Page 28 of Claimed By the Heartless Highlander
“A guard on the walk and one of the scouts circlin’ the boundaries of our lands reported seeing men watchin’ the castle. Neither of them saw what clan the watchers hailed from… cannae tell ye if it was because of the distance or because they werenae wearing tartan.”
“Did our men try to catch them?”
“Aye, but they slipped away afore anyone could get close. As far as we ken, they were just watchin’, and didnae do aught else. But still, ‘tis strange.”
Duncan scowled. There was only one reason he could think of for watchers without clan tartan to be near his castle. “Ye think the bastards are back. Back to start more trouble.”
“I willnae deny the possibility, though I dinnae ken why they’d bother. Nae unless they were curious about yer new betrothed.”
“How would they ken about her?”
“If they were keeping any sort of watch on our lands, then they saw ye ride out to Laird Clyde, and then ride back with her.” Jack shrugged. “Or mayhap they found out about her like ye did.”
“I doubt that.”
Jack nodded, accepting his words as truth. “Then I dinnae ken. And there’s a chance that these are scouts from a different clan, merely watchin’ over the borders. Ye ken we’ve had reports of MacDean riders on the verges every so often.”
“Aye. But ye dinnae think that’s the case.” Duncan couldn’t believe it either. “I just dinnae understand why they’d be keepin’ watch at all. I’ve left well enough alone.”
“Aye. But if they discovered the truth of what happened all those years ago… I ken what ye told them, but if they’ve come to believe that ye told them a falsehood, or worse, learned what ye tried to keep from them…”
“They shouldnae have. I cannae see how they could have. But it doesnae matter.” Duncan began to pace, his agitation growing. “I should have been more careful. Now I’ve brought Ailis into the middle of our feud, and worse, they’re both in danger.”
Jack’s voice was soft and cautious. “I hate to ask it of ye… but ye’re sure the lass isnae part of some scheme…”
“I’m fairly certain. She was too surprised when I showed up at her faither’s castle.” Duncan gave a grim smile. “Happens that many of the clans think I perished in the fire—save for the one I most wish would think so.”
“Cannae be helped,” Jack spoke soothingly. “Ye did yer best. And we all thought it was over after so many years passed without a whisper. ‘Twas why we were pressurin’ ye to find a wife. It’s nae yer fault if the bastards havenae given up.”
“But it is for givin’ in to ye and the council, and puttin’ Ailis in danger, to say nothin’ about bringin’ danger to the clan by leavin’ our lands and revealin’ me presence outside the borders.” Duncan slammed his hand on the desk in frustration.
After a moment to compose himself, he sighed and straightened. “For now, increase the watch on the walls. Lily and Ailis are out at the kennels, playing with the pups Blaze whelped while I was away. Best we bring them inside, where they’ll be safe.”
“Ye ken Lily willnae like bein’ kept inside, and more likely than nae, neither will yer lady.”
Duncan’s jaw tightened. “Aye. I ken, but it is best until we ken who our watchers were, and what they wanted.” He shook his head. “I’d far rather have them upset with me than in danger because I wasnae careful enough.”
He turned and strode out of the study, Jack barely a step or two behind him. His stomach was churning, and it was an effort not to run through the halls like a wayward youth.
After all these years, he’d brought his kin to the most isolated castle his family had—the old fortress that had been their first home when they claimed these lands—to escape their enemies.
For seven years, he’d seen no sign of Clan Fraser or any other clan they might have allied with. He’d begun to hope that they might finally be safe. Now he feared that hope was a futile one, and the thought made his head ache with mingled fear and rage.
Fear for his daughter, his people, and the lass for whom he was quickly finding it hard to deny he felt affection. Rage that his enemies still continued to pursue them. He had done nothing to antagonize them, not since that terrible fire that had destroyed his former home. Why could that not be enough?
By the time he emerged into the courtyard, his head was pounding, and his mood was black. He wanted nothing more than to get his daughter and his betrothed inside to safety before he went and took his frustrations out on a sparring partner—or perhaps a practice dummy.
He stalked toward the stables, ignoring the guard who hurried over to speak to him, and rounded the corner to the kennels, intent on carrying his daughter away.
He froze.
Lily wasn’t there. Nor was Ailis. There was no sign of a struggle, but also no sign of where the lasses had gone. After a moment, he realized the guard who usually watched over the stables was also gone.
Fear ripped through him, a surge of ice-cold sensation to match the rage boiling in his veins.
He whirled on Jack. “Lily’s missing, as is Ailis. We need to find them. Now!”
“Och, Braither, ye ken they cannae have been taken from here?—”
