“We’ll haveto broaden our parameter. Search further out,” Theodore said as he expected at least some bit of news to reach them. Surely someone had to know something. It was just a matter of where they could find them. “I gave me word I would do everythin’ I could.”
“To what end though?”Boyd asked as he stepped closer. “We only have so much resources. Ye cannae keep the search goin' indefinitely. That would be foolish. Ye might as well set out to circumvent the globe in a hunt for them.”
As much asTheodore didn’t want to admit it, Boyd had a point. He couldn’t ask his men to leave behind their family to hunt for another’s. No, there would have to be some cut off point.
Theodore ranhis fingers through his hair as his shoulders dropped. “There’s nay way around this, is there? She’ll have to ken what is goin' on. I daenae want her to hold onto hope when there may nae be any to be had.”
“Just tellme what it is ye want me to do, and I’ll do it,” Boyd said. The conviction in his voice rang through Theodore. There was no doubt remaining in Theodore that if he would ask Boyd to travel to the ends of the earth for him, Boyd would.
Theodore’s breathcame out hard through his nose. He hated the fact that Boyd was right. The search would have to end eventually. But it didn’t have to be today.
“Send for her,”Theodore answered.
“Madison?”Boyd frowned as his eyebrows knitted with confusion.
“Aye.I think it’s best she understands what’s goin' on. I cannae have her thinkin’ she’s goin' to be reunited, when the truth might be the opposite.”
Boyd stolea step closer to Theodore and lowered his voice as it there weren’t just the two of them within the walls of the study.
“Areye sure that’s a wise idea? She’s barely startin’ to trust the quiet around here. The news might…” he trailed off as if the words eluded Boyd. “…unsettle her further.”
“She hasa right to ken what we’ve found. They are, after all, her family. Ye’d want to ken about yers, would ye nae? Then I cannae withhold that information from her. If she is to make a place here, she deserves to ken what’s become of her blood, whether it be good or bad.”
“Daenae say I dinnae warn ye,”Boyd said as he stood taller.
“Havethe servant who stayed up in the kitchen with her come to me.”
“Eliza?”
“If that’swho was kind to her and fed her when she wouldnae eat with me. I want Madison to be comfortable and a friendly face might lessen the blow.”
Boyd noddedand turned for the door. Theodore’s chest felt heavy as he turned his attention to the fire. Of course, the possibility of them still being alive was there, but it felt like a frayed silk ribbon running through his fingers.
“Me laird,”Boyd interjected as he paused with a hand on the door frame, making ready to step out.
“Aye,”Theodore answered.
“What willye tell the lass if she happens to ask if we’ll keep lookin’?”
Theodore gaze met Boyd’s.With an arched eyebrow and stern tone, Theodore answered, “That we will nae stop until we scoured every inch of the highlands. But that is as far as I will send anyone out. We’ll nae go huntin’ the earth for them.”
Boyd studiedTheodore for a long moment until the silence settled thick over them. Something in the form of respect softened Boyd’s features as he gave Theodore a somber bow of the head before stepping out of the room.
Pacingthe length of the fireplace, Theodore pondered over the words he’d use on Madison. It was a delicate matter after all, one that he wished he didn’t have to endure. But the task was laid before his feet.
Time slippedby and in a short while, the knock he had been dreading came. Theodore rolled his shoulders back and steadied himself.
“Enter.”
The heavy doormoaned as it opened.
Madison stepped in first,her timid frame silhouetted in the doorway. Eliza followed close behind, her gentle presence clearly meant to provide comfort. In the reflection of the window, Theodore caught sight of both women—Madison's uncertainty written in every line of her posture, Eliza's steady hand resting lightly on the younger woman's shoulder.
"Ye wished to see me?"Madison asked. Her voice wasn't as fragile as her appearance. It was stronger and far more assertive than he was expecting. Eliza gave her an encouraging nod but remained near the door, respectful of the laird's space yet close enough to offer support.
“Ye may sitdown if ye wish,” Theodore said without turning to face her. It was bad enough he could feel the tension thickening as the storm clouds gathered in his mind.
“I’ll standif it’s all the same,” she answered just as defiantly as he knew she would. He let out a sigh of relief. Perhaps she wouldn’t take the news as bad as he had built up in his mind. Perhaps she would be understanding. The new revelation gave him the courage to face her.
