleb with a yawn, sitting up in bed. Slink shot off the pallet and disappeared in the shadows. “Or at least that’s what I hear from Ethan – that ye and the Sassenach were at it again.”

  “Canna that fool ever keep his mouth shut?” grumbled Logan, putting a few things in his travel bag for his journey.

  “I see ye’re gettin’ ready to go to the Drummonds to get back the Sword of Triumph.”

  Logan shook his head and threw down his extra leine. “So the whole clan kens about it now?”

  “I’m no’ sure if the whole clan does, but yer close friends do, Logan.” Caleb got out of bed and dressed quickly. He pulled a travel bag out from under the table and added a few things to it.

  “What’s that? What’re ye doin’?” asked Logan, looking over his shoulder.

  “I’m just packin’ up a few things that Slink and I might need on our travels.”

  “Where are ye goin’?” he asked curiously. “Ye didna say anythin’ about havin’ plans to travel.”

  “That’s because I didna have any until I talked to Ethan last night.”

  “God’s eyes, nay!” spat Logan, spinning around. “Ye are no’ comin’ with me to the Drummonds. I am goin’ to do this by myself.”

  “I’m sorry, but I canna let ye do that.”

  “Just stay out of this, Caleb. I dinna want anyone else to die because of me.”

  “Well, we dinna want ye to die for doin’ such a foolish thing either.”

  “Here’s Bug now,” said Logan, picking up the box of items and going outside to meet the traveling merchant. Jack was waiting outside the door and kept pace alongside him as he made his way to the merchant’s cart. “Bug,” Logan called out as the short, squat man with the bugged out eyes brought his horse to a stop.

  “Guid mornin’ to ye, Logan. It’s a beautiful day today.” Bug got off his cart and hopped to the ground.

  Logan wanted to talk to the man before everyone surrounded him like they usually did. Since Bug visited every clan, Logan thought he might have information about the Drummonds that he could use to his advantage.

  “I need to talk to ye,” said Logan, walking up to him with the box in his hands.

  “Oh guid, I see ye have more of yer whittled items.” Bug stuck his hand in the box to inspect the goods. “They bring me a nice return since all of the clans fight over them.”

  “Here, take them,” said Logan, pushing the box into the man’s hands.

  “Well, come take a look at my wares and tell me what ye’d like for them in trade.” Bug started to walk toward the wagon.

  “I dinna want to trade them.”

  “What did ye say?” asked Bug, turning around. He had a hearing problem and had to face a person to read their lips to help him hear what they were saying.

  Logan faced him. “I said I dinna want to trade.”

  “Oh, ye want for to me to pay outright then? Let me see what ye’ve got to determine the worth.”

  “Nay, I dinna want money for them either. What I’d like from ye instead is some information on the Drummonds.”

  Bug shook his head. “Ye ken I am no’ a gossip,” said the man. “I keep my nose clean and therefore my head attached. I dinna ken a thing.”

  “Stop it, Bug. We both ken ye are the biggest leak of gossip next to Caleb. I’m no’ askin’ ye to do anythin’ that might get ye killed. I only want to ken if ye’ve seen the Drummonds lately and if so, if they had a sword with a snake carved into the handle and gemstones in the hilt.” />
  “Ye mean the MacKeefe’s Sword of Triumph? I thought they stole it from ye years ago.”

  “They did. But I’ve recently learned the English stole it from them. And now I believe they’ve got it back again. Now, did ye see any of them with it lately?”

  “Nay.” Bug turned around and Logan grabbed his arm, turning him back around.

  “Dinna lie to me, Bug. Ye ken I lost a great deal to the Drummonds and I am only askin’ because this is important.”

  Rhoswen stepped out of the hospice to see Logan talking to a merchant who she didn’t know. They were speaking in low tones and looking around as if they didn’t want anyone to hear them. With her sword on her hip and her travel bag over her shoulder, she slipped out into the shadows, trying to get closer without them knowing she was there. She needed to hear their conversation.

  “All right, Logan, I’ll tell ye. I did see the Drummonds on the road a few days ago, although I havena been to their clan with my wares yet this month. They are my next stop.”

  “Did they have the sword?” asked Logan softly, looking back over his shoulder.

  “Speak up, Logan, ye ken I’m almost deaf,” snapped Bug. “If ye dinna look right at me, I canna read yer lips. Now, try again.”

  Logan faced the man this time. “Did they have the sword I described to ye? Tell me, did ye see it?”

  “I did,” admitted Bug, talking loudly. “It sure was a beauty with a wooden hilt. A carved snake wrapped around it and its mouth was opened wide with fangs. There were several colored jewels in the hilt that caught my eyes winkin’ in the sun. I tried to get them to trade it to me but they seemed to be in a hurry. They said they needed to get back to their chieftain.”

  “So they do have it!” said Logan, his hands balling up into fists. “That is my sword. Our clan’s lucky sword. I need to get it back.”

  “Blethers, Logan, ye arena plannin’ to go get it from them, are ye? Because if ye are, I will be sure no’ to be anywhere near when the swords start clashin’ and the bluid starts to flow.”

  “Quiet down,” said Logan, looking back over his shoulder again before turning back to talk to the man. “Nay, dinna worry. Ye’re in no danger, Bug. Thank ye for tellin’ me.”