Page 25 of Stolen by the Rival Scot (Tartan Trails of Love #2)

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

A s much as he did not want to leave Evelyn, Edward was eager to discover if anything more had been revealed. Both about who the poisoner might be, as well as the whereabouts of Thomas and Gilroy.

No matter how hard he tried, however, he was not able to make sense of the attacks. Such a vile act needed a reason, some motivation behind it. A person willing to take another’s life, risking their own in the process, had the aim to achieve something, to procure a beneficial outcome.

And yet, whichever way he looked at it, he simply could not conclude what that might be. Thomas and Gilroy were both clan Campbell councilmen. What benefit could Evelyn’s demise possibly give them?

He was still thinking about that question when he went in search of James and Craig. He found James in the drawing room with Freya and Morgana.

“How is Evelyn?” Freya blurted, before Edward had a chance to open his mouth and greet them all.

“Awake,” Edward said with satisfaction.

“Awake?” Freya gasped. “Och, Edward, this is the most wonderful news. I should go and see her.”

“Indeed, both ye and Morgana should, but nae yet. She is only just roused. I have sent Caitlin up to her, and thus, fer now, it’s likely best that she gets a little something tae eat.”

Morgana and Freya nodded, expressing their understanding and agreement. Edward then turned to James.

“I wonder if ye wouldnae mind joining me in the study?”

Without hesitation, James pushed himself from the chair he had been sitting on. “O’ course, braither.”

The men excused themselves, and then left the room.

“Ye must be pleased that Evelyn is awake,” James said as they headed down the corridor.

“More than pleased. I only wish I had managed tae catch this fiend ‘afore now, so I could assure her that she is now fully safe.”

“Ye think?—”

At that moment, Craig rounded the corner ahead of them.

“Just the man I was coming tae find,” Edward said, greeting him once they met.

“Ye are in need o’ me?” Craig asked.

“I am in need o’ a conversation with men I trust,” Edward replied. “Come, let’s head tae me study. I dinnae want our conversation overheard.”

Once in the study, Edward moved to the dresser and poured the three of them a drink.

“I have been wracking me brain all night,” Edward said, handing the glasses to each of the men. “Desperately trying tae understand why this is happening. I have already come tae the conclusion that the attack on the women and the poisoning are connected.”

Craig and James both nodded.

“It has tae be,” Craig said. “It is too much o’ a coincidence. And then there is the fact that Lady Evelyn was targeted in both attacks.”

James took a sip of his drink. “Ye think whoever it is, is determined tae dae away with her?” he said, looking at Edward.

The men settled near the fire as Edward nodded. “I dae. It’s the only thing that mak’s sense. What daesnae mak’ sense is why? We are already married. The clan now has a laird and lady. What good could possibly come from smiting Evelyn?”

None of them seemed to have an answer to that, and thus, the three sat in silence for several minutes.

Edward continued. “And while I cannae prove it, I am determined that Thomas and Gilroy are involved.”

“As am I,” Craig agreed. “We have questioned everyone who remains in the castle. Naebody kens anything.”

“Well, that’s what they are telling ye, at least,” James added.

“Ye think they are lying?” Craig asked.

James shrugged. “Ye ken these people far better than I, Craig. But nor is anyone going tae step forward and tell ye the truth if their confession might mean a journey tae the gallows.”

As much as Edward hated the circumstances, he felt solace in the knowledge that he was not the only one who had come to such conclusions about the attackers. It might be seen that he already had animosity towards Thomas and Gilroy, given the way they had treated him since his arrival. But they did not done with Craig and James, and yet, they too had reached the same conclusion.

Surely that meant that there was something in it. That the two men were likely the ones who had orchestrated both the attack and the poisonings. They were determined to do away with Evelyn, but still, the why remained.

“It has tae have something tae dae with our marriage,” Edward murmured. “They have had plenty o’ opportunity tae be rid o’ Evelyn ‘afore now. Why wait? And why nae attack me? That could at least allow the Council tae marry her off tae someone else.”

They continued bouncing ideas around for another hour, but no matter what way they looked at it, they came to the same conclusion. Which, in fact, was no conclusion at all.

Again, the men sat in contemplative silence, none with any answer that made any sense. The conundrum was driving Edward quite mad. It didn’t help that his brain felt rather muddled after such a lack of sleep. He had snoozed in the chair the previous night, but as Evelyn had rightly said, it could hardly be called rest.

The fire crackled before them, the heat seeping into Edward’s bones as he sat there, gazing into the flickering flames, holding his glass to his chest. The flames were hypnotic, dancing this way and that. His eyes were already tired, but the fire made them feel even more dry. Feeling his body relax, his mind slowly left the problem he was trying to solve. In fact, his mind seemed to have wandered off completely…

“Edward!”

James’ sharp tone made Edward jump, his eyes flying open, and his heart thumping.

“What? What?”

He then noticed James and Craig looking at him with concern in their eyes.

“This isnae any place tae sleep, braither,” James said kindly. “We cannae dae anymore fer a while.”

“We have tae find the answer,” Edward argued.

“Nay, we dinnae,” James replied. “Besides, we’ve gone over this time and again. We’re getting nowhere, and are nae likely tae anytime soon.”

“Nae until we find Thomas and Gilroy,” Craig added.

James nodded. “It is time ye got some rest, Edward. Evelyn is healing, and, in a day or two, she’ll be as right as rain. Go and spend some time with yer wife. But more than that, go and get some sleep.”

Edward opened his mouth to argue, only to realize his mind did not have the energy to do so. James and Craig were right, and he knew it. Besides, what use was he to anybody if he couldn’t think straight?

“Fine,” he sighed, pushing himself to his feet.

“Good.” James did the same. “I am glad ye’ve seen sense. Now, away with ye. I dinnae want tae lay eyes on yer fer at least a few hours.”

“If nae longer,” Craig added.

“Agreed,” James added. “After supper would be acceptable.”

“All right. All right. I’m going,” Edward threw a dismissive hand. “Me god, ye’re like a couple o’ lasses the way ye’re going on.”

The men grinned at him. Edward, as tired as he was, managed a weary smile back.

“Feel free tae stay in here. Just lock up when ye leave. And dinnae drink all o’ me fine whisky,” he ordered playfully, throwing a hand toward the dresser that held the decanters.

Making his way down the corridors, he still couldn’t help thinking about Thomas and Gilroy. It was pointless, he knew that. Still, they bounced around in his head like they lived up there.

Arriving at the bedchamber, he turned the handle and walked in.