Read Online Journey to the Highlands: Robbie and Caralyn (Clan Grant Series Book 4) by Keira Montclair - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Keira Montclair
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heartbeat increasing while he struggled to maintain a calm exterior.
The two men nodded while Dundonald offered a quick bow and stepped away. Now was his chance. Perhaps they knew something of the blackguard who’d kidnapped Caralyn. “What do you know of a merchant named Malcolm Murray?”
Tomas gave him a pointed look before turning his attention back to their companions.
Robbie carefully assessed both men for any reaction to the name. Both of them looked uncertain at first, but recognition soon dawned on the baron’s face. “Murray, you say? I think I have heard of the name. Why…Och, nay.” He and Lord Montgomery exchanged a knowing look.
Robbie had to know more, as much as they could tell him. “Gentlemen? I’m asking a favor. Please tell me what you know. He is nae friend of mine. I am seeking information only.”
Lord Montgomery nodded. “Malcolm Murray does claim to be a merchant and he is a wealthy man, but—” he cleared his throat before continuing, “—his business is questionable. That’s all I can offer.”
“Does he reside in Glasgow?”
“Aye, at a small keep at the edge of town.”
Robbie nodded. “My thanks.”
“Och, the pleasure has been ours, lads. We appreciate all you did to put an end to this nonsense with King Haakon of Norway. Time to return to normal business. Captain.” Lord Montgomery clasped Robbie’s shoulder before moving on to another group of men.
Robbie turned to Tomas. “There you have it. We need to find his keep, then I will have the answer to my questions.”
“Aye,” Tomas said. “Let’s just hope he doesn’t maintain many guards around his keep.”
The festivities picked up as more Scots continued to file into the great hall. Minstrels wandered about, making their way through the mass and entertaining guests at will. Lasses serving food from small trays made their way around the periphery of the large chamber. Robbie grabbed a chunk of brown bread from a tray and started chewing.
“Tomas, there must be many men here who know Glasgow well. We just need to find the right ones and question them.” He paused for a swig of ale.
“You may not need to do that,” Tomas said.
“What?” Robbie froze as a strange feeling crept up his neck. Tomas nodded his head to their left.
Robbie turned his head, and there he was. Malcolm Murray strutted like a peacock, his arm gripping someone behind him. Robbie couldn’t see her face yet, but he knew who it was—Caralyn. He recognized those silky threads of dark hair, those luscious curves. He would know her anywhere.
She turned and caught his gaze, blushing instantly and turning her head as fast as she could. Why? What had he done to make her deny him?
He didn’t have to wait long for his answer. As soon as Murray spotted him, he made his way through the crowd and headed straight for him. He tugged Caralyn in front of him, one hand grasping her wrist, the other on her waist.
“Captain Grant, I would like you to meet my wife, Catriona.”
Robbie could do naught but nod. “My lady.” He wanted her to look at him, but she refused, keeping her eyes determinedly cast downward. Murray squeezed her waist. “Speak to the captain, love.”
Caralyn kept her eyes down, but whispered, “Greetings, Captain.”
Robbie didn’t hesitate. “Greetings, Catriona.” He dragged out her name as if to remind her of her lie. In the space of a few seconds, memories of their night together filled his senses, the feel of her body against his, of her soft skin beneath his caress. Her light scent teased him. Her passion had known no bounds, but now she couldn’t even bring herself to look at him. Somehow, the name Caralyn fit her much better than Catriona. Glancing at Murray again, he said, “And how are your two daughters? What did you say their names were again?”
“I didn’t. They’re fine.”
Robbie persisted. “Aline, Alison, Ashley…”
“Ashlyn.” Caralyn blurted out her daughter’s name, but then
The two men nodded while Dundonald offered a quick bow and stepped away. Now was his chance. Perhaps they knew something of the blackguard who’d kidnapped Caralyn. “What do you know of a merchant named Malcolm Murray?”
Tomas gave him a pointed look before turning his attention back to their companions.
Robbie carefully assessed both men for any reaction to the name. Both of them looked uncertain at first, but recognition soon dawned on the baron’s face. “Murray, you say? I think I have heard of the name. Why…Och, nay.” He and Lord Montgomery exchanged a knowing look.
Robbie had to know more, as much as they could tell him. “Gentlemen? I’m asking a favor. Please tell me what you know. He is nae friend of mine. I am seeking information only.”
Lord Montgomery nodded. “Malcolm Murray does claim to be a merchant and he is a wealthy man, but—” he cleared his throat before continuing, “—his business is questionable. That’s all I can offer.”
“Does he reside in Glasgow?”
“Aye, at a small keep at the edge of town.”
Robbie nodded. “My thanks.”
“Och, the pleasure has been ours, lads. We appreciate all you did to put an end to this nonsense with King Haakon of Norway. Time to return to normal business. Captain.” Lord Montgomery clasped Robbie’s shoulder before moving on to another group of men.
Robbie turned to Tomas. “There you have it. We need to find his keep, then I will have the answer to my questions.”
“Aye,” Tomas said. “Let’s just hope he doesn’t maintain many guards around his keep.”
The festivities picked up as more Scots continued to file into the great hall. Minstrels wandered about, making their way through the mass and entertaining guests at will. Lasses serving food from small trays made their way around the periphery of the large chamber. Robbie grabbed a chunk of brown bread from a tray and started chewing.
“Tomas, there must be many men here who know Glasgow well. We just need to find the right ones and question them.” He paused for a swig of ale.
“You may not need to do that,” Tomas said.
“What?” Robbie froze as a strange feeling crept up his neck. Tomas nodded his head to their left.
Robbie turned his head, and there he was. Malcolm Murray strutted like a peacock, his arm gripping someone behind him. Robbie couldn’t see her face yet, but he knew who it was—Caralyn. He recognized those silky threads of dark hair, those luscious curves. He would know her anywhere.
She turned and caught his gaze, blushing instantly and turning her head as fast as she could. Why? What had he done to make her deny him?
He didn’t have to wait long for his answer. As soon as Murray spotted him, he made his way through the crowd and headed straight for him. He tugged Caralyn in front of him, one hand grasping her wrist, the other on her waist.
“Captain Grant, I would like you to meet my wife, Catriona.”
Robbie could do naught but nod. “My lady.” He wanted her to look at him, but she refused, keeping her eyes determinedly cast downward. Murray squeezed her waist. “Speak to the captain, love.”
Caralyn kept her eyes down, but whispered, “Greetings, Captain.”
Robbie didn’t hesitate. “Greetings, Catriona.” He dragged out her name as if to remind her of her lie. In the space of a few seconds, memories of their night together filled his senses, the feel of her body against his, of her soft skin beneath his caress. Her light scent teased him. Her passion had known no bounds, but now she couldn’t even bring herself to look at him. Somehow, the name Caralyn fit her much better than Catriona. Glancing at Murray again, he said, “And how are your two daughters? What did you say their names were again?”
“I didn’t. They’re fine.”
Robbie persisted. “Aline, Alison, Ashley…”
“Ashlyn.” Caralyn blurted out her daughter’s name, but then
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