Jake (The Highland Clan Book 4) by Keira Montclair

assistance.”
    “I could not risk your life, Ashlyn. I fear if Hew suspected aught, he would kill you immediately.”
    “Do not worry. The Clan Grant can be quite deceptive when we need to be. Know that you may never see us, but we will be watching.”
    She could only hope that Ashlyn spoke the truth, and that the Grants would find a way to keep watch over them. Though she didn’t know what, something was brewing at Castle Dubh, something frightening.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

 
    Chapter Eight
     
    Jake had gone out to the lists early the next morn to release some of his frustration about his inability to talk sense into Aline. After a few good rounds with his sword, he returned to the great hall to break his fast, then he planned to try to convince Aline to stay. In fact, when he opened the door, he had a secret hope that she had come down to the hall on her own, and he would find her chatting with his family.
    He wiped his face with his plaid as he made his way to the table where his sire sat with his Uncle Robbie. His brother Jamie and Roddy, Robbie’s son, were also there.
    “Good morn to you,” Jake said as he pulled a stool over to the full table.
    He received many replies, and he smiled and nodded in acknowledgement as he called for porridge from the serving lass.
    Uncle Robbie cleared his throat. “Plans for the day, Jake?”
    “Just going to check on Aline, try to convince her to stay here, though I doubt she will listen. She’s been adamant about going back. How can I allow her to go without following her? Thus, if I cannot convince her to stay, my guess is I’ll be traveling.”
    “About Aline.”
    “What about Aline?” Jake set the piece of bread he’d broken off the fresh loaf back on the table.
    Uncle Robbie glanced at Jake’s sire before he continued. “Aline left before dawn.”
    Jake stood up so fast that he sent his stool flying behind him. “What? You allowed her to leave?”
    “Jake,” his father warned. “Get control of your temper.”
    Jake picked up his stool and set it to rights, plopping down on it and casting a glare his father’s way. He then stared at his uncle, awaiting an answer. He did his best to keep from bellowing at the beams above him, letting everyone know his angst.
    Alex answered, “Aline left with Ashlyn and two guards before dawn with our blessing.”
    “What the hell were you thinking? Two guards?” Then he turned to glare at his uncle. “You allowed Ashlyn to go with her?”
    Uncle Robbie whispered, “Simmer that temper of yours, Alex Junior, and I’ll explain our reasoning.” He sat back and crossed his arms, waiting for Jake to calm down.
    Jake knew he’d get naught until he did as they asked, so he scanned the hall, trying to rein in his fears. They must have had a good reason. This was his sire and his uncle in front of him, two of the three lads who’d built the Clan Grant to its current might. Once his heartbeat slowed, he said, “Please continue.”
    Uncle Robbie resumed. “We believe that Aline only had trust in Ashlyn, Maddie, and Caralyn. Ashlyn volunteered to go with her so she’d know how to find the keep. ‘Tis better to know your enemies, Jake. Aline would have returned whether you wanted her to or not. Your mother was certain of that, and she understands these things. If she’d snuck off on her own, we wouldn’t have been able to find her. ‘Tis our belief that something could be building at this keep. The lads who treat lasses that way are usually power hungry.
    “We believe we know the location of the castle. ‘Tis run down and there was an old Gordon chief, but he had few men, so we never considered them a threat. They were not friendly.
    “Aline needed guidance getting off our land because she had no idea how to find that lad’s keep from Clan Grant. You would not want her wandering aimlessly in the Highlands as Bella did before she was kidnapped. Ashlyn offered her guidance, a horse, and the promise to leave her once