Highland Sparks (Clan Grant #5) (5 page)

“We don’t want any trouble,” the big man said. “You can have her. Let us go.”

“Can’t do it,” Logan said.

“Why not?” His gaze darted back and forth between Logan and Tomas.

“Because you touched my lass, and no one touches her.”

Logan flung his knife and Gwyneth’s heart stopped, hoping his aim was true. She didn’t feel so much as a rush of wind from the weapon before she heard a thud and bubbling sound. She let her breath out as soon as she saw the knife had landed between the dolt’s ribs. He released her and crumpled to the ground, his own knife dropping from his fingers. Gwyneth headed straight for the girls in the corner, her legs almost buckling underneath her.

Fingal screamed, “You killed my brother.” Gwyneth turned in time to see him pull out his own knife and attempt to stab Tomas, but Robbie’s knife landed in his body at the same time as Tomas pierced his neck.

Fingal fell to the ground, dead.

The girls were safe.

Chapter Six

Ashlyn yelled, “Gwyneth!” and rushed forward and jumped into her arms.

Gwyneth leaned down to grab Gracie too, but the wee one ran right past her straight into Robbie’s arms. He picked her up, and much to Gwyneth’s amazement, she wrapped her arms around his neck.

Gwyneth’s nose wrinkled and Ashlyn burst into tears. “We smell, Gwyneth. Other than changing Gracie’s raggies once a day, they wouldn’t allow us to clean ourselves. We are dirty. Mama would be so upset.”

Robbie said, “We don’t have time to clean you now, Ashlyn. We must leave.”

As if he hadn’t heard the other Highlander’s words, Logan passed a jug to Tomas and said, “Grab some water from the creek.”

“What in hellfire are you doing, Ramsay?” Robbie barked, his hands on his hips.

“My guess is you’re sending them north, aye? To your clan?”

“Aye. So how does that change the situation?”

“Weans do not like to be dirty and we have a long trip. The further we travel, the colder it will be for them. ‘Tis better here near the creek.” Logan winked at Gwyneth, whose arms were still wrapped around Ashlyn.

Robbie finally agreed and set Gracie down. He said to Gracie, “We need to clean you before we go. Then I promise to take you both away from here.”

Not long after, Tomas came in with the water. Gwyneth stared at the ewer, unsure of what to do next. She had been around Caralyn’s girls, but she had never bathed them…or any other weans, for that matter. Scratching her head in thought, she accepted the ewer when Tomas gave it to her so he and Robbie could drag the two bodies into the other room, out of the girls’ sight. She might be the only woman in the group, but what the devil did she know about washing weans?

She glanced at Logan, hoping for guidance. Ashlyn’s eyes misted and she whispered to Gwyneth. “Please? You don’t mind? Gracie doesn’t like to be dirty, and Mama hates it when we smell.”

Logan grabbed a big basin and took the water from Gwyneth to dump it inside. After Tomas and Robbie returned, he handed the three of them bowls and buckets and said. “More.”

Gwyneth ran out to the creek, happy to have a task she knew how to accomplish, one that didn’t involve washing the lassies. Robbie looked as relieved as she did as he stood next to her at the creek bank, leaning over to fill his jug.

By the time they returned, Logan had ripped strips of linen from Ashlyn’s shift and both girls were scrubbing their faces with his sliver of soap. He dumped the buckets of cool water into a large bowl, took Gracie’s gown and rag off, picked her up under her arms and said, “Ready, lass?” Gracie nodded, and Logan dipped her bottom into the water and swirled her around in it. She yelped and giggled as they all stared at her.

Gwyneth had never heard Gracie laugh or talk before, yet here she was giggling with Ramsay. The little one trusted these Highlanders…more than Gwyneth was yet willing to do. When Logan finished bathing Gracie, he took her out of the water and handed her to Gwyneth with another linen strip. “Dry her.” Then he turned his back, held his plaid out to the side, and said to Ashlyn, “There’s another basin of fresh water. Go ahead and do what you need to, lass. We won’t watch. Gwyneth can help if you need.”

Gwyneth was speechless. The beast was wonderful with the bairns. And they both seemed to like him. She stared at the brawny Highlander in shock. Men usually did not have the patience to be good with bairns.

Logan glanced at her. “What?”

Robbie laughed. “You have talents even I didn’t expect, Ramsay.”

