Page 47 of Captured By the Cruel Highlander
Theo looked contrite. “I couldnae say, M’Laird,” he said swiftly and hurried out.
Adam swore. If Theo had shown Emily the passages that ran beneath the castle, she could be anywhere. They were numerous, difficult to navigate, and some of them led to dead ends.
Fear coiled in his gut as he considered that something bad might have befallen her. Surely, if she were lost, she would scream for help, andsomeonewould find her.
“We may as well begin,” his mother said coolly.
They all began tucking into their food. Doughall piled his plate high with chicken, but Adam had lost his appetite. He could not think of eating until he knew Emily was safe.
He drummed his fingers on the table for another minute or so and then pushed his chair back abruptly and left the room. He could feel three pairs of eyes on him as he did so, but he couldn’t just sit back and do nothing.
She must be somewhere in the castle. Why can I nae shake this need to ensure she is safe?
But as he rounded the corner to the main entrance, he stiffened as Theo loped toward him through the rain from the other side of the courtyard.
“One of the stable boys thought he saw her leavin’ the castle,” Theo said urgently. “Almost an hour ago. He thought it must have been a trick of the light and didnae report it.”
Adam cursed loudly, and both men turned, watching the deluge of rain. Adam could see his breath forming in clouds before him—it had grown cold.
“Damn it to hell! Theo, I want ye to keep watch. If she returns, ensure she is looked after. Find Olivia and get her to prepare a bath.”
“She willnae have gone far,” Theo said with infuriating calm. “On foot? She cannae have traveled a great distance.”
Adam nodded but was already moving. In minutes, he was in the stables, quizzing the young boy about what he had seen. The boy was a small lad, no more than twelve. He was so intimidatedby being addressed directly by his Laird that he could not speak clearly and kept stammering.
Adam gave up, grabbed his cloak and Buck’s reins, and headed to the gates. It was dark now, the torches hissing and sputtering all around him.
“I can accompany ye, M’Laird,” Theo said, running up behind him through the downpour. “It will be a difficult search in this weather.”
“Nay. Stay here and keep watch. I have a feelin’ I ken which direction she has gone.”
Theo’s expression was one of deep concern, even with the raindrops trickling down his brow, and Adam looked down at him questioningly.
“Ye arenae thinkin’ of hurtin’ her now, are ye? Ye said ye would have done so before.”
Adam scoffed. “I didnae ken ye cared.”
“I care for ye and therefore yer bride-to-be, M’Laird.”
Adam extended his hand, and Theo shook it. “Ye have me word—nay harm will come to the lass. I willnae be civil, though. She’s a fool to have left that way, and in the middle of a blasted storm nay less.”
He pulled hard on Buck’s reins, nodded to Theo, and cantered out into the storm.
With God as me witness, I am findin’ me bride and bringin’ her back with me, where she belongs.
17
Emily was miserable.
With little knowledge of the landscape, she had become hopelessly lost. There were thick brambles and nettles all about her feet, with ferns flicking cold water all over her at intervals through the forest.
Relief flooded through her as she found herself in a clearing of sorts away from the rough foliage, but she still had no idea where she was. The rain was falling in torrents, and her body shivered violently beneath the many folds of her dress.
It was clear that her escape had been foolish, and the only logical next step was to return to the castle. Unfortunately, Emily could not recall which direction it was in. She hadn’t paid enough attention to her surroundings in her determination to flee.
Lowering herself to an upturned tree root, she sat forlornly, listening to the sounds of the forest. A rustle caught her attention, and she froze, straining her ears to make out the sound. Whatever it was, it sounded enormous.
Excellent. I am to be eaten by the Ghillie Dhu for me troubles.
