been to meet Gwen and the Laird of Ross and study the design of the castle and the outlying buildings. She’d done that.
Kenzie smiled. But she was also here to find out what had happened to Black Ben. What or who was it that had erased him from history and took his life, well before his old age?
She picked up a flat rock and faced the ocean, throwing it and watching as her attempt to make it skim across the top of the water failed. At Gwen and Braxton’s estate the enemy had made its presence known, had hit at Ben when he’d least expected it.
But at his own keep, there had been no sign of anyone trying to hurt him. No threats via his person or letter. Nothing. So, what had changed? If her memory served her correctly, it was late May that the Laird of Ross disappeared from the pages of history. A ghost that was never heard of again.
So, where were they? Or, were they already here…
The sounds of shouting caught her attention, and she looked back toward the castle, watching as a group of riders came up to the gate and dismounted. Was it Clan Grant? Athol had said at breakfast that her father was coming, but today! Surely not. Or, hopefully not.
Kenzie sat on the shore and let the lulling sounds of the lapping waves soothe her. Castle Ross had certainly been blessed with its position, such as it was.
Even with the beautiful location, it was written in history that an ugly situation was going to unfold here in the next few weeks. But who was behind Ben’s demise? After the many weeks of being near the laird, Kenzie’s stomach twisted at the thought that his life would be snuffed out. That his son, the sweet, adorable Alasdair would also disappear. As much as she’d thought the Grants were behind his death, could they kill their own grandchild? She didn’t think so, no matter how much they’d hated Aline’s attachment to the laird.
The castle had burned to the ground. Had the child been lost that way? The problem with unsolved Scottish mysteries was that no one knew. And if anyone did, they had never told a soul.
She sighed. Damn it, she didn’t want anything to happen to Ben or his boy. No one in their right mind would wish such a fate against another human being. So could she allow history to follow that course?
No.
There was no way in hell she’d allow history to repeat itself. She would stop anyone who thought to injure the laird and his child and damn the consequences. Ben deserved to live the remainder of his days here at Castle Ross, bringing up his boy and allowing the lad to inherit the castle as was his birthright.
No unknown, murdering bastard would win. Kenzie would make sure of that.
“Are ye alright, lass? Can I help ye with anything?”
Kenzie turned to see an elderly woman hobbling toward her on the rocky shore, and she stood, going toward her instead, lest she fall over and break a hip. Which in this time could mean certain death.
Coming up to the woman, she clasped her hand in welcome. “I’m Kenzie. I’m staying up at Castle Ross. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
The older woman’s eyes brightened at her words. “Oh, at the castle, aye. I’m the healer in these parts and know the laird well. I birthed the little bairn, did ye know.”
“I did know that,” Kenzie said, walking with the woman back toward the village. “The laird was very lucky to have you that night, considering what happened afterward.” Kenzie didn’t say anymore, as it was obvious to what she was referring, and the sadness that entered the healer’s eyes confirmed she was aware of what Kenzie meant.
“Aye, very sad. And it pains me that the laird left these parts for a time in trying to heal his heart. He may not have loved Lady Aline, but he cared for her a great deal.”
They walked into the small village. The homes, all different sizes with varying degrees of weathered thatched roofs, stretched out in front of them. Kenzie took the older woman’s arm. “Which one is your home? I’ll walk you back, if you like.”
“Oh, I’d like that very much, thank ye, Kenzie.”
Kenzie smiled, and they walked a little way on the rough dirt track that ran before the cottages facing the sea. “Have you lived here all your life?” she asked, curious. This