Page 40 of A Highlander's Bride

He also requested another horse readied since he planned to ride as quickly as possible, and Atlas was most likely worn out from their morning trek. So as not to cripple the animal, it would take him two to three days each way to make the journey to Castle Grant.

He slapped his fist in his palm. He was wasting time riding to Beth’s sister. But to calm Lady Munro down, it had to be done.

Lady Chisholm was sitting in the great hall, embroidery on her lap that she was ignoring as he strode through the room. However, she was givinghima great deal of attention.

He knew in his heart that she had something to do with Beth’s disappearance and it scared him to death that while he was riding backand forth to Castle Grant, Beth was most likely in danger.

The idea came to him while he was getting travel food from Cook to bring with him. He swiftly turned from the kitchen and hurried out to the lists.

He signaled Gregory over from where he was working with a young new warrior. He jogged up to him, wiping sweat from his forehead with the palm of his hand.

“What do ye need, Daniel?”

Daniel studied him for a moment, considering his plan and deciding it was the best thing to do. He wrapped his arm around his cousin’s shoulder. “I need ye to take a trip to Castle Grant.”

Chapter Fourteen

“Ye ken theking ordered the laird to marry by Beltane, which ye ken was yesterday.” Lady Chisholm was trying hard not to raise her voice since she didn’t want others in the keep to hear her. The elders just stared at her. She couldn’t leave Lady Beth in the dungeon too long.

“Lady Chisholm, we are well aware of the king’s edict. However, although we’ve sent for the laird, he has yet to address us,” Morgan said.

“He is no’ here.”

Abraham raised his brows. “Where is he?”

Not sure how much to tell them since she wanted them to make a quick decision, she shrugged. “I doona ken. But I believe he will be gone for a few days.”

She leaned over the table and tapped the table with her finger. “I suggest ye send a missive to the king that Laird Mackenzie has decided to marry Lady Alice Chisholm and get the wedding underway before ye face the king’s wrath.”

“Nay, Lady Chisholm.” The laird entered the solar, glaring at her.

She sucked in a breath. “I thought ye were traveling to Castle Grant?”

“And why would I be doing that?”

She didn’t care for the way he studied her. Even if he knew she’dhad Beth hidden, the advisors would have to insist on the wedding to Alice to avoid whatever consequence the king would consider.

Lady Chisolm pulled her skirts close to her body and swept past him. Before she left the room, she turned to the old men. “I am merely trying to keep the Mackenzie clan from suffering at the king’s hand.”

*

Daniel watched thewoman leave the room.

Abraham pointed his finger at Daniel. “Lady Chisholm has a point, Laird. The king expected ye to be married by yesterday. Marry Lady Alice and be done with it.”

“I have no intention of marrying Lady Alice Chisholm. Lady Beth Munro is my choice. I have proposed to her and she has accepted.”

Morgan perked up. “So we are able to plan the wedding and send word to the king?”

Daniel tightened his lips. “Yes. But now it seems Lady Beth is missing.”

“Missing?” Richard asked. “Please explain, Laird.”

With no intention of speaking about last night to these men, he said, “Two notes have appeared this morning. One to Lady Munro and one to me. In those notes—which I have every reason to believe are fake—Lady Beth says she went to visit her sister at Castle Grant.”

The three elder advisors all sat in silence.

Abraham tapped the table. “Then ye must marry Lady Alice and we will send word to the king.”