“I told you I have a niece, but I also have a nephew, and both were sickly with no mother. I learned how to care for them. ‘Tis not so difficult.” He glanced at Gwyneth as he spoke.

When Ashlyn finished, they headed out to the horses. Ashlyn rode with Tomas and Gracie with Robbie. Gwyneth climbed on the horse with Ramsay again, but this time she didn’t object. The brute had proven trustworthy thus far. They headed north and outside of town.

Gwyneth leaned back against Logan. He didn’t seem to mind and tugged her tighter to him. She should have eaten before leaving the priory so she wouldn’t have weakened as she had. Going from one trying experience to the next had exhausted her. She closed her eyes, visions of a brawny Highlander filling her mind. Had he meant what he said? Did he consider her to be his?

Having been so sheltered at the Kirk with her brother, she had never given any thought to a relationship with a man. All her time had been spent working as a spy for Dougal Hamilton and focusing on vengeance for her father and brother. The thought of a relationship with a man never occurred to her. Since her mother had died young, she had naught to guide her.

The next thing she knew, Logan was shaking her arm.

“Lass, wake up.” His breath warmed her ear and a foreign heat washed through her.

She sat forward and glanced over her shoulder at him. “My apologies, brute.”

“No need to apologize. I don’t know how you held up in the cottage after all you’ve been through.”

“Where are we?” Gwyneth scanned the area, but didn’t recognize it.

“We need to regroup and decide what our next step is. Robbie found a hidden clearing. We aren’t far from the town.” Logan dismounted and helped her off the horse. Ashlyn ran to her and grabbed her hand as they gathered on a group of logs.

“Hellfire, Grant. I thought we’d go back to the priory to find Caralyn,” Gwyneth said.

“Nay, ‘tis after dark and she would be with Murray by now. He still controls her.” He pulled both girls over to him and spoke directly to them. “Lassies, I know you wish to see your mama, but ‘twould not be safe for now.”

Ashlyn’s head fell, and her shoulders slumped. “Can you get her away from Malcolm, Captain Grant?” She swiped at the tears on her cheeks. “We don’t like him.”

Two wee faces stared up at him, and Gwyneth’s heart broke at the mere sight of them. Somehow, she believed without a doubt Robbie Grant would save her friend, but how did you convince two weans they had to go away from their mother to be out of danger?

“That is exactly what I plan to do, Ashlyn, but I need to make sure you two are safe so he can’t come and steal you away again. Your mama is forced to do what he wants when he holds you away from her. Do you understand?”

Ashlyn nodded. “I think so. I always hear him tell mama he will hurt us, and he did paddle us both once while mama screamed and cried. She told him she would do whatever he wanted as long as he stopped hurting us. I don’t want to go back with him ever again. Where will you hide us?”

“I am going to send you to a wonderful place, but ‘twill take a while for you to get there, so I need you both to be strong. And you won’t see your mama for a wee bit, but everyone there will love you both and take care of you, and I promise we’ll join you soon. There will be other weans for you to play with, but most of all, I know you will be safe.”

“Where is that?” Ashlyn stared at him, wide-eyed. “We have never played with other weans.”

“I am sending you to my clan. You’re going into the Highlands to the Grant keep, a big castle with lots of nice people to love and care for you.”

God bless him, but Captain Robbie Grant was going to take care of Caralyn and her daughters. Gwyneth almost got teary-eyed at the realization that dear Caralyn’s nightmares would finally be over. In a way, she wished the same could happen to her. Grant was a good man.

“Will Mama come, too?” Ashlyn asked.

“Aye, as soon as I rescue your mama, I’ll bring her to you.”

“Can we not wait for you?” Ashlyn whispered.

“Nay, Malcolm will try to find you again. I need you away from here. I’m sorry, lass, but ‘tis the only way.” He patted her on the back, and Ashlyn gave him a brief smile.

Ashlyn pondered what he’d said, then nodded. She grabbed Gracie’s hand. “As long as we go together.”

“Aye, you’ll go together.”

“How will we get there?” She chewed her lip as she glanced at the group around her.

“Logan and Gwyneth will take you. Tomas and I will find your mama.”

Gwyneth made a strangling sound in her throat. Holy heaven! What was he thinking? No way could she travel through the Highlands with Logan Ramsay. Besides, she had a mission to complete…one that required her to stay right where she was. But she refused to say anything in front of the girls. She didn’t want them to think her refusal was because of
them
.

