Highland Resilience (The Band of Cousins Book 6) Read online

  “Greetings to you and welcome to Clan Ramsay,” Gavin said. He glanced about, but there was no sign of Maggie and Will. If they’d arrived with this man, they’d already gone off somewhere.

  “Many thanks. Your clan has quite a reputation, for both its women and its men.” Fitzroy shifted his gaze back to Logan. “I’ve heard of your daughters, but not your son. Is he your only son?”

  “Aye, but he’s a fine one. My two eldest daughters have both worked hard for the Crown. Maggie still does, as you know, but Molly has health issues.”

  He noticed his sire didn’t make any mention of Molly’s seer skills, or how the headaches that accompanied her visions had pained her of late. He’d also failed to mention she was carrying her first bairn, which kept her abed at times.

  Fitzroy’s gaze returned to Gavin, assessing him carefully. “It must be a challenge for you to measure up.”

  Indeed, although who was this stranger to say so? Something about him didn’t set well with Gavin, and not just that he had apparently arrived before his two escorts. He’d be interested to hear his sire’s opinion of the man later. In any case, he’d not give Fitzroy what he wanted. He decided to goad him instead. “Measure up?”

  “You’re the only son of the great Logan and Gwyneth Ramsay. Two powerful reputations for you to measure up to.” The man glanced back at his father. “How well has he met your expectations?”

  Gavin would like nothing better than to show the man that he measured up with his fists, but fortunately, Gregor and Torrian walked up to them before he could.

  His father shot him a veiled look before offering an introduction. “Here is our laird, Torrian, and his brother, Gregor.”

  Torrian greeted the man with a clasp to his shoulder. He’d apparently heard the exchange, because he said, “Gavin measures up well. I expect he’ll build his own reputation in due time. Where are Maggie and Will, and what is the latest news of the Channel?”

  Gavin appreciated his cousin’s kind words and how deftly he’d steered the conversation away from him, especially with two important questions, ones they all were anxious to have answered.

  Rollin Fitzroy glanced at the ground, his hands on his hips. “Maggie and Will are a couple of days behind me. We were surprised at the most recent development in the Channel of Dubh. The entire operation has been moved. The leaders used to operate out of London, but now they’ve moved completely to the northwestern part of the Highlands. Maggie and Will stayed to find out more specific information, but they sent me on ahead. They didn’t want anyone in your group to head off in the wrong direction. Due to all the information they uncovered in Edinburgh, they’re changing tactics. Heading west.”

  “But their largest operation was supposed to be in the northeast,” Gregor stated.

  “Was the northeast. Now they’re in the northwest.”

  Gavin glanced at Gregor, surprised by this revelation. If it were true, it would indicate a complete change in strategy. But were they truly expected to take a stranger’s word for it?

  “Come inside,” Logan said. “I’ll find a nice goblet of my best concoction to warm your insides and a light repast. Supper won’t be for another two hours.” His expression was inscrutable, as usual.

  Rollin smiled. “I was hoping you’d offer me a nice whisky. The best part of Scotland, I say.” They headed across the courtyard to the keep while Gavin, Gregor, and Torrian held back.

  Gavin was the first to speak. “I don’t trust the man,” he said at once.

  Torrian cocked his head. “I won’t pass judgment yet, but I cannot disagree with you.”

  “He is English, so that doesn’t help him,” Gavin added with a snicker. “He may have lived in Inverness, but his speech is definitely English.”

  Torrian and Gregor both chuckled. “Aye, there is that fact,” Torrian said, clapping him on the shoulder. “I’ll see you both inside.”

  Gregor said, “I’ll go with you. I want to hear everything the man says.”

  Gavin said, “I’ll be there in a few moments.”

  Torrian glanced at Gavin. “Something bothering you?”

  “Nay, I’ll be right along. Going to brush my horse down.” The two headed off toward the keep. Gavin didn’t need to brush his horse down—he’d just come from the stables, and the lads would take care of the animal. He wanted to a moment alone to mull over something that troubled him.

