Page 47 of His Secret Highland Bride

“One of them must have sent word as to where they were going. Or known ahead where their family could send for them?”

The stablemaster rubbed a hand over his thick, gray beard and called out to a gangly boy who came running.

“The laird is asking where his mother has gone. Did ye hear them say?” He turned back to Shane, his shoulders straight with pride. “This is Luke, my grandson. A quiet boy goes unnoticed as he does his duties. If anyone heard, it would be him.”

“I’m sorry, but I heard some of the men asking the lady, and she only laughed and told them they would find out soon enough. I don’t know why they would have agreed to go with her. But it was as if the lady was fairy and cast a spell over the men. They were that eager to do her bidding.”

A young boy wouldn’t have seen the allure of a beautiful woman’s smile.

“Thank ye both. If you hear anything from the men that escorted her, please let me know right away.”

Tory met Shane as he returned to his study. “I checked with the women in the kitchens to see if they knew where she’d gone. Of course, Deirdre didn’t deign to enter the kitchens except to give orders or complaints, so she had no friends there in whom she might have confided.” Tory shook her head. “I will say the women were pleased to learn the lady of the castle is no longer in residence.”

“They’ll not be so happy when we run out of food for them to prepare.”

“Is it so dire, brother?” Tory asked. Her green eyes—so much like his—grew wide with worry. He didn’t wish to trouble his sister, but he’d not lie to her. He was already keeping enough secrets already.

“It will become dire if we don’t make reparations for the dowry Deirdre has already spent.”

“You don’t plan to marry the Wallace lass?”

“Nay. I can’t.” He didn’t go into the details as to why he couldn’t. Fortunately, Tory didn’t push him. He imagined, being the daughter of a laird herself, she wasn’t in agreement with such an arrangement if it was not wanted.

“I’ll ask others. Someone must have heard.”

“Not if she never spoke it.”

“True.”

Deirdre did not get to where she was by being reckless. She would’ve planned every detail of her escape so no one would find her. Any information they might come across would probably be false to throw them off her trail. The witch was diabolical in getting what she wanted.

“I am going for my bed.” And my wife. “I’ll return in the morning,” he said when no other ideas had come to him.

“Brother?”

Shane stopped to wait for her to continue.

“Alec mentioned there was a woman in your bed when he arrived the other morning.”

Shane’s brows went up. “Our brother speaks of such things to his sister? It’s not proper.”

She rolled her eyes and shook her head.

“I heard him mention it to Roger, who commented she must be the reason you’ve not sought the comfort of your role here in the castle.”

“The men of this clan gossip like old women.” He felt as if there was a hand gripping him tightly around the neck. This world and the one he’d built in the cottage with Lindsay were in danger of colliding. And the risk grew each day.

“Is it true?” Tory pushed when Shane didn’t respond.

“Is what true?”

“Do you care for her? I know men seek a woman’s company, but the way I understand it, it is only for a night, and then they move on. It sounded as if this one might be more than a dalliance.”

“You’re not to know of such things, Tory. And I’ll not speak of it with you. If you wish to discuss such improper things, I’ll bid ye to take it up with Roger. He seems to have an opinion to share on the topic.”

With a sigh that spoke of her intense irritation, she turned on her heel and left. He’d been spared for now, but it wouldn’t be long before he’d be forced to answer her questions.

Until then, he’d keep his wife to himself.