David felt more confident simply because Gilroy Walters had appeared shaken by the news that he hadn’t given up on the betrothal. But there was no denying that he was a bit shaken himself. Anna was missing, and she could have been taken anywhere. All he could do was have faith in his cousins, in his betrothed, and in their love for each other.
After riding around for a while, he finally found Maggie and Will. The sky had opened in a driving downpour, however, and though he was eager to hear their news, the poor weather made it difficult to hear. Through hand signals they agreed to return to the Drummond keep.
By the time they arrived, Gavin and Gregor were already there with Gavin’s sire, Logan. His father and his uncle had always been close, and the two were talking animatedly.
David gave them a cursory greeting and suggested that they all head to his sire’s solar to discuss the latest news from MacGruder.
His sire clapped him on the back. “Your mother hasn’t left for Edinburgh yet, but I’ll find her and fill her in on what’s happened. We’ll join you shortly.” He motioned for Logan to follow him.
Once the group had settled inside the solar, David behind his sire’s desk and his cousins seated around it, a knock landed on the door. Daniel stuck his head inside. “May I join you?”
David glanced at Maggie and Will, the uncontested leaders of the Band of Cousins. Both of them nodded.
The cousins greeted Daniel, but they quickly turned their attention to David.
“Tell us everything,” Gregor said.
“There isn’t much to say other than I could use your help. Our betrothal was canceled because Anna was attacked, something she can barely remember. Her sire claims she lost her maidenhead, which he’s used as grounds to call off our wedding and promise her to another, Gilroy Walters. As some of you know, I did sneak in to speak with Anna last night, thanks to Will and Maggie’s help, and she is not interested in marrying Walters. She belongs to me, even if she lost her maidenhead. I will accept her child as my own should it come to that. Mama intends to speak with the king about the situation.”
“When is the marriage set?” Maggie asked.
“MacGruder planned to marry them in two days, though Walters agreed to wait until the king gives his approval.”
“So how can we help?” Will asked. “Is this not up to the king?”
There was a sinking feeling in David’s stomach. Until that very moment, he’d still hoped Will and Maggie might have seen the Drummond guards spirit her away.
“Anna has disappeared,” he said, keeping his voice even. “She was nowhere to be found in the keep, and MacGruder will not reveal her location. He’s scheming something, and I would like your assistance in locating her.”
Another knock on the door interrupted them, and David’s parents stepped inside along with Uncle Logan.
“Mama? I thought you were heading to Edinburgh.” David stood from behind the desk and offered his mother the laird’s seat.
She sat down. “I found I could not leave without knowing how it went with the MacGruders. I’m pleased there was no need for a battle, but ‘tis troubling that Anna is missing.”
“Aye, I don’t trust her sire at all. I have this niggling feeling I need to find her, or he’ll marry her to Walters as soon as possible. What do you think?”
His sire leaned against the wall, folding his arms in front of him in a way that reminded him of Uncle Logan. “I don’t think Walters will agree without the king’s approval. He stands to lose everything. I’m surprised MacGruder is willing to risk so much. There is definitely something driving this sudden change in his behavior, but I haven’t a clue what ‘tis.”
Diana shook her head. “Micheil, remember he’s not always of sound mind. Do you recall the story of how he sent all his servants away and hired new ones? It happened before we were wed. He’s had episodes of being unstable.”
“You bring up a valid point, Diana. The man can go into uncontrollable rages. What if the king were to come instead of just sending his decision? Think you MacGruder will calm down if the king himself intervenes?”
Uncle Logan said, “The only reason the king would come is if he believes MacGruder does not intend to honor the betrothal. King Alexander will not go against Diana and Micheil’s wishes. Still, he may send a number of guards to make certain his will is upheld. That could be the only way MacGruder will see it done.”
“I’m not waiting,” David insisted. “I’m going after her, but I could use your assistance in determining where to find her. The only possibility I can think of is that she mentioned he’d threatened to bring her to an abbey if she didn’t fall into line and marry Walters.”
Gavin gave him a cat-like grin, then waggled his eyebrows at him. “As it happens, Gregor and I noticed some unusual happenings at Lochluin Abbey. Papa wished to visit with Aedan and Jennie this morn, so we made a short jaunt out to see them. Unfortunately, they are visiting the Grants at the moment. We did ask his guards if they’d seen aught unusual, and they said nothing appeared to be amiss on their land. But when we took our leave, we noticed some horses and a cart hidden near the abbey. At the time, we had no idea who it could be, but mayhap ‘twas Anna?”
David’s hopes soared. Finally there was news of something that could help them out. She’d mentioned the abbey. It had to be Anna. Her sire sent her there, now he was certain.
Uncle Logan said, “I didn’t see any extra guards. Would MacGruder risk leaving her there unguarded?”
David’s sire rubbed his chin. “Possibly. Mayhap he’s keeping his guards at his castle for fear of an outright attack. We were there with most of our guards early this morn. Or it could be that he no one would dare take her form the abbey.”