  Although his cousin and chieftain had been kind enough to tell Fitzroy that Gavin did indeed measure up, his sire had never responded to Fitzroy’s question. Logan Ramsay, his beloved father, clearly did not think much of what he had accomplished. While they’d argued about it before, he knew his sire’s temper better than anyone, and sometimes he said things merely for the sake of argument. But this proved it. He wasn’t just arguing—he believed it.

  Logan Ramsay, the Beast of the Highlands, did not think much of his only son’s abilities.

  Perhaps it was time to change that opinion.

  Chapter Five

  Gavin felt compelled to do one more thing before he headed into the keep to find out more about the Channel and Rollin Fitzroy. He made his way to the hut in the farthest corner of the inner bailey and knocked on the door of the hut as quietly as possible.

  His sister Molly’s husband, Tormod, answered, holding a hand up to let him know to keep his voice low.

  “Is she awake, Tormod? I really need to speak with her,” he whispered.

  Tormod ushered him into the dark hut where the only sound was Molly’s even breathing. Her thin form lay on the soft bed in the chamber off the center room of the hut. Tormod led him inside and sat on the edge of the mattress. “Your brother is here,” he whispered. “Are you hale enough for a short visit?”

  Molly nodded with a smile, indicating that Tormod should light one small candle on the table. She then held her hand out to Gavin—a silent invitation to sit on the stool beside the bed.

  Molly was his eldest sister, adopted before Gavin was born. His parents had saved her and Maggie, her blood sister, from a horrible situation. Their birth parents had given them up to serve as maids for a family who’d beaten and berated them.

  Molly had modeled herself after her adoptive mother from the first, donning leggings and a tunic and learning to be the best archer she could. She was a fierce warrior, just like her sister, Maggie, and she was also a seer, a talent that had proven useful to the clan many times. Some said his sister also had the uncanny skill of sensing evil spirits, but that had yet to be proven.

  “Another bad one, Mol?” Gavin whispered, taking the stool next to her bed and grasping her hand.

  “Aye.”

  “How does the babe fare?”

  “Fine.”

  A curt response, which meant this headache was bad indeed. When it got like this, the simple act of speaking pained her, but she had an amazing talent of saving her words for what was necessary. He would keep their meeting brief out of respect for her.

  “Did it just start?”

  She nodded again.

  “There’s a new man who just arrived. He was meant to come with Maggie and Will, but he says they’ve been held back a couple of days. This man claims the Channel of Dubh has shifted its location out of England and the northeast Highlands over to the northwest. I don’t trust him. I can’t explain why, but I believe the worst of it is still in the northeast. I believe he’s brought us bad information, whether he meant to or no. What say you?”

  Molly closed her eyes for a few seconds, then opened them and gazed up at him. She pointed to his chest and nodded. “’Tis as you say. The northeast. ’Tis where you should go with the lass.”

  Her answer gratified him, especially since he hadn’t mentioned taking Merewen along. His sister had a true gift. He was glad he’d listened to the niggling voice inside his head, the one that had whispered Fitzroy wasn’t to be trusted. He knew in his gut that something bad was multiplying in the northeast, and it needed to be stopped. He smiled and kissed her forehead. “Thanks, Mol. Feel better.”

  “Gavin?”

  “What is it?”

  “Be careful. You are right, but ’tis verra dangerous, even more so than you would guess. Keep your eyes open, and do not trust all you’re told. I need to speak with Maggie when she gets here. I think there will be a threat against her, or possibly Will.”

  “Or mayhap both?” he asked.

  “I surely hope not,” Molly said.

  Gavin covered his sister up with a fur and moved out the door to leave. Tormod clasped his shoulder and said, “Godspeed. I think you have some challenges ahead, but you are more than capable.”

  He headed out the door back toward the keep. It didn’t take him long to decide how to proceed—he knew his sire. Logan Ramsay had worked for the Crown for years. He would go along with the king’s man, whether he liked him or not, until there was solid evidence he should do otherwise. Nay, he wouldn’t share what Molly had told him because it wouldn’t be sufficient motivation for him to cross King Alexander’s man.

