Page 122 of Love Me Forever

“He never struck her,” Moira said, hoping to diffuse some of his anger.

“He has raised his hand to her enough; she need not feel it again,” Ian said, his own anger evident in his heated eyes. “We need to reach her as soon as possible.”

“The men gather now. I leave as soon as I finish here.”

“I go with you,” Ian insisted. “There are enough men here to protect Moira and the keep, and he will not be so foolish as to return here.”

“But he will send the ransom demand here.”

“I will see that it reaches you,” Moira said, knowing her husband could not sit idly by while a search went on for his sister. It had troubled him the last time this had happened, and he could not go, for she was giving birth to their son. Now, however, there was nothing to stop him, and she certainly would not.

Ian squeezed her waist, letting her know he appreciated her support and understanding.

Royce did not wish to waste time arguing. “I will send men back periodically so you are aware of our whereabouts and so that you may send along any messages received.”

“Then we leave now,” Ian said, removing his arm from around his wife and stepping forward.

Royce stayed him with a raised hand. “Nay, there are things we need to know first, or we ride senselessly.”

Ian was impatient. “Arran disappears fast. We can lose the trail if we do not hurry.”

“If you hurry and ride without thought and purpose, we will solve nothing. And if Arran disappears as quickly as you tell me, then he has already done so and we will follow a worthless trail, which is probably his intention.”

Royce made sense, so Ian asked, “What do you need to know?”

“Brianna mentioned something about land that once belonged to Arran but was in disrepair. I had a few of my men discover where this property is, but I wonder if he would take her there. If so we can easily locate them.”

“You sound doubtful that it would be his destination,” Moira said.

“It seems too obvious, and he might suspect that Brianna had mentioned it to someone. I do not think he would take the chance, though I could be wrong.”

“He cares not if he provides shelter for her. Perhaps he intends to remain in the woods. The denseness of trees and such would provide concealment,” Ian suggested.

“A possibility, but he is a man who observes and waits for people to react out of habit or anger. He knew Brianna would eventually spend time in the kitchen and give him a chance to abduct her. He thinks to anger me enough to ride off immediately after him and follow a senseless trail he has others ride while he goes another way. And of course he suspects that her brother will advise me how he is not an easy man to track, and therefore time should not be wasted but immediate action taken. All will divert us from his true destination.”

“Then where does he go?” Ian asked.

“Perhaps the better question would be where does he not go?” Moira said.

Royce nodded. “He goes where we would least expect.”

Ian nodded knowingly. “There is only one place for him to go.”

“Where?” Moira and Royce asked.

“Home,” Ian said. “He is returning to what is familiar to him and where we would never look.”

“The keep where he and Brianna lived,” Moira said, agreeing with a firm nod.

“I have not assigned anyone to reside there since Arran’s betrayal. I had hoped that Brianna would one day wish to return,” Ian said.

“With a new husband?” Royce asked.

“I had hoped.”

“She will have a new husband before she leaves there,” Royce informed him. “Gather what you need. We leave within the hour.”

“We will be ready,” Moira said, realizing they would be close to home and missing her son.