Chapter Thirty-Four

Lennox

"What the hell is going on?" Lennox MacVey asked as he approached his friend near the stables.

Sloan Rankin nodded his head toward the keep. "We need to talk. Hear the man out, then we can talk privately."

Lennox nodded, then led the way into his keep, heading toward the solar. He nodded to his mother to let her know to send a light repast in, then to join them. She knew everything that happened between his father and the other chieftains of the region, so Lennox considered her input invaluable.

His father had made her listen quietly in the background of all meetings, only offering her opinion when they were alone. She did the same for her son, and Lennox approved. But then again, his mother was quicker than any other woman he'd ever met.

Perhaps that was why he'd never married. He wanted an intelligent wife, but hadn't found one worth pursuing yet, ignoring his mother's persistent cajoling.

He opened the door to his solar, taking the seat behind the desk while Sloan and the third man took two seats on the opposite side.

Lennox started, "What has the two of you riled? Summer is here and the weather is lovely. Enjoy it."

Sloan's consternation was more than evident on his face; it was also in the sweat of his palms. Lennox couldn't help but wonder what had his friend so upset.

His mother had obviously picked up the same because she entered, a serving lass behind her carrying a tray with ale tankards along with a platter of berries and cheese. The serving lass settled everything and left as quickly as she'd entered.

His mother nodded to the two men, then took a seat against the back wall.

"Rut, feel free to sit closer," Sloan said. "We know you'll take everything in."

"I'm fine here, Rankin. Continue, Lennox."

Lennox didn't try to hide the glitter in his eyes at his mother's raised chin and narrowed eyes. The woman knew exactly how to handle herself and everyone else. He'd learned much from her over the years.

Lennox looked directly at Neil MacClane and asked, "What news have you for us?"

"MacDougall's brother is still here. Gone daft."

This was news, something that completely surprised him. He arched a brow, saying nothing, knowing MacClane would continue if he didn't speak. Rankin caught his gaze but kept his thoughts to himself.

"I saw him myself. Ulchel, the fool. He's gone daft. We have to stop him."

"Why?" Lennox asked, steepling his fingers in front of him as he leaned back in his chair.

"Because he's planning to attack Duart Castle. Then he's going after MacQuarie Castle. He told me. The fool has lost his mind. His brother kicked him out for attacking a lass in the clan. Now he'll do anything to gain his brother's approval. He wants back in the clan, and he believes that if he gets Duart Castle back, his brother will forgive him. That's his first step. After, he thinks he's going to control the isle by himself. Or rather, he plans to get Duart back for his brother, then he'll take over the rest of the isle."

They both smiled, Lennox hiding his better than Sloan.

"Aye, you two included. He thinks he'll have his brother's guards behind him and MacQuarie's men, then you two are next." Neil wiped the sweat from his brow before taking two long swigs of his ale.

Sloan snorted. "No one has enough soldiers to oversee the island. Only King Robert could drum up that many men. No one on the isle is large enough. Together, we don't have enough men to take over all the clans."

"I told you he was daft, did I not?" MacClane gave him an exasperated look that nearly made Lennox smile. But there was more to this story. They all knew that MacDougall could attempt to seize control of the clans, but without the necessary number of trained guards, it was impossible. But any attack could still cost each of them some men. "Lennox, what the hell are we going to do?"

"Neil, MacDougall doesn't have enough men to conquer Duart Castle, much less MacQuarie Castle."

His mother stood, something unusual. "There is something else. Everyone knows that King Robert instructed the Ramsays to assume control of Duart Castle. There are two leaders of their guards—one is a Grant and the other a Ramsay. The Grants have a thousand men and the Ramsays another five hundred, which is why King Robert called on them. It would be a death sentence to strive to capture Duart Castle. There is more to this, and I wish to know what it is."

Lennox, surprised to see his mother participate, knew that she was as concerned as MacClane. Why, however, was his current question. What had triggered his mother to do the unthinkable and speak her mind in a chieftains' meeting?

The door opened with a bang, and a large man filled the doorway, his gray hair tied back with a leather thong.

Lennox nearly stood but stayed in his seat because his mother greeted the intruder before he could get his feet on the ground. She crossed her arms and nodded to the man. "Logan Ramsay. What the hell brings you here?"

"We have a problem, Rut. MacDougall plans to take over the isle, but in a way no one will suspect. And he's going after MacQuarie first."