"Aye, Margaret," said Diarmot. "I will explain it all to ye later. Right now I need to find a way to get to my foolish wife."
"I ken where she is, Papa," said Odo, gazing up at Diarmot. "I followed." He cast a wary glance at Fraser.
"We will discuss why ye are a naughty wee lad later," said Fraser.
"Where did your mama go, lad?" Diarmot asked Odo.
"To that wee house where ye got stuck under the bed," Odo replied.
"Did ye follow her all the way there and then come home verra fast?"
"Aye, Papa. I came home verra, verra fast."
Diarmot crouched down in front of the boy, hugged him, then held him by his small shoulders. "Think hard, lad. Were there any men outside, guards like we have here at Clachthrom?"
"Nay, Papa. There was no one about. Mama walked right up to the cottage.
There wasnae e'en a mon at the door. Then the lady opened the door and Mama went inside. It was that lady ye were going to marry before Mama came home, Papa. Why does she want to hurt Mama, Alice, and the bairns? Is it because ye chose Mama instead of her?"
"That is some of it, my brave lad. If ye still have questions, ye may ask me later. After I have brought your mama and the others home." He kissed Odo on the cheek, then gently pushed him toward Fraser. "Ye were wrong to run off on your own, lad, and we will have to talk about that, too," he said as he stood up.
"But, ye did weel, my wee knight." He looked at Gay. "Are ye verra sure it was Geordie?"
"Aye, m'laird," replied Gay. "He wore a mask, but, aye, twas Geordie. What I felt was certain was confirmed by what Ilsa had just seen. She followed Geordie when he slipped away from Clachthrom. He went to that cottage and met with that woman. Tis certain now they were confirming their plans to take the bairns, but Ilsa was on foot. Thinking it had just been some lover's tryst, she didnae hurry home and was cursing herself for that."
"Jesu, doesnae anyone in this family stay where they are put?" cried Nanty.
"I leave for but a few hours and ye are all running about the lands alone and unguarded."
"It makes one wonder if that maid's body was meant to be found now, meant to draw ye away from Clachthrom," said Diarmot.
Nanty shivered. "She had obviously been dead since the day she went missing or soon after. I cannae conceive of anyone wanting to carry that around."
"It worked." Diarmot looked at Sigimor. "We will need fresh horses, I think."
"I will fetch them," Nanty said and, with Tom's help, led away the weary horses Diarmot and the Camerons had ridden in on.
Sigimor watched the women take Odo back into the keep. "If ye e'er want to foster that lad out for a wee while, I would be proud to take him in. Dinnae believe in sending the bairns off to someone else for near all their life, but some of them are served weel for a wee bit of training elsewhere."
Diarmot stared at Sigimor for a moment. "Arenae ye e'en a wee bit worried about Ilsa?"
"More than a wee bit. Tis why I talk about other things." He shrugged. "It helps keep the bloodlust from getting too strong. Mon cannae think clear when that happens."
Somerled nodded. "And when one thinks clear, one recalls that our Ilsa isnae some sweet, shy lady who thinks a knife is only to eat with. She is a Cameron.
She willnae let them hurt her or the bairns without shedding some blood herself."
"Margaret may be easily defeated," said Diarmot, "but Geordie is a big mon."
"So are ye, but she knocked ye on your arse," said Tait.
"Ilsa is also clever and has dealt with men bigger and stronger than her for her whole life," said Somerled. "Ye dinnae think she survived all of us by being sweet and smiling prettily, did ye? Aye, the lass is in danger, nay doubt about it, and it isnae certain she can win this fight. But, I promise ye, she went there armed, she plotted every step of the way, and she will be watching close for a weakness. I am fair certain these enemies of yours already have one verra serious weakness."
"And what would that be?" asked Diarmot.
"All they see when they look at our Ilsa is a wee lass who could probably be blown away in a strong wind."
Somerled and his brothers were right, Diarmot thought, and felt his fears ease back just a little, enough for him to pull forth the strength and clear head he would need. Ilsa was slender, delicate, yet strong. He had felt the strength in that lithe body often enough. She was clever and would understand the need of a clear head and a steady hand. Her love for the children and her need to keep them safe would also make her a force to be reckoned with. All Ilsa would need was for Geordie and Margaret to make a few simple mistakes and there was a very good chance she would survive this.
CHAPTER TWENTY
"Weel, ye have already made one serious error, Precious Love," Ilsa said, gently nudging the children back until they were behind her, pressed against the wall.
"Have I?" Margaret glanced at the sword in her hand, then smiled at Ilsa.
"What would that be?"
"Ye killed the only real threat to me."
"Ye dinnae see this weapon as a threat?"