Chapter Fifteen

Thane

Thane stepped outside his gates to greet the visitor he'd been summoned to meet, but he froze as soon as he saw who it was. He did his best to hide his shock, but he surely failed.

Tamsin stood in front of him, her hands kneading in her skirts, but she appeared completely different from the last time he saw her. She was one of the most beautiful lasses he'd ever met. Now that the bruises had nearly disappeared, her skin was flawless, her hair the color of his favorite red sky at night, and her eyes were different. One blue and one green, as he'd seen before, but now they reflected the sun, golden flecks in each eye.

He had trouble tearing his gaze from the lass.

Her words brought him out of his stupor. "My lord, I would ask your assistance to help me return to my home. I must make certain that my daughter is hale."

Artan had found her outside their gates, surprised to see her alone, but there she stood, looking as lovely as anyone he'd ever met. Dressed in a new gown, she didn't look anything like the poor lass he pulled out of the sea. "How did you get here, Tamsin? Clan Grantham is a day's ride, at best."

"I hired someone from the next village to give me a ride. It was not the fastest horse, but I made it in a day. I did some cooking for Lady Grant, and she paid me in coin." Tamsin brushed the loose hairs back, her plait having been loosened by the winds of the isle.

"Come inside, Tamsin. Rest your legs. You may have healed, but you look fatigued. Have a bite to eat and we'll discuss it."

Tamsin nodded, allowing Thane to usher her in front of him as he followed her inside. Many of his men stared along the way, so he let out a whistle to remind them of their manners.

Brian came up behind him and whispered, "They do not see many, and surely not many who look like her."

"Doesn't excuse rudeness," Thane said between his teeth. Tamsin was far enough ahead at this point that he hoped she couldn't hear their conversation. Then he motioned for Brian to stay back and allow him inside the keep alone with Tamsin.

He knew his brother well enough to know he would interject himself eventually, but he wished a few moments alone with her.

Once inside, Thane gestured to a chair near the hearth and motioned to a serving lass who joined them. "Two cups of broth, please, Agnes." She hurried away to do his bidding.

"You wish to travel alone?" he asked once Tamsin was settled. "Do you think that is wise?"

"I have a daughter I must see." Her hands sat folded in her lap, but he noticed that once she began speaking, she wiggled her thumbs, a tell that she was anxious. About him or the prospect of returning to her husband? He'd wait to ask that question.

He took a chair opposite and locked eyes with hers. Hellfire, but she was so stunning she nearly took his breath away. What the hell was wrong with her husband? "Do you not fear that your husband will do the same with you? He tried to kill you, Tamsin. I watched him from afar."

She whipped her head to the side, avoiding his scrutiny as tears misted her eyes, her chin lifted proudly. He was glad she wasn't totally intimidated by their discussion of her husband. "I don't know what else to do. If you have a suggestion, my lord …"

"Thane, please."

She nodded as she turned back to him. "Thane." She cleared her throat and said, "I owe you much gratitude for saving me. Many thanks to you." She sniffled and brushed hairs away from her face before lifting her gaze to meet his, something that had a powerful effect on him. "What should I do? My husband ignores our daughter, but he sent her away until I give him a son. I want my daughter. If I had my way, I would never return, but I cannot, in good conscience, leave the innocent lass to Raghnall and his evil mother."

"She's as evil as he is?"

"I think he learned from her. She often tells him what to do." She swiped the tears from her eyes. "I must find Alana."

"Did you ask anyone at Clan Grantham to assist you?"

"Nay." She paused and stared at her folded hands. "They are new, with many more just arriving to join them."

"Ah, you snuck away."

"They were wonderful to me, but they just had another group arrive to fill their clan—horses, foodstuffs, crates of weaponry, kitchen items, furs, linens, wine. They are busy settling their clan. They helped me heal, so I did not feel right to ask them for any more assistance."

He couldn't help himself. "More horses? How did they get them there?"

"They arrived in two ships, oarsmen from Black Isle assisting them. One boat returned, but the other is staying here."

Thane was surprised about the ship, though he shouldn't have been. He focused on the horses—he wanted a warhorse to breed with his mares. That would come soon enough, but how to help this woman find her daughter? He didn't know.

"Do you know exactly where your daughter is being held, Tamsin?"

"Nay. He hides her from me."

"You realize you may never find her. Ulva is a large enough island with caves that he could hide her well."

Her voice cracked as she continued, "But I must find her. If you won't help me, then I'll teach myself to swim and swim across for her myself. I'll not leave her with that man and his mother!" Her voice came out a bit more powerful than she'd intended, and she flushed, a shade that nearly matched her red hair.

Thane lowered his voice in the hopes of calming the lass. "Allow me to think on it for a day, and I promise to help you in any way I can. This is not something that should be done without careful planning."

This seemed to placate her. "Many thanks to you." She gave him a soft smile and let out a deep sigh.

Hellfire if he didn't wish to hear that come from her lips after he brought her to her pleasure, then regained her composure while she lay wrapped in his arms.

The thought was vanquished with the burst of a door.

Brian stood there. "Raghnall Garvie is here asking for his wife."