‘And the plaid?’
He squinted and paused. ‘Could have been a MacDonnell or a Fraser, maybe.’
A Fraser?Ice chilled her veins.
‘Which way?’
‘My lady?’ Sean asked.
‘Which way did he go? Leave by?’
‘Headed right back down where he’d come up from. To the village, I would guess.’
‘How long ago?’
He blushed and dropped his gaze. ‘Brought it by this morn, but I forgot. Mare was on the loose and I tucked it away only to remember it when I saw Tressa. I was distracted. My apologies.’
Hours had passed. ‘Bring me my mount. Make haste! I must try to find him.’
‘But, my lady, you cannot go alone.’
‘I can and I will. Tell the laird that I have gone to the village to see the healer.’
He shifted on his feet.
‘Now go,’ Moira ordered, her tone sharp and unyielding in the panic of anxiety that pumped through her. She had to find this man. She had to know what he knew and how he knew it before he ruined everything.
‘What do you mean she’s gone?’ Rory growled. He glared down at the lad who dared give him the news he surely didn’t wish to hear, especially with dusk but an hour away and a storm settling in. He could see the darkening clouds off in the distance headed their way. It wouldn’t be long.
Sean cowered. ‘She ordered me to ready her horse, my laird, which I did. I dinna believe I could refuse her. She went to the village for a visit with the healer.’
‘So why did she not just say as much to me?’
The lad didn’t answer, but his face flushed with colour, and Rory leaned closer to him. ‘Spit it out, lad. Why?’
He squared his shoulders and straightened up. ‘She was upset by the note, my laird. I dinna believe she was travelling to see the healer, but to find the messenger who brought the letter.’
‘What letter?’ he demanded.
Tressa chimed in. ‘Sean was given a note by messenger this morn, and I brought it to my lady later in the day. She opened it and was in quite a state. Wanted to know who brought it, so I told her to ask Sean.’ She worried her hands. ‘I did not think she would go after the man, especially not in her—’ She bit her lip, faltered and blushed.
Lord above.Why was this taking so long? He didn’t have time for this. ‘In her what, Tressa?’
Her brow wrinkled. ‘I’m not sure, my laird, but I think she may be—’ her voice dropped to a whisper and her beet red cheeks deepened to scarlet ‘—with child.’
Joy and anguish gripped him at once and he felt weak in the knees. Uncle Leo rested a hand on his shoulder. She might be carrying his son even now and be in danger. He righted himself, nodded and shoved his fear aside. Finding her safe and alive was most important. ‘Get my horse. Ready the carriage. Get Angus and a few men from the house. We must find her. Now.’
Once the servants departed, Uncle faced him. ‘You and I both know you are not well enough to ride. Let me take the men to find her. You stay back.’
‘You know full well I will do no such thing. If she...’ He swallowed, faltering on the words with the emotion filling him. ‘If she carries my bairn, I can do nothing else but go and find her. Not only for her own sake but because she carries the future of this clan. You know that.’
‘I know that, but I had to try. You are my nephew, and I cherish you above all.’
‘I know that, Uncle.’ He hugged him and mounted his stallion as soon as it was brought to him. ‘Will you stay here in case she returns before us?’
Uncle nodded. ‘The clan will find and protect her. She is family.’
‘Aye,’ he answered before galloping off in search of his wife and the babe she carried: the very future of Clan McKenna.
