Page 31 of The Trials of Neilina MacKai
“WHAT DO YOU MEAN, LADYStaunton is missing?”Rhuad demanded of the maid, Eibhlin, earlier that day.One of his aunt’s foul moods was the last thing he needed right now.
“She said I should report straight to her as soon as Lady MacFearann left.I tried to do that.I have searched everywhere I can think of, but I can’t find her.”
“Perhaps your aunt has simply gone for a stroll,” Suggested Dougal.
Rhuad shook his head.“You haven’t known my aunt very long my friend, or you would know that she never walks when she can be driven in a carriage or carried in a chair.She cannot be bothered to do for herself.Hence, taking a walk is an unlikely activity.”
“What should I do, my lord?”Eibhlin asked.
“Find another of the maids.Then go to my wife’s chambers and make certain all is in order there.Her things are put away, the chamber cleaned and made ready for her return.”
“Yes, my lord.I will do as you say, but Lady Staunton will not be pleased that I did not follow her orders.”
“You tried,” he said and forced a reassuring smile.“I will deal with Lady Staunton.I promise she will not punish you.”
“Thank you, my lord.”Eibhlin dipped a curtsey and left.
“What do you think happened to your aunt?”Dougal queried.
“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?”
