Page 75 of Bound to a Scot
CHAPTER FORTY
“Ride fast, lad,” Maddox said.
“Aye. Like the bleedin’ wind.”
After spending most of the previous night drafting the letter Adair was carrying to King James, Maddox felt apprehension as he watched his cousin mounting up and riding away from the castle. He frowned, then turned his face to the sky. The pre-dawn gloom still shrouded the world, but the sun would begin its ascent soon enough and there was still much to do.
Burchard had returned the previous night with a group of men and wagons filled with goods for the upcoming nuptials feast. Macfie had been in good spirits, jesting with Maddox and clapping him on the shoulder and laughing like they were friends. It was all Maddox could do to keep from throttling him then and there. But he remembered the words of caution from Emmeline, Adair, and Lorn and swallowed down his rage.
When he turned to enter the castle again, he found Macfie and his new friends walking out. The laird looked startled to see Maddox but quickly recovered. He nodded to his men who cut hard glares at him as they moved to the stables to fetch their mounts. Maddox watched them go for a moment, curiosity gripping him, before turning back to Macfie.
“Laird MacLachlan, what are ye doin’ up so early?” Macfie said.
“Takin’ in the sunrise.”
“Ah. Well, the view is much better up on the ramparts.”
“Aye. I was just headin’ up that way,” he said through gritted teeth. “And yerself? What has ye leavin’ so early this mornin’?”
He cleared his throat and looked uneasy. “I’ve got some business tae see tae. ‘Tis a busy time with the upcomin’ weddin’.”
Maddox gritted his teeth but put a smile on his face. “Aye. Of course. Well, I willnae keep ye then. We’ll see ye later taenight?’
“Aye. Perhaps.”
“Good day, Laird Macfie.”
“And a good day tae ye.”
Macfie turned and strode toward the stables as his men emerged with his horse already saddled. Maddox stood where he was, watching them all mount up and ride out, not a single one of them sparing a glance back at him. It was as if Macfie’s companions didn’t want him to see their faces. It felt positively sinister. Once they were gone, Maddox dashed back into the castle to rouse Lorn and Emmeline from their slumber.
There was much to do.
Wearing cloaks and masks over the lower parts of their faces, Emmeline, Maddox, and Lorn traveled the road toward the village. Lorn had friends among the people and had learned that Burchard had been traveling to the port town. His friends couldn’t tell him what Burchard was doing or who he was meeting with, but Maddox was certain it was the mercenaries meant to kill him and possibly the men he would put in charge of his lands once he was dead.
By the time they arrived at the port town, dark clouds had swept in from the ocean, bringing with it a cold wind and the promise of rain.
“How are we goin’ tae find him?” Emmeline asked.
“I’ve got friends here too,” Lorn replied. “It shouldnae be tae difficult tae find out where he’s at.”
They boarded their horses at the stables near the docks, handing the stable boy a few coins for their care, then walked into the town. It was crowded and the scent of more like rotting meat. Maddox did not like this town. Children, dirty and bedraggled, surrounded them, hands out, begging for coin. Emmeline reached for her purse but Lorn put his hand over hers.
“Dinnae. We cannae afford tae draw attention tae ourselves,” he grumbled. “And strangers handin’ out coin tae the street urchins is goin’ tae get tongues waggin’.”
Emmeline nodded, although she looked pained to be denying children in need. Together, they moved through the crowd, heading into the central marketplace of the port town. The air was filled with the sound of music and barkers hawking their wares. The stench of something rotten so prevalent near the docks was gone in the marketplace or was perhaps just overpowered by the aroma of roasting meats and fish. Maddox’s mouth watered and his stomach grumbled.
“We should eat somethin’,” he said.
“’Tis a good idea. Ye two get somethin’ tae eat. I see somebody I need tae have a word with. I’ll find ye after,” Lorn said and stalked away.
Maddox led Emmeline toward a line of stalls where they picked up bowls of fish with butter and brown gravy and vegetables, with a side of warm, crusty bread. They took their food to a quiet area and indulged. As they ate, Maddox noticed that Emmeline’s hands were shaking so wildly, he thought she might drop herbowl of food. He gently put his hand over hers and offered her a small smile.
“Everythin’s goin’ tae be all right,” he said. “Breathe easy, lass.”
Her smile was wan, and she seemed to pale. “I’m nae so sure. Ye dinnae ken Burchard. He’s a cruel and vindictive man?—”
“And if ye all were right, he’ll pay fer that once the king gets word of what’s happenin’ here.”
