One & Only by Kara Griffin Read Free Book Online Page B

face turned red and he
appeared chagrined by their questioning. The MacHeths were the most hated clan
by the Gunns and the lad looked to be holding something back. Grey motioned for
him to speak by waving his hand, beckoning him to be forthcoming.
    “I was told the lass is from the
border area. She is traveling to MacHeth land even now. My cousin told me she
carries great wealth.”
    Greer hooted with laughter. “You
hear that? The lass has great wealth. She is what is of value, lad. But Laird,
you won’t let that son-of-a-whoremonger have the wealth will ye?”
    “What say you, Laird?” Duff asked,
raising an inquisitive brow.
    “To what?” Grey knew exactly what
Duff was asking. He couldn’t let any poor lass end up with the dastardly
MacHeth. She’d be going to the son of the devil who preyed on the young and
innocent.
    His guard stared at him, waiting
with expectation for him to continue. Grey took his time assessing their faces.
Duff always wanted to do something daring and was ready for the challenge.
Greer and Kenneth, brothers, always wore the same face. They smiled no matter
what the situation and relished a good fight or a good woman. James, Sean, and
Colm frowned, a testament they didn’t like hearing of any lass in danger. Hell,
half the women in the clan chased after the men. They were always available to
any lass in distress or not. His guard patiently waited for him to come to a
conclusion.
    “Before I decide if it’s worth my
time, tell me, Gordy, what value does she bring besides herself?” Grey almost
laughed when he noticed his guardsmen nodding.
    Gordy’s voice cracked on his first
word. “Salt. She brings trunks of it, Laird. My cousin told me she is from a
prosperous family. The lady is known to be a—”
    Duff shoved his chest. “Be a what?
Are ye insulting the lady?”
    “A good cook, Laird, aye. My cousin
is traveling with the lady and they will take rest at the Abbey near the
crossing before moving on. They have a long journey.”
    “Laird, you could use a good cook.
Anna’s cooking is atrocious.” That came from Colm.
    The guards laughed, but his comment
didn’t amuse Grey. Though he had to admit he’d hoped for a good meal at least
once during the sennight. The lass’ cooking was horrible. Each night he’d make
excuses not to have to eat the fare. He and his guard had even taken to hiding
the fare so her feelings wouldn’t be hurt. Truth be told, he’d rather eat bark
from a tree than Anna’s cooking.
    “Are ye smiling, Laird?” Greer
asked.
    “Well, damn me, I am … cheerful at
the thought of not having to eat Anna’s cooking. Och the thought of snatching
MacHeth’s bride brings me more joy.”
    Duff grunted. “Payback, aye, Laird?
A bride for a bride?”
    The men’s mood instantly changed.
They went from jesting and joyous to sullen and solemn. Each wore a grave face
and their bodies tensed.
    “We don’t know if MacHeth was
involved in Albrey’s disappearance.” Grey grew somber too. He hadn’t spoken
Albrey’s name in so long; it felt odd speaking it.
    They had no proof that Kenneth
MacHeth took any part in what happened to Albrey Mackay. Yet right afterward,
the clan had an uprising and Kenneth declared himself laird. All Mackay
followers had no choice but to submit to MacHeth or flee into the hills. Grey’s
own father was hard-pressed to take action since no one could prove anything.
    To make matters worse, Albrey’s
family blamed the Gunns for her disappearance because she’d vanished on their
land. All hope of any alliance though was out of the question. The Mackays
promised Grey a bride and never followed through. Grey knew only one person who
would harm the lass and that man was Kenneth MacHeth.
    Grey swore he would never marry when
Albrey disappeared. Deep down, he felt he’d failed in his duty. He promised to
protect her and yet she had been taken. Of course, he’d been young then,
certainly not old enough to protect a child. He was a child