Highlander Most Wanted Page 0,17

with his booming voice and dark scowl.

“ ’Tis no worry of mine what you call yourself,” Bowen said, when calm had once more been restored. “If the McHugh name is one you’re proud to wear and is something you want to preserve for your children, then ’tis your right to do so.”

“In time, will Graeme Montgomery allow us to elect our own laird? One that bears our name?” one of the older McHugh men asked.

“I cannot speak as to what my brother will decide,” Bowen said. “Right now, I am your laird and ’tis me you’ll obey or suffer the consequences. Later, Graeme may well decide on a McHugh to be laird of this clan, but ’tis too early to be thinking of such things.”

There were a few grumbles from the crowd, but most of the clansmen nodded and Bowen heard murmurs of “ ’Tis fair enough.”

Bowen squared his shoulders in preparation for a busy afternoon.

“I’ll be coming around to each of you to discuss your current tasks and your role in this clan. I have no desire to upend your lives any more than necessary. My task was to avenge my laird’s wife, and now that Patrick McHugh has removed himself from this keep I see no reason for his clan to suffer for his sins.”

Again there were looks of surprise and appreciation on the faces of the McHughs. It was obvious they’d expected much worse, and, in truth, had Patrick stayed behind, things likely would have been made much worse.

Patrick was a coward of the worst sort, but in this matter he’d spared his clan much grief by slinking away like a dog with his tail betwixt his legs.

As soon as Bowen settled matters with the McHugh clan, there was still the matter of Patrick to deal with. Graeme wouldn’t be satisfied to allow the man to simply escape. Bowen would need to consult with his brother and determine their course. Patrick would need to be hunted and held accountable for his actions. And for the theft of his clan’s riches.

It surprised him that there wasn’t more animosity from the McHugh clan over their laird’s defection. In their place, Bowen would have led the hunt to bring Patrick back to face punishment from his own clansmen.

“Be excused to go about your duties,” Bowen said, waving his hand in dismissal. “I’ll be around to meet individually with you as soon as matters are settled with my brother and our men.”

Bowen, Teague, Brodie, and Aiden stood back as the McHugh people slowly filtered from the courtyard, their expressions dubious as they considered their fate.

“ ’Tis more than we bargained for,” Teague said in a low voice.

Bowen nodded. “Aye. But we cannot leave them to fend for themselves. It would invite attack from another clan seeking to add to their land and power. As soon as word gets out that Patrick has deserted his clan, the vultures will start circling. ’Tis important that we establish a strong presence here.”

“I will be glad to remain behind with you and help in this matter,” Brodie said, anticipation gleaming in his eyes.

The oldest Armstrong son seemed to savor the challenge, and if Bowen was honest he, too, was keen to exert his authority and leadership here, away from his own keep, where he served his brother.

Not that he wasn’t being dutiful to his brother by serving him in this capacity. Graeme was his laird, and Bowen owed both Graeme and Eveline his absolute loyalty. But this was an opportunity that he looked forward to. No situation here was beyond his abilities or those of his men.

“I’ll be glad to have your aid,” Bowen said with genuine warmth.

It was a new dawn in the history of both the Montgomery and the Armstrong clans. One made possible by the marriage of Graeme and Eveline, a marriage once viewed with hostility and resentment on both sides.

Never before had the clans worked together or even tolerated each other’s presence. And yet now they were allying in the common goal of eliminating the threat to both their clans.

CHAPTER 8

Bowen listened patiently, Brodie at his side, as two elder McHugh men explained their duties and the holes that had been left by those who’d chosen to leave either with Patrick or after his departure to seek their own way.

It was clear in their voices the disdain felt for both their former laird and for the clansmen who’d departed willingly.

Bowen had toured the keep, speaking with men and women alike as