Black Richard's Heart (The MacCulloughs #1) - Suzan Tisdale Page 0,33

many times these past weeks, near our northern border.”

Until today, the Farquars had done naught more than appear near the border, looking menacing and hurling insults to the MacCullough men who patrolled the area. Although Black Richard had been anticipating an attack, he hadn’t thought they were foolish enough to attack an innocent farmer.

“Andrew, can ye tell me what happened?”

The boy nodded once and wiped his nose on his sleeve. “Da and I were tendin’ to the fields when we saw about ten men come over the hill. They was goin’ slow at first, as if they was just out for a ride.” His little blue eyes began to fill with tears as he recounted the events of the morn. But he braved through it, taking in a deep breath to fight back the tears. “Then of a sudden, one of them whistled, let out a war cry, and ’twas all a blur after that. They came ridin’ in to the field, swords drawn, shoutin’ and bellerin’ to beat the moon.”

Black Richard placed a comforting hand on the boy’s shoulder and urged him to continue.

“Mairi and Liza heard the ruckus and came runnin’ from our croft. The men saw them, my sisters. Three or four of them went ridin’ after them, whilst the others fought with da to keep him from gettin’ to them first.” A tear fell down his round cheek. “I do not ken what they did to Mairi,” he said, his voice cracking on unshed tears. “But one of them grabbed her and rode off while the others went after the cattle.”

Traigh shook his head, his eyes filled with sorrow and anger. “They made off with all three of Abel’s cattle. The lad says he could hear Mairi screamin’ as they rode away.”

This was the last thing they needed, today of all days. Letting loose a frustrated breath, he gave the lad’s shoulder a reassuring squeeze. “We will get Mairi back,” he told the boy. “Ye will stay here with Donald and me brothers for now.”

Lachlan and Rory had been quiet until then. “How many men do ye want to go with ye?” Lachlan asked.

Worried this could all be a ruse to leave the keep open for attack, Black Richard made a decision. “I want ye to stay here and protect the keep,” he told Lachlan. “Rory, ye will go with Traigh and I.”

Lachlan’s eyes grew wide. “Only three of ye?” he asked incredulously.

“Nay, I shall take five more men with us. But I need ye to stay here and protect me keep and wife. I do not ken if this be a ploy to get as many men away from the keep as possible.”

Lachlan understood then, his laird’s intentions and gave a nod of approval.

“I want everyone moved inside the keep,” Black Richard said. “Bring the animals into the bailey as well. Make sure everyone is armed and at the ready.”

“Shall I send word to our patrols as well?”

“Aye,” Black Richard replied. “I fear we may be on the verge of war.”

War was not a word to be used lightly. ’Twas an ugly word that made any Highland Chief worthy of his title to cringe with dread. The last thing Black Richard wanted at the moment was to be in a full out war with the Farquars. Or anyone else for that matter. His clan was simply not big enough or ready enough at the moment to declare war with their enemies.

But the taking of Mairi MacCullough was an action that could not be ignored.

The Farquars were the kind of clan who were always at the back of any fracas, cheering on whomever they believed would be the victor, or, whomever had paid them the most gold. Their allegiances were to those who paid. Treaties and oaths be damned.

For them to steal cattle was not a surprise, for they were well known to be thieves. However, for them to attack and take a prisoner was out of character in so far as they would not have done such a thing on their own. Nay, more likely than not they had been paid to do such by someone with plenty of coin to spare. ’Twas either the MacRays or the Chisolms who were truly behind these evil deeds.

Black Richard had known the treaty of peace with the MacRay wouldn’t last long. Something in his gut told him the MacRay was behind this attack. More likely than not, he had paid the Farquars to attack in order to