Page 83

A bedraggled group of men staggered into the bailey, their faces covered with dust and dirt, their eyes weary with exhaustion.

“We were set upon by thieves, milord,” one of the men said in a pitiful voice. “They stole the grain, cart and all.”

“’Twas Gilroy and his thieving band of mercenaries,” a second fellow declared. “I’ve no doubt about it.”

Gavin’s eyes searched frantically among the small group, dismayed to find only a handful of men. “What about the woman who was traveling with ye?”

The man scratched his head. “She only rode with us fer a few hours, then turned to meet another rider. Another female. We think the women rode off together.”

“And ye let them?” Gavin shouted.

“Our task was to protect and deliver the grain,” the man sputtered.

Connor grabbed Gavin’s arm. “Perhaps the women got away?” he asked hopefully.

Gavin took a moment to consider it. “Nay. If they were free, they would have returned. I fear Gilroy has stolen far more than our grain this day.”

Gavin leveled a furious stare at no one in particular, then spun himself in a frustrated circle. A litany of grievous harm that might befall Fiona, and Aileen, ran through his mind, causing his heart to slam rapidly against his chest. Seeing his agitation, Aidan stepped forward.

“Do ye think Gilroy knows what a prize he’s captured?”

“Aye, he knows.”

“Then he’ll want to ransom the women,” Duncan insisted.

“Some might advise that we wait fer Gilroy to contact us with his demands,” Connor suggested.

Gavin ran his hand through his hair. Sit patiently waiting for Gilroy to make his move? Never!

“We’ll ride together to the spot where the grain was stolen and then split our most able-bodied men into four groups, each riding in a different direction, north, south, east, and west,” Gavin decided. “We four will command the units. We will search our lands and beyond, if necessary. We willnae return until they have been found.”

The three brothers nodded. “We will bring them back,” Duncan stated emphatically. “Unharmed.”

Aidan saw to organizing the men while Gavin gave the order to ready the horses. As he prepared to mount his horse, he laid a hand on his gut, which had been churning from the moment he realized Fiona was gone. His fears for her safety were making him nauseous and he despised the weakness.

Gavin lifted himself onto his horse, staring impatiently at the rest of the men as they prepared to leave, until a frightened voice caused him to look down.

“What’s wrong?”

Spencer stood before him, his eyes darting frantically from one man to the next. Gavin stared down at him for a hazy moment. A grim silence descended upon the bailey as Gavin, Connor, Duncan, and Aidan all exchanged troubled glances.

“Is it my mother?” Spencer sniffled, wiping his nose with the back of his hand. “Tell me. Please.”

“Lady Fiona and Lady Aileen have gone missing,” Gavin reported. “We are making ready to search fer them.”

“But I heard one of the men said the women are in grave danger. Is that true?”

A raw tension stretched through Gavin as he tried to formulate an answer. “There might be trouble,” he conceded. “’Tis the reason we are in such a hurry to find them.”

The lad looked stricken. “’Tis my fault. I should have told ye.”

Gavin felt the hot flames of anger lick at his chest. “What do ye know of this, Spencer?”

“She sent for me earlier today, before dawn. To say good-bye. I asked her not to go, but she insisted it was necessary.”

“Did she tell ye where she was going?”

“No. She only said that she would write to me once she was safely settled.” Spencer’s brow furrowed with distress. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell ye.”