Ashlyn peered up at her. “Gwyneth, you’ll go with us? Please?”

Gwyneth nodded. At the same time, she gave Robbie a hard look to get his attention. He clearly noticed, because a moment later, he said, “Tomas, take the girls and find them some oatcakes. Lassies? You’re hungry, are you not?” Both nodded and followed Tomas over to the horses.

As soon as they were out of ear shot, Gwyneth edged up to him, not stopping until she was a mere inch from his nose. “You can’t mean it. I will
not
travel with that lout.”

“Gwyneth, I am trying to do what is the best for the lassies. I need people I trust to travel with them through the Highlands, which is not going to be an easy trip this time of the year. I have four other guards I’ll send with you as protection.”

It would force her to wait to wreak her revenge, but she wanted the wee ones safe as much as he did. She pondered what he said and decided it was a sacrifice she was willing to make.

“Fine, then send Tomas with us. Logan can stay here.” Anyone, anyone but Logan would be acceptable. The man was exhausting. And she didn’t like the way he made her feel.

Robbie glanced over her shoulder, and when Gwyneth turned to follow his gaze, she saw Logan standing there, his arms crossed and a smirk on his face.

“Nay, Logan knows the Highlands the best of anyone I know, and he’s the foremost tracker, too. I would feel better if he was with you. He won’t just lead the group, but also track ahead and make sure no one is in the area. Traveling with two bairns is too much of a risk. There are wild boars and wolves. You will protect the lasses while Logan leads, tracks, and kills when necessary.”

“But I have never been to the Highlands. I don’t want to go that far north. ‘Tis freezing up there.” She swung her arms wide as she rambled, frantic to find a different solution, even though she knew this was the right thing to do for the girls.

“Didn’t you tell me you are good with a bow and arrows?” Robbie asked.

“Aye, I am, but…”

“Then you can help find food, too. See how thin Ashlyn is? Surely they haven’t been fed much, and Ashlyn gives Gracie her share of whatever food they are given. I need you to go and watch over both of them. ‘Twill not be an easy journey, and the girls need you. And I think Caralyn will feel better if she knows you’re with them. I am asking you to put your problems with Logan aside for the lassies. Once there, you can do whatever you like, but I am sure Caralyn would appreciate it if you wait until she arrives before you take your leave, and I think the girls will feel safer with you around.”

Everything he said made sense, and she could brook no argument. She looked back at Logan again, her hands on her hips.

Robbie tried his best to convince her. “Lass, I think you might like the Highlands. ‘Tis beautiful land, and you may stay as long as you like at the Grant clan. We’ll reward you when I arrive. Take a trip to our armory, find new weapons for your arsenal. I’ll pay you in wool garments for the winter. Whatever your needs, let me know.”

Logan sighed, the smirk leaving his face. “Lass, I have pledged it before, and I’ll do so again—you have my word of honor on the Ramsay clan that I won’t touch you unless you ask. I will control my banter for the girls’ sake. I think Ashlyn will feel more comfortable riding with you.”

He then strode over to his horse and pulled out one of his plaids. “Here, you can wear this when you get cold, and it
will
be cold, especially at night.”

She stared at Logan, and then walked over to take the plaid he offered, throwing it over her shoulders and tying it in a tangled mess around her waist. “Lord, give me strength. Grant, I need to borrow your horse for a bit before we go to alert my family of my plans.” She strode into the trees before she yelled over her shoulder. “I’ll need my own horse, and I’m not your lass, Ramsay.”

She heard Logan’s previous comment.

“You are now, with my plaid on you.”

He could think what he wanted. She was
not
his lass, regardless of the Highland custom of claiming a lass by giving her your plaid. She had heard his declaration before he had stabbed her captor, but she was sure he had been saying it for effect. Gwyneth chuckled. She accepted his plaid because she knew it would keep her warm during their journey, not for any other reason. He could believe whatever he wanted.

***

She had two important stops before she could leave—she had to see her brother and she had to see her boss, Dougal Hamilton.

She stopped at the Kirk first, and her brother threw his arms around her in a fierce hug, so relieved to see she was safe that he cried. He’d feared her dead when she disappeared without a trace.

He tugged her into their small living area in the back of the church and sat down with her at the table. Gwyneth’s story flew out, and he quietly listened, making a comment every now and again, mopping his brow as she spoke, but allowing her to share her story.