Free The Brightest Star in the Highlands: Jennie and Aedan (Clan Grant Series Book 7) by Keira Montclair

the need to call this meeting?”
    Drew cleared his throat. “Aedan, I came to see to your well-being, but also to advise you of rumors circulating across our lands. I do not know the source, but it seems that the marauders are planning a large-scale attack.”
    “And their purpose?”
    “Word has it that they are seeking control of your lands. They do not believe you are strong enough to hold onto them any longer after the death of your father. They seek the wealth and protection of the abbey.” Drew glanced at the others, apparently looking for confirmation.
    “What wealth from the abbey? I do not gain aught by having them as tenants.”
    “Word is that Lochluin Abbey has wealthy coffers, and the group is hoping to gain control of them,” Dermid said. “I have heard the same rumor.”
    “You mean they wish to steal from the abbey? Who are they? Does anyone know aught of their origin?” Aedan was shocked by the mere suggestion.
    Hamish said, “Nay, but many have said they are English.”
    Aedan rubbed his forehead. “Aye, I can vouch for the fact that many of the lads in the group that attacked us spoke with an English accent.”
    Neil searched the group. “Who else has been attacked recently?”
    “We were attacked two days before you,” Drew replied.
    “My men fought three days ago,” Hamish said.
    Dermid shook his head. “‘Tis not what I had hoped to hear. These invaders do not give up easily. We were attacked yesterday, though ‘twas a small skirmish.”
    “What is the point of these small skirmishes? Why do they not just pose a large-scale attack and be finished with it?” Neil paced the back of the solar while the others sat.
    Ruari jumped out of his seat. “Send me out to spy! I’ll find out.”
    Aedan sighed. “Lad, I will not send you out to be skewered by unknown invaders.”
    Ruari scowled and sat back down in a huff.
    “Seems they are not verra organized if they continue to make small attacks,” Hamish said. “They’ll never succeed that way. And they retreat quickly.”
    Neil came to a stop. “Mayhap ‘tis all part of a strategy. What better way to learn our lands and the skills of our fighters? Mayhap they are carrying on in this manner to confuse us and prevent us from banding together to fight them.”
    Aedan brushed his hands across the row of whiskers across his chin. “I think you’re on to something, Neil. I have had similar thoughts. We can’t unite into a large force if we are all facing small, unpredictable attacks on our lands.”
    “We must decide what we wish to do,” Drew said. “My scout has heard that they plan to attack Aedan within a moon. They think him weak and ripe for defeat. Sorry, Aedan.”
    “Do not apologize. I would prefer to know.” He mulled over this piece of information before he continued. “And did your scout manage to find out anything more about their leader?”
    “Nay, they know naught of the leader. That information is well hidden.”
    “It must be the English.”
    Dermid said, “A Scot wouldn’t go after an abbey. The monks are highly respected here.”
    Aedan added, “Aye, but wealth is respected even more.”
    ***
    After the men left, Aedan stayed in his chair, his fingers steepled in front of him as he thought. Ruari was the last to leave.
    “Ruari?”
    “Aye, my laird?” Aedan could not help but smile at the lad’s enthusiasm.
    “I have some thoughts that I wish to share with you.” Aedan paused, then motioned for his brother to sit in the chair closest to him. “If you are willing, I would like to send you out to scout for us.”
    Ruari jumped from his seat. “You mean to spy on someone? Aye. I’ll do it!”
    Aedan waved his hand at Ruari, hoping to calm him down. “Why do we not consider it scouting? The others have scouts out, and we have naught. I think in these confusing times, we need to do our own scouting. Are you up to the challenge, lad?”
    “Aye.” He sat in the chair and settled his hands in front of