had reached the Cairngorms to the east. Some said that must be the Lord of the North because he preferred the higher route to the less demanding one through Glen Garry, knowing well that the formidable, icy passes discouraged pursuit from the south. Others suggested that the army might be that of the King of Scots.
Fin was sure that it was Rothesay, and that the Mackintosh was aware of the approaching army. But the old man had not expressed the irritation, if not outright anger, that he would surely feel to learn that Rothesay had ignored his wishes.
In an area where most people traveled afoot or on small Highland ponies, it surprised him that news of the army had reached them so far ahead of the army itself until he recalled how fiercely all Highlanders thirsted for news. Mendicant friars were welcomed everywhere simply because they brought news from elsewhere.
On Friday afternoon, Fin walked with Catriona to the north end of the island, which had become their favorite stroll. When they turned back, Boreas ranged ahead of them as usual until they emerged from the woods. Then, halting suddenly, the dog fixed its gaze on a point some distance out in the loch.
Fin stopped what he was saying midsentence. “What does he see, lass?”
Before she could answer, Boreas dashed into the water and swam toward whatever had caught his eye. Fin could see that something was out there, roiling the surface, but it was not large enough for him to guess what it might be.
When Boreas plunged his head underwater and flung it back upward, he had something in his mouth.
Catriona said, “It looks as if he found clothing or—Sakes, what can it be?”
When the dog emerged from the water, Fin saw that what it carried was a cloth sack that writhed furiously and emitted frantic squeaks.
Boreas set the sack gently on the ground and began to nose it, as if hoping it would open, only to rear back abruptly with a surprised yelp when it did.
Loudly hissing, a small feline head pushed through the opening of the sack.
Catriona knelt and jerked the sack open. Three gray kittens spilled out, the one still hissing angrily. The others scampered toward the open gate, and Fin grinned when both of them darted away to avoid a man-at-arms running toward them.
“Stop, Aodán!” Catriona shouted. “What are you doing?”
“I thought I were drowning kittens for the cook, m’lady. I dinna ken how them wee rascals got ashore again.”
In a blink, Catriona was on her feet, and watching her, Fin decided that she needed only a lightning bolt in each hand to match any mythical Fury.
“That was cruel!” she said, confronting Aodán. “If the kittens cannot lap and no one wants them, you must drown them, to be sure. But not by flinging them into the loch to drown in terror. Use a pail next time, sirrah, and bury them decently.”
“I’ll have to catch them first, m’lady,” Aodán said, turning away.
Boreas stepped in front of him, growling.
“Nay, let them be,” Catriona said. “Those three will not suffer again. They do look big enough to lap, so tell Tadhg to find people willing to take them, but do not ever do such a thing again. Just imagine how terrified they must have been!”
Aodán looked at Fin, the look of one helpless male to another. But Fin was struggling to conceal his amusement and shifted his gaze back to Boreas.
The dog continued to take stern interest in the hapless man-at-arms.
Fin had never had to drown kittens, but he did know how easily a few could turn into hundreds of hungry cats on any estate, let alone on an island. The lass would not thank him for any comment he might make, however, so he held his peace.
Catriona, still angry, said, “Go now, Aodán, and tell Tadhg he must put out food for them until he finds good homes for them. He can ask amongst our people in the hills. Tell him to say that I will count such adoption as a boon to me.”
“Aye, m’lady, I’ll see to it,” Aodán said, hastily making good his escape.
Catriona turned toward Fin then, her eyes still afire. “You!”
“Nay, now, don’t fly at me,” he said. “I had nowt to do with any of that.”
“You thought it was funny!”
“Nay, now…” Seeing her lips tighten, he said, “Aye, well, in troth I did. The dog stepping forward to halt the man nearly did finish me off. Look yonder now,” he added with