Read Online When a Laird Takes a Lady: A Claimed by the Highlander Novel by Rowan Keats - Free Book Online

“Well, you’d best work quickly. MacPherson has stepped up his patrols this past sennight, reaching farther and farther up the glen. It’s only a matter of time before they find us.”
    “And only a few short days before the king announces a new lord of Dunstoras.”
    His brother grimaced. “I hope to God it’s not MacPherson. The man is a layabout. Not once has he been spied sharpening his skills in the lists or even walking the ramparts. He sits in the castle and eats. Nothing more. Dunstoras deserves better.”
    Aiden glared at the other man. “None but a MacCurran will rule Dunstoras. If necessary, we’ll retake the keep by force.”
    Niall said nothing.
    Both men were well aware that they had less than three dozen trained men at their disposal, compared to MacPherson’s two hundred. Thecastle had been taken while Aiden was locked in Lochurkie’s dungeon and Niall had been preparing to set him free. Numerous good men had died defending the keep, including the seneschal and the castle’s senior man-at-arms.
    Taking it back would likely be a vain cause.
    Still, Aiden could not let Dunstoras go without a serious fight. His father had built that castle stone by stone, some days with his own hands. Aiden had been born inside those walls, his father had died inside those walls, and his mother had—
    “Where is my mother?” he asked, glancing about.
    Niall grimaced. “Why ask me?”
    “Because you know everything that happens in this camp,” Aiden pointed out.
    “I’ve given my oath to protect all who dwell here,” Niall said, with a short nod. “But that doesn’t include putting myself in range of Lady Elisaid’s venomous barbs.”
    Aiden’s mother had a longstanding grievance with Niall—he was the baseborn son of her husband, brought by him to live under her roof. Aiden’s father had also praised Niall’s prowess as a warrior to her face several times while implying that
her
son was a weak-willed incompetent. Untrue, of course, but Aiden’s father believed that strong competition would make both his sons better men.
    But Niall’s troubles with Lady Elisaid would never interfere with his duty. Aiden was confident he kept tabs on his mother . . . if only to know where
not
to wander.
    “Where is she?” he asked again.
    “Down by the burn with Master Tam.”
    * * *
    Aiden left the camp enclosure, descended the rocky slope, and crossed the rock-studded field to the edge of the burn, wet snow accumulating on the toes of his boots.
    His mother was enjoying a leisurely stroll in the late-afternoon sunshine. Refusing to give up any of the amenities of her station, despite their current outlawed state, she insisted on a full entourage as she walked about—Master Tam held her arm and engaged her in conversation, two maids followed behind carrying the hem of her cloak, and two young pages brought up the rear, carting a flagon of wine and some refreshments.
    “Aiden,” his mother exclaimed with a smile. “You’ve returned. Have you secured the ownership of Dunstoras? May we now return to our rightful place?”
    He took her proffered hand and brushed a kiss over her knuckles. “Nay. We are still outlaws.”
    She pouted. “This abode is unacceptable. Your father built me a stone castle; I expect no less of you.”
    “You waited years for that stone castle,” he reminded her. “You must be equally patient now. How do we fare for stores and supplies? Are we running short?”
    “Why ask me?” His mother waved a hand. “The seneschal is taking care of those details.”
    Aiden frowned. “The seneschal died during thesiege, Mother. You were going to appoint a new one. Have you done that?”
    “No,” she said, “Nor will I, not until we are settled once more in the castle. When can we return?”
    “Perhaps never,” he told her honestly. “Manage this camp like it is our true holding. If we are to survive the remains of winter, we must carefully oversee the distribution of our supplies.”
    A