Chapter Thirty-Five

Tamsin

Tamsin had to admit that the sweet kiss she'd shared with Thane had set her heart soaring in a manner she'd never felt before.

She sat at a trestle table in the great hall, the group just finishing their meal made by the new cook they hired, and it had been wonderful. Tamsin had helped the lass add some spices and made a fruit tart on her own, and the group had enjoyed the sweet treat immensely.

It was time to move on.

After they finished and the bairns moved to their play area, Maitland said, "You are heading home on the morrow, Thane. How can we be of assistance to you? Oh, and bring your mare along on the next trip. I think the stallions will be settled by then." He chuckled at the expression of gratitude on Thane's face.

Thane said, "Much appreciation for that, Maitland. And I will bring a mare or two next time. I'll allow you to choose which will be the lucky one."

Dyna said, "Midnight Moon will choose. Don't worry. We've already had to pull Golden Gwyn away from him. He's getting randy."

Eli turned to Tamsin, bringing all the eyes to her. "What are your plans, Tamsin? I know you would like to gain your daughter back. How do you propose to do that? Have you some ideas?"

She didn't speak the words that popped into her mind—multiple choices.

I'll swim to her.

I'll hire someone. Whatever it takes.

I'll stick a dagger in my husband's eye, then kick him in the bollocks .

"I was going to ask if you had suggestions. As far as the law goes, since he tried to kill me twice, would I be able to walk away from the marriage? It would seem only right."

Maitland said, "Law goes with the husband, I'm afraid. If he wished to claim you again, he can. Mayhap I could speak with him, or Thane could approach him and see which way the bully is leaning. Thane's conversation could carry more weight, since he was a witness to both events. Your thoughts, Thane?"

Magni raced over into the middle of the group and said, "I forgot to tell you all something." The look on his face made Tamsin wish to hug him and tell him everything would be all right. It was fear unlike any she'd witnessed before.

Magni had everyone's attention, so he began his tale, "When I…I mean, when we got away from Garvie the first time, we got on a boat and hid in the forest. Lia's dress was green so we could hide really well, but while we were there, we saw two men talking …" The lad stopped to take a breath before he could continue.

"I saw two men, and they were talking about how they were going to take over the isle. That they wished to kill all the chieftains. They're traitors, are they not, Thane? Could you not hang them for trying to plan something like that?"

"Aye, they would be traitors to their country because King Robert sent us here in his name. Tell us exactly what you heard, lad," Maitland said, standing and taking two steps closer to Magni.

Alaric leaned forward, squeezing Eli's hand, just as the door banged open, making them all jump.

Magni took one look at the intruder and screamed, "That's him! That's the traitor!"