Page 12 of The Trials of Neilina MacKai (The MacKai Brides #5)

“I can’t imagine.”

“Might she too have been taken captive?”

“Were that the case, I think she’ll be returned without a request for ransom. I doubt any stranger could tolerate her ill-humor for long.”

Dougal laughed.

“Since I cannot be certain what happened with Lady Staunton, please form a search party from among our men. I will remain here to question the other servants. Report back to me in the great hall at Sext. If we don’t find her by then, I’ll have to assume some accident befell her.”

“Of course, Laird MacFearann.” Dougal saluted and headed for the barracks.

As he approached the main doors, Rhuad could hear his friend shouting instructions to the men at arms.

Questioning the entire staff took more time than Rhuad liked. With each shake of a head and negative answer, the knot of worry between his shoulders tightened. Any of a number of reasons could be cause for his aunt’s disappearance. Only two prompted deep concern.

She might have been taken hostage like her sister and niece. That would be bad enough. Worse was the niggling suspicion that she wasn’t a hostage but rather a spy who had discovered his plans to rescue his womenfolk. If that were the case, Seona was walking into a trap.

It wasn’t until afternoon when the master of horse faced him, a stable boy at his side, that Rhuad learned two horses were missing in addition to his aunt.

“My lord, I found this lad locked in the stable storage shed. He says he saddled horses early this morning for Lady Staunton and a man he did not recognize.”

“Come here boy.” Rhuad gestured toward a spot in front of him.

The lad stepped forward. “I din’t mean to do nothin’ wrong, Laird.”

“Did Lady Staunton order you to saddle horses for her and her companion?”

The boy nodded.

“’Tis never wrong to obey an order from a lady.”

The youth swallowed. “If you say so, Laird.”

Rhuad would have smiled had other concerns not become so worrisome. “How long ago did you make the horses ready?”

“It was just after the bells rang Matins. I remember ’cause Lady Staunton came into the stable as I was about to break my fast. She didn’t want to wait. I hurried to obey. I was that hungry. ’Sides, I knew she... Well, that ain’t important.”

“Yes, it is, lad. Is my aunt in the habit of punishing those who don’t obey quickly enough?”

The boy studied the floor. “I shouldn’t speak ill of my betters. It’s what Father Magnus says when he tends my hurts.”

“Lady Staunton beats you?”

The boy nodded.

“Does she do aught else that is mean or cruel?”

The boy stood straighter, as if about to confront an evil monster.

“Whenever she strikes one of us...”

“She maltreats more servants than you?”

“Aye, Laird. She pinches the smallest maids and calls us men little toom tabards . She says King Edward will come to send us all to the devil, making Scotland clean for decent English folk. I don’t want to live with the devil, Laird.” The lad’s voice shook despite his defiant stance.

“Do not worry, boy. England’s king will never get this far north. Were you ever able to have your breakfast?”

“Nay,” he shook his head.

“Take him to the kitchens,” Rhuad instructed the master of horse. “See that he’s fed, whatever he wishes. Make sure the cooks treat him well. Also, have someone find Sir Dougal and send him to me.”

“Aye my lord,” the master of horse replied.

They left, and Rhuad stared into the fire. The boy’s story made clear that Lady Staunton spied for the English. What could she possibly hope to gain from betraying her family? Had she always hated Scotland? She was a Scot herself, so how was it possible?

I may never know .

He’d had no reason to suspect her of such ill will. What caused her to spy and why leave now. He doubted she planned to return. She’d know he would question the stable boy. Where would she go? Who in Scotland would give shelter to a traitor?

The answer leapt to mind the moment the questions formed. The Reverend Mother of St. Margaret Abbey. Why now? His aunt must have left to warn the abbess about the plans to rescue his mother and sister.

Dear God, Seona’s life is at risk .

The timing of his aunt’s departure was such that she would reach the abbey before Seona.

Lady Staunton wouldn’t have to spend the night in the village.

The abbess would know Seona’s purpose before his wife arrived.

At best she would be held hostage like his mother and sister.