  He trekked up the steps and headed inside the great hall, surprised to see how quiet it was at this time of day. Rollin Fitzroy was nowhere to be seen, and the remaining group consisted of his sire, Gregor, Torrian, and Uncle Quade, gathered in front of the fire.

  Torrian got up to leave as he approached the hearth, pausing to clasp his shoulder in passing. Gavin and Torrian were often asked if they were brothers. They had similar looks, both with the lighter brown hair and green eyes. Gregor was Torrian’s half-brother, but his dark hair and eyes favored his mother.

  Privately, Gavin considered Gregor to be the best looking of the three, although he loved to crow about his own good looks to make them laugh. He didn’t mind flaunting himself because Gregor was truly oblivious to things such as appearances. His cousin was focused and determined. He preferred to stand back and let others talk while he analyzed everything. He was the best strategist of all the Ramsays, or so Gavin thought, but he rarely shared his ideas with anyone other than Gavin.

  He grabbed an ale from a side table on his way to join the group. No one spoke so he jumped right in with his question. “I thought Will and Maggie were coming with Fitzroy. Wouldn’t Maggie have sent a missive if they were held up?”

  “She did,” his sire said. “Fitzroy gave me the message. They’re delayed, which means you’re staying here for the time being.”

  “Nay, it doesn’t. Gregor and I may choose to go ahead to Grant land to meet up with Connor, see what the cousins have learned in the north. Mayhap Loki has some information we could use if the operation had indeed moved to the northwest. That is, if you want to take a stranger’s word.”

  “He’s a man of the king,” his sire nearly growled. “Why would I doubt his word?”

  Gavin shrugged his shoulders. “I don’t trust the man.”

  “From one short encounter?”

  “’Tis just a hunch I have.” He pursed his lips, knowing his father wouldn’t agree with him, even though the man was well known for following his own hunches.

  If only his sire trusted him.

  “What you think doesn’t matter, Gavin. I’m giving you orders that you’re to wait until Maggie and Will arrive.” His father moved to refill his ale.

  “And what about Linet? We give her kidnappers two days’ gain on us?”

  Gavin settled in a chair in front of the hearth and leaned back, stretching his long legs out in front of him. “I promised Merewen we would not give up on her sister.”

  Uncle Quade said, “We have not given up, Gavin. Torrian has sent a patrol out with both of her brothers along. They may turn up something. A piece of clothing, a reiver who may have seen something.”

  Her brothers who didn’t seem to care she’d gone missing.

  “Papa, I know you don’t want me to go,” he persisted, leaning forward now, “but I’d like to meet up with the rest of the Band of Cousins.” Gavin would not give up on this quest. He still wished for his sire’s support, but if Logan persisted in refusing him, he would have to move forward without it. He was convinced Linet had been kidnapped to be sold over the waters.

  His father spun around. “You may take up that mission as soon as the ones in charge of the Band arrive. You’ll wait for your sister.”

  “Nay, I won’t. Two days from now may be too late. I’m leaving this eve. Gregor, I hope you’ll go with me, but I cannot wait. The men in the Channel move fast.”

  “I said nay.” His father’s tone carried a silent message, one he gave out often—he was not up for a challenge in the matter.

  Gavin didn’t care. His father clearly didn’t think much of him, so what did it matter if he had his support? He ignored him and turned to Uncle Quade. “I hope you’ll allow Gregor to join me. We’ll go to Grant land first, hope to gain Connor’s assistance and any others in the Band. Whether we’ll go east or west from there has not been decided yet, although my gut says the Channel is still in the northeast.”

  “I’m denying you,” his father said.

  “Papa—” His voice rose enough that his mother must have overheard because she came down the staircase in a rush. “I know you don’t believe in me, but I don’t need your approval to leave on a mission with the Band of Cousins. I’d hoped you would give it, but I’m going whether or not you wish it. I am an adult.”

  His father glanced at his uncle. “Quade, do you approve of them going without Maggie and Will?”

  Quade sighed and said, “What I say does not matter. ’Tis up to Torrian, but I know the lass’s parents will appreciate his offer. I trust my son and Gavin. Why don’t you?”

