on their own clan’s land…”
“What do the Gunns want?”
She shook her head. “They havenae said. We had some trouble with them mayhap five years past, about the rights to the water in a spring that bisects both our lands. But the matter was settled long ago without further issue.”
Gregor shifted in his saddle. “But memories and grudges are long in the Highlands.”
Lady Roberta made a noise that was surprisingly close to an unladylike snort. “Indeed.” She turned to him again, and he found himself held captive by her shrewd gaze. “That is why I need ye.”
Those words—I need ye—made Gregor’s hands tighten on his reins. He swallowed, scanning the landscape once more, but not truly seeing it.
“I am no diplomat, my lady,” Gregor said, his voice coming out low and a hair too tight for his liking.
When he glanced at her again, a faint quirk lifted her lips.
“Aye, I ken. But I didnae go to the Caithness Games seeking a diplomat. I’d intended to lure a few of the winners from the feats of strength to my aid. Yet it was apparent in the alehouse that ye are worth at least ten warriors.”
Of course she wanted him for his brute strength. Gregor was good for little else than fighting. He was neither clever nor charismatic, but he was stronger than an ox, and knew how to use his size and might to his advantage.
It had been the way of things, the nature of Gregor’s life, since that terrible, fateful night when he’d lifted his fists with the intent to hurt another for the first time. He could accept it, but it didn’t mean he had to like it.
He cleared his throat. “If it is a matter of some misunderstanding or a dispute, mayhap it ought to be settled between yer clans.”
Her brows lowered, and her soft mouth firmed. He was beginning to recognize that as the telltale sign of her stubbornness emerging.
“And what of my people’s wellbeing and safety until such a time as we ken peace?” she asked. “I want Morgan lands, and our people, to be protected, and these raids and attacks stopped. I believe ye can help us with that.”
“How exactly do ye think I can help?”
His gaze snagged on her mouth when she chewed on the corner of her lip before answering.
“I dinnae have a great depth of knowledge when it comes to martial matters. Ye’ll have to work with our captain of the guard, Lamond, to make a plan. But what I am sure of is that ye are the best warrior in the Highlands. I have every faith in yer ability to solve this problem.”
Gregor remained silent for a long moment. Unexpected admiration for the lass welled up inside him. She was a woman, a lady, yet she bore her clan’s burdens as if she were Laird herself. She’d ridden to the Caithness Games, alone except for a handful of guards, to enlist as many men as she could to her cause.
In a way, she wasn’t so different from him, except that she’d used her wits to get what she wanted, whereas he only knew how to use his fists.
“I’ll help in any way I can,” he said at last.
He was rewarded with a warm smile that made his stomach clench.
“But ken that I mean to handle this dispute as swiftly as possible, even if ye dinnae approve of my methods,” he added—mayhap more for his own benefit than for hers. “I have my own business to return to once I see my obligation to ye through.”
She cast him a curious look. “Aye. About that—what were ye doing, fighting all those men? They say ye are forming an army of those ye best.”
“They are correct.”
When he didn’t elaborate, she pursed her lips and lifted a brow at him. “But why? What is this mission ye are so eager to return to?”
He weighed his answer before responding.
This deep into the Highlands, he could be sure of two things. First, that nearly every last clan supported Robert the Bruce, and therefore the Bruce’s heir, King David II. Though David was but a bairn of eight, Highlanders had already died defending his right to the throne over the Usurper King, Edward Balliol.
And second, that Balliol wouldn’t dare venture so far into hostile territory as to pose an immediate threat to Gregor—or Lady Roberta. Aye, Gregor would be hunted in the Lowlands for escaping Balliol’s noose, but here in the farthest corner of the Highlands, he was safe.
“I’m