At worst, Seona would be killed. The thought made his stomach turn.

He would not allow any harm to come to Seona. He wasn’t ready to lose her, yet. He doubted Raeb MacKai would be pleased when he learned of recent events. Perhaps that displeasure could be used to advantage. How many more men, arms, and horses, might Baron MacKai give to save his sister?

“You asked to see me, my lord?” Dougal stood at Rhuad’s side.

He’d been so deep in thought he’d not heard the knight approach.

“Aye, sit down and listen carefully.”

“This is terrible news,” Dougal said when Rhuad finished telling everything he’d learned. “What do you think should be done.”

“I think we need not wait for a message from my wife. I doubt she’ll be permitted any chance to communicate.”

“I agree. The men are nearly ready. We could leave within the hour.

“’Tis close to midday. We’d have to stop for the night before we arrived at the village.

Then another half day would be wasted getting to the village.

We’d be tired and in no shape to attack the abbey guard, while they would be fresh and well rested.

In addition, the longer we take for the journey, the greater the danger to my wife.

‘Tis also more likely we will be seen by an enemy sentry.”

“You make good points. We should prepare to leave at first light tomorrow.”

“Perhaps even before first light. We should also send my squire ahead. If he leaves within the hour, he’ll be able to get help from his friend the tavern keeper.”

“Are you sure Clyne will help? What about the rest of the villagers? They depend somewhat on the Abbey for their livings.”

“That will not change no matter who is in charge of the Abbey. In addition, the MacFearann coffers are deep. I’ll have my squire assure Mr. Clyne that any who help us will be well rewarded for their trouble.

However, secrecy is of utmost importance.

Anyone discovered revealing our plans to the Abbey will be hung as a traitor to Scotland. ”

“A carrot and a stick both. That should gain us some allies. Have you thought that our plans could fail? We may have to hold siege at the abbey.”

“I would prefer not to do that. The longer Seona, my mother and sister are held hostage, the more likely the Reverend Mother will threaten their lives to gain our cooperation.”

“We cannot rely solely on one plan of attack.”

“I agree. Which is why I will send a messenger to Baron MacKai, the Earl of Strathnaver and Lord Iver MacTavish.”

“It would take a week for your messenger to get to Dungarob alone==MacTavish is another week to the south. Then a third week or more would be needed for any force from the MacKai and his brothers-in-law to travel to Castle MacFearann, then another day to arrive at the fishing village.”

“Messengers will be sent by land and sea.”

“The currents along the northern coast of Scotland are wicked fierce to say nothing of the near constant storms.”

“And the highlands of northern Scotland are no place for a man to travel alone, especially if he’s in a hurry. All I can do is try to get word to the lairds of clans MacKai, Marr, and MacTavish as quickly as possible.”

“Aye, I’ll say prayers in the chapel for the success of all our plans.”

“With any luck,” Rhuad continued. “We’ll be able to take possession of the abbey quickly. If we can capture the Reverend Mother, the guard will have to lay down their arms, just to save her neck.”

“You’d kill a holy woman?”

“No, not even if she truly is a holy woman. However, the men in the abbey guard need not know that my threats to end her are only that, threats.”

Dougal contemplated the circumstances involving such a deception. “You know, this may be one occasion on which the MacFearann reputation for cold-blooded vengeance could work to your advantage.”

Rhuad smiled and leaned forward. “You are right. I must have my squire ensure that Mr. Clyne can relate the most lurid parts of the clan history. No matter how stalwart, any man at arms whose head is filled with horrors will carry extra fear into battle.”

Dougal grinned and nodded. “That fear could cause a man to hesitate when immediate action is needed.”

“We can refine the details of our attack tonight at the evening meal. Go you now. Send my squire to me and tell the men that waiting is over. Tomorrow we depart early to go to war.”

“I will make it so, my lord.” Dougal stood, bowed and left.

Rhuad remained staring into the fire once more. His mind’s eye pictured Seona seated next to him with a ledger in her lap.

“You will need to plan carefully and with logic, husband.”

Aye, that I will my love. Win or lose know that I will be with you soon .