  Logan looked like he might explode, but instead he paced, something they all knew was not good.

  Gwyneth stepped in his path, forcing him to look at her. “Logan, I agree with your brother. ’Tis time to trust our son. You need to get over that other incident. He was much younger. How many battles has he been involved with since then? You must let him go. This is not something trivial he is attempting to pursue.”

  Although his parents bickered all the time, fondly, Gavin had never heard his mother disagree with his father about such an important issue. Usually, his mother could soothe his sire’s fury, but this time he only looked angrier, his face an unnatural red. Then the oddest thing happened—all that hot anger faded, replaced by a look Gavin liked even less: one of challenge.

  Gavin’s sire stared straight at him. “Don’t do it. You’ll regret it.” His voice came out in the barest of whispers.

  “Logan. You’re not thinking,” Gwyneth snapped.

  “You don’t trust me, Papa? All because of a mistake I made three years ago? Well, I made my amends. Think of me as you wish, but I’m going after Linet.” He turned his attention to his cousin. “Gregor, I hope you’ll come with me.”

  With a final nod toward his cousin, he stalked toward the door. At the base of the staircase, he caught a glimpse of something out of the corner of his eye.

  Fitzroy. How long had he been standing there listening?

  The man gave a brief nod and said, “Godspeed to you on your journey to the northwest. She’s worth the effort.” Unfortunately, the smug expression on his face belied his words. He looked quite pleased with the disagreement between father and son.

  “Don’t do it, Gavin. Don’t go out that door!” His father’s voice nearly shook the rafters.

  He ignored his sire and walked out the door, but before he could step away, a thought occurred to him. One more thing he needed to do before he left. He stalked back inside, throwing the door open wide, and stood there. Once he had his sire’s attention, he said, “I forgot something.”

  He stepped back outside, but not before slamming the door shut as hard as he could.

  Chapter Six

  Logan forced himself to stay calm, mostly because he’d noticed Fitzroy was watching them carry on from the top of the stairs. “Quade, are you out of your mind? You’re leading him on.”

  “Nay, I’m not out of my mind,” his brother said, his tone unequivocal. “You are. Our sons are grown men. They’re both fine archers, and they’ve done admirable work with the Band of Cousins. And Gavin is a hell of a swordsman, too. Why can’t you trust your own son to travel to Grant land with a few guards?”

  Logan glared at his brother. Quade knew the answer to his own question, but he was going to force him to answer anyway. “You know why. Gavin doesn’t have the sense of responsibility the others have. He can’t be trusted to function alone.”

  Gwynie said, “He’s not alone, Logan. And I agree with your brother. He’s certainly capable of traveling to Grant land with Gregor and a handful of guards. He’s traveled that trail numerous times. Respect him for trying to do the honorable deed and allow him to go.”

  “I cannot do that.”

  “Why not?” Quade asked.

  “Aye. Why not?” his wife pressed.

  The two of them stared at him. He glanced up at the top of the stairs, pleased to see Fitzroy had disappeared. Gregor stood behind his sire, awaiting his final decision.

  The feeling of panic wouldn’t leave his gut. Logan couldn’t bear the thought of Gavin leading a group north on his own, although he couldn’t put his thoughts into words. He struggled with what he knew the real reason was, but he couldn’t bring himself to admit it to anyone.

  Quade knew him well because he said, “Gregor, go follow your cousin. If he leaves, go with him. Tell Torrian and take five guards with you.”

  Gregor nodded to his sire and left.

  As soon as he closed the door behind him, Gwynie said, “Logan? What is it? It’s more than the past, isn’t it?”

  Quade nodded. “Aye, and I suspect you’ve no real reason to worry.”

  Logan gave a low growl before he pulled the words from his gut. “He’s our only son, Quade. You have two. If something should happen to him…”

  Gwynie reached out to touch him, her hand on his shoulder grounding him like nothing else could. “You would be just as upset if anything happened to one of your daughters. I know you better than to think otherwise. How can you justify that fear?”