Page 45 of A Highlander's Bride

There was no doubt in his mind now that he loved the lass. He’d been attracted to her from the time when her mam had insisted she remove the hideous costume and she’d returned as one of the most beautiful women he’d ever seen.

Her sense of humor, determination, helpfulness, and kindness pushed him further into love. As well as her sense of adventure and intense intelligence. He would have her for his wife and whoever kidnapped her—and he had his suspicions—would be punished.

He rode to the village and began questioning everyone he saw. No one had seen Beth or anything untoward. His men had been here before while Daniel had scoured every inch of land within miles of Castle Leod. Every standing structure had been searched.

After getting nowhere with his questions, and feeling frustrated, he went to the tavern for an ale.

One of the serving lasses, the daughter of the tavern owner,approached his table with a mug of ale. “Where is that sweet lass we saw ye with at the Beltane celebration?”

Daniel perked up. “Have ye seen her?”

The lass shook her head. “Nay. No’ since Beltane. Is she no’ here with ye today?”

He shook his head and drank half the mug of ale. “Nay. Have ye seen her in the last couple of days? Since Beltane?”

She frowned at him. “Nay. Is the lass missing?”

“Aye. If ye hear anything at all, please send someone to the castle. The word is that she may have decided to visit her sister at Castle Grant.”

She nodded as one of the customers summoned her. “If I hear anything I’ll let ye ken.”

He finished his ale, and left, his frustration growing to unmeasurable heights.

God’s bones, he wished the king would stay out of his affairs. Out ofallScotland’s affairs. ’Twas bad enough to make the edict, then send him two lasses with the command to “pick one” like he was buying a horse, set a pointless date, andthendecide to travel to Castle Leod to make sure the deed was done.

’Twas no wonder there was talk of another uprising against the English. Highlanders wanted to govern themselves, not be told what to do by a British king.

None of that mattered now, however, since his greatest concern now was the safety of Lady Beth Munro. His intended wife. The more time she was missing, the more frightened he became.

She could not have disappeared into thin air. Again, on his way back to the stables, he stopped at each vendor and shop with a friendly reminder to send word to the castle if they learned anything.

He waved at Freda as he left the bakery. She turned as Enoch joined her in the front of the store. “Was that the laird again?”

“Aye.” She wiped her hands on her apron. “I have no idea what isgoing up at the castle, but I doona remember a time when Laird Mackenzie looked so frantic.”

Enoch picked up the leftover loaves of bread, which they would use the next morning to make the squares of bread pudding that were so popular with their customers.

“Mayhap we should have told the laird about the man from the castle who comes here for a loaf of bread every day, then buys cheese from Farmer Malcolm’s wife, heads to the village tavern and leaves there with a heavier sack. Then he heads back to the castle. It doesna seem enough to feed the keep.”

Freda shrugged. “Mayhap he doesna get enough to eat at the castle. I doona see what that would have to do with the sweet lass disappearing. However, the next time he comes to the village, I will mention it to him.”

She and Enoch began to clean up the work area as well as the store front.

Freda watched Laird Mackenzie at the stables as he settled on his horse and left the village, heading to the castle.

His sad demeanor saddened her as well.

Chapter Sixteen

“But Laird, theking is arriving. We have no choice. He expects to meet the new Lady Mackenzie.”

Daniel looked Morgan in the eye. “I doona understand why ye doona understandme. I will no’ marry Lady Alice. I will find Lady Beth and marry her. I doona care if the king comes to the castle, or if God himself makes an appearance.”

“Laird, ye are becoming unhinged. The clan needs the support of the king,” Abraham said.

Weary and tired, Daniel banged his fist on the table in front of the three old men. “Doona push me. That is all I have to say about this.”

Daniel turned and stormed from the room, slamming the door so hard that it rattled the walls. ’Twas time to dismiss them. He didn’t need advisors.