“Then that’s where I’m headed,” David said eagerly. “At least ‘tis a start. Rather than have everyone go with me, I would prefer we split up, see what’s happening elsewhere in case I’m wrong.”
Gavin nodded. “We’ll go back to Walters’s estate, see what the word is there.”
Diana said, “I know you wish to hurry, David, but the weather is horrible right now. It’ll be nightfall if you leave now, and traveling in a storm at night is dangerous. I’d prefer you wait until the rains slow, otherwise you could be caught in mudslides. That goes for all of you. I’ll go to the kitchens and have them fill a table in the hall with food and drinks. You’ll need sustenance before you set out.” She stood up and smiled at the group. “Oh, how I wish my dear papa was here to see you all. He would be so proud.”
She left the room with a swish of her skirts, Micheil behind her.
David said, “Did anyone learn aught else?”
Will cleared his throat. “We traveled through some unsavory neighborhoods of Edinburgh and claimed to be looking for the man with the scarred face. He is known, but we weren’t given a name. It sounded possible he might be connected with the network of men who sell bairns across the water.”
Maggie nodded. “As you all know, we’ve been searching for more information about the network for nearly a month, but no one has given us any names or even locations. The best information we’ve found is that the network constantly changes. They don’t keep the lasses in the same places all the time.”
“Then how will we find them?” David asked.
Will said, “We’ve come to the conclusion that we need to find more victims who can assist us. The only solution we can think of is to try to be at the firth when the exchange is made, but many ships come into port every week.”
“There must be some way to track legitimate shipments.”
“Aye,” Will said, “and we may be forced to do that. We’ll need the entire Band of Cousins to help us if we find ourselves going after a large ship that has men on the ground making an exchange. We were lucky when we found Baines in Edinburgh, but we never stopped the ship, so I’m sure the merchant is still doing business with someone. Where there’s money, criminals abound.”
They all sat silently for a moment, thinking on the problem, when the door opened and Micheil announced, “Meat pies and cheese for all.”
David waved the others on, pulling Will and Maggie back at the last moment. “I’m going to the abbey now. In this weather, ‘twill be nightfall before I get there. I’m going up to my chamber and down the back staircase. Don’t let on what you know.”
“And if she is there?” Maggie asked.
“I’ll steal her away. ‘Twill be easier if there isn’t a big group with me.”
“Aye, but you’ll need protection,” Will said. “We’re going with you.” Maggie nodded her agreement, chewing on her bottom lip.
“What can we tell your parents?” Maggie asked.
Will said, “If David goes to his chamber, he’ll be gone before they ever check on him. You and I will take our leave a short time afterward. We’ll say we’re going to rub our horses down.”
“That should work. Uncle Micheil will figure it out eventually, but you should be well ahead of him. We’ll meet near the abbey?” Maggie asked.
“Aye,” David replied, a spark of hope blossoming inside him. “It’s a sound plan. A small lead is all I’ll need.”
“Leave your horse in the copse of trees near Uncle Aedan’s hill in the back. Then we’ll know you’re still there.” The three agreed on the plan.
Maggie gave David a quick hug before they left the solar. “We’ll help you get through this, cousin, and then we’ll look into what really happened to Anna.”
David waved at the dais as he stepped into the great hall. “I’m in need of a change of clothing.” It helped that he was drenched from the heavy rain. He took the stairs two at a time and headed to his chamber. Will and Maggie, bless them, had started to tell the others an animated story about Will’s falcons. They were covering for him, and he’d use the time as best he could.
Tossing his Drummond plaid to the side, he put on the black tunic and black and white plaid he and the Band of Cousins had adopted as their disguise for undercover work, grabbed his brat, and then hurried down the back staircase. It rained so hard that the stable lads weren’t about when he saddled his horse and left. Fortunately, he hadn’t seen anyone who would question his attire, which was mostly hidden beneath his brat.
He rode as hard as he could for Lochluin Abbey, eager to see his love again and assure himself she was hale. By the time he arrived, the rain had slowed. He left his horse in the copse of trees as discussed with Maggie and Will. He was almost out of the area when he heard approaching hoofbeats, so he hid to see who it was.
His first impression of the rider was of a tall, braw man, and then recognition set in. He couldn’t have been more shocked. “Daniel? What the hell are you doing here?”
His brother said, “I came to protect you. What they’re doing is wrong.”
“But Mama and Papa will have my arse for this.” He had to admit he was surprised at Daniel’s gumption. Daniel would always be his little brother, which had blinded him to the man he had become. Many times he’d tried to protect him because of his injury.
He’d been wrong to discount him.
“You know how Mama and Papa hate it when you sneak away.”
Daniel pursed his lips. “I know, but I’ve been sneaking away my entire life, have I not?”
“Aye. You did it most when you were three or four summers.”
