Chapter Thirty-Seven

Tamsin

Tamsin's stomach roiled as much as the landscape did as they approached MacQuarie Castle. It brought her back to the truth of what she had to deal with—that her daughter was being kept from her.

Walking into the Garvie manor home and demanding her daughter would only serve to get her locked in her chamber until Raghnall came to give her whatever punishment he considered appropriate for her transgression.

Refusing access to her child was a way for him to control her completely because he knew that Tamsin would never risk any harm coming to their daughter.

She had to find a way to steal her away from Raghnall. He had no interest in Alana and tried to kill Tamsin twice, so that was reason enough to steal her daughter away. If he knew of her crime, he would send the sheriff after her, but if he never knew what happened to Alana, he could hardly blame her.

If she were to guess, Raghnall probably believed Tamsin was dead. He'd left her to die.

She had to find a way to sneak in.

But first, they had to defend MacQuarie Castle from the attackers. She understood that.

As soon as the castle came into view, she glanced beyond it at the sea, the water not sparkling because of the clouds, the waves looking turbulent. It was a little rougher this day and she shivered, grateful this wasn't the day she'd been left to die. The waves would have been strong enough to push her under.

Alaric said, "Thane, go ready your men. You have a boat we can use to cross Loch Tuath? We will hide the boat and see what we can learn of Garvie's holding on the isle."

Eli added, "I'd love to see the area first. Great idea."

Thane nodded. "I'll have Artan take you over. He can show you what we learned. Before you go, Tamsin can add anything she would like you to check. I have no idea what buildings there are behind the gate, so she can fill you in with that information."

"I can draw a map for you in the sand. I think I know where the bairns are kept, but I'm not sure. I can go with you."

Alaric shook his head. "Nay, we do not wish to draw any attention, and I'm betting everyone on the isle knows who you are."

She blushed. "They do. You are right."

"Allow us a few hours to check out the landscape of the isle so we can make a plan for the morrow after we rid Thane of MacDougall's men."

That made sense to her. Actually, it pleased her because she wasn't ready to face Raghnall quite yet.

When they approached from the front of the castle, Artan led Alaric and Eli down to the water while Thane led Tamsin and his two guards through the small village in front. He'd left Brian at home with Mora.

It wasn't long before many came out to stare at Tamsin.

And the eyes were not kind. She snuck a peek at Thane to see if he'd noticed the glares, but he kept his eyes locked on the gates, crossing the bridge and leaving the village behind. Relieved to have the curious looks of the local women behind her, she kept her horse behind Thane the best she could because it comforted her to have him nearby.

Once they approached, the gates were lifted promptly, but one guard called out to him, "We are admitting the lass, Chief?"

"Aye. Special circumstances is all you need to know."

She glanced at him after this conversation caught her. "You don't allow women inside your wall?" That couldn't be what they meant, was it?

"Aye, it's an old rule of mine. Since I hated my mother, the only female I allow inside the walls is Mora." He didn't say another word.

Tamsin had a sudden understanding as to why the women glared at her. She was getting special treatment.

Once inside, he said to Mora, "Please have Agnes ready a chamber for Tamsin. She'll be here for a few days."

"Gladly. Tamsin, is this the first time you've been here? How are things at Duart Castle? Isn't the weather looking stormy? Where are Magni and Lia?"

Tamsin took her time and answered all Mora's questions, following her up the stairs. They were inside the bedchamber with the door open when she heard someone enter the hall. Mora continued to ramble, but Tamsin was drawn by the sounds coming from below.

A guard she didn't know asked, "Chief, you are allowing women in the castle now? May I invite my wife inside?"

"Bearnard, these are special times. We have heard of an impending attack happening this eve, so please go fetch all the women and bairns and bring them inside the hall. We'll place pallets about, and they'll be sleeping here. Your wife can sleep in the same chamber as Artan's family. We have one large chamber above stairs with multiple beds. You and Artan may have it for your families. The rest can sleep on pallets here in the hall."

"Attack? By whom?"

"Invite everyone in, but please keep the reason quiet for now. Tell them we're feeding them this eve. We have the smoked venison, plenty for all, along with bread sent by the Granthams. Once you've accomplished that, I'll explain the rest. I'm going to speak with our men on the wall."

"Aye, Chief."

Tamsin had a sudden inspiration. "Do you have a back staircase in case of an attack, Mora?"

"Aye, at the end of the hall. It will take you to the rear wall where the door to the outside is. I'm hoping they'll never get inside. Do you think they will? Did none of the Ramsays come along to help? How many are attacking? Exactly when?"

Tamsin did her best to answer Mora's questions, but she had to admit that she was preoccupied. She was not going to wait inside the great hall for all those women of the village to find their way in to glare at her.

She'd be leaving by the back gate. There was no reason to risk anyone else's life. As soon as Eli returned and told her what building her daughter was in, she'd make her escape and go after Alana herself.

She would save her daughter, even if Tamsin lost her life in the pursuit.