“I don’t recall that, but I know I did it many times before the accident. Should I stop being myself because I lost my hand?”
“Nay,” David said, clasping his brother’s shoulder. “You should not let the injury ruin your life.”
“If I did, the injury would win, and I refuse to let that happen. Besides,” he said with a smirk. “Don’t you know they’ll never miss me? They still think me too young for everything, just as you do. I’m here to prove you all wrong.”
“Guilty, I admit it,” he clasped his brother’s shoulder and said, “You’re welcome to assist me. Lochluin Abbey is quite large and there are two separate buildings. It could take me a long time to go through both. I have no idea where she is. I also have no idea how many guards MacGruder brought, though I haven’t seen many yet. They must be posted inside.”
“It’s possible she’s not here,” Daniel reminded him.
Aye, but he didn’t want to accept that.
Daniel broke into his thoughts, forcing him to move and not dwell on the unknown as he oft did. “Allow me to search one building while you check the other.” He crossed his arms, acting as if he had no disability at all from losing his hand to a sword. Perhaps it was time for David to start treating him the same way.
“All right. You can search the monk’s building, and I will focus on the main abbey. I expect to find her within the nun’s quarters. If you do not find her, meet me back here. Will and Maggie plan to meet us here.”
They agreed and then headed toward the abbey.
He was proud of his brother. Though he’d told his mother the truth the previous night—he was not driven by the urge to save everyone but rather by his love for Anna—he’d never forget the day Daniel had lost his hand.
His brother had been only six summers, and he’d been nine. Daniel had snuck away from the keep with one of his friends to swim in the loch. When his absence was discovered, David rode his horse straight to the loch, hoping to find him there and get him home before there was too much fuss.
When he arrived, he came upon a melee.
That moment would haunt him forever.
Two reivers were taunting the lads, strictly for their own entertainment, or so it appeared. One man was holding Daniel’s friend underwater in the loch, and Daniel had his small sword drawn and was doing his best to fend off the other one. Though the reiver who taunted Daniel had his own sword drawn, he hadn’t started swinging. He was teasing the lad instead.
David saw only saw two choices in the moment: help Daniel or help his friend in the water.
He jumped down from his horse and pulled his own sword out and headed straight for the man who held the lad under the water in the loch. He swung his blade and caught the reiver in the back of his head with the flat of his sword, intending to make him stop. He caught him hard enough that he had to let the lad go.
The poor boy’s head popped up out of the water, gasping for air, but he was able to scramble back toward the edge to get away from the beast who was now struggling to keep his head up.
David turned back to Daniel and ran toward him. In that instant, barreling with his sword arm raised as any nine-year-old lad would, something unimaginable happened. The second reiver swung at Daniel’s small sword and sliced his hand off in one clean stroke.
Daniel’s screams practically deafened David. He lunged at the disbelieving reiver, who looked stunned as he watched the lad’s blood pulse out of his body. David drove his sword straight into the bastard’s belly, then let go of his sword to grab Daniel.
He didn’t know what to do, but he recalled watching Aunt Brenna, the healer, tie a tourniquet around someone’s arm to quell the bleeding of a deep wound, so he tore strips off his plaid and wrapped them as tightly as he could around Daniel’s arm.
His brother lay on the ground and screamed in pain. His friend had come along, taken one look and fainted, while the other reiver had already recovered enough to run off. David understood why when he saw the cavalry of horses heading toward them, his sire in front.
Anxious to get to them, he threw Daniel on his horse and climbed up behind him. As soon as his brother was settled in front of him, he set off toward the men at a gallop, pushing against the bloody stump to try to stem the bleeding.
Daniel looked pale and had stopped screaming, an indication of how shocked he was about the entire event, and that he was weakening from all the blood he’d lost. He huddled against his brother for support.
When they reached Micheil’s horse, David slowed enough to say, “His friend fainted and he’s still there. Papa, Daniel’s hand, he lost his hand.”
Their sire turned pale, but he recovered enough to say, “Ride on as fast as the horse will carry you. I’m behind you.” He bellowed various instructions at the rest of the guards, some to get the healer, some to fetch the other lad, and the remainder to search out any lingering reivers.
The Drummond healer tended Daniel immediately, closing the bleeding vessels. Aunt Brenna and her sister, Jennie, both wonderful healers, arrived the next day. Daniel had lost a great deal of blood, and he didn’t move out of bed for days, but he’d survived.
Ever since that day, David had regretted not going to save his brother first.
His parents never said it.
Daniel never said it.
But he told himself every day that he could have done better. No matter that the other lad had appeared to be in greater danger and had probably only survived because of David’s efforts. No matter that Daniel and his friend shouldn’t have been out there without any guards, or that Daniel himself could have gone for help.
He’d always feel guilty.
He still considered it his greatest failure.
And while he wanted to save Anna because she was Anna, his love and his future wife, he also wasn’t sure he could bear it if he failed someone he loved for a second time.
He couldn’t let it happen.