“Nay,” Alex said without looking at him. He took a step closer and lowered his voice. “If I find out ye are behind this, a wounded arm will be the least of yer worries.”
MacGee’s jaw ticked, but he nodded. “Ye must believe me, I would never do such a thing under yer roof.”
Alex straightened and faced the hall. Chairs scraped back in a nervous stutter, while the smell of spilled ale and hot wax hung heavy. Servants froze mid-step, caught between orders that had not yet been given and fear of breaking a silence that felt like a wall.
“Everybody out,” Alex ordered.
No one moved.
“I willnae repeat meself.” He did not raise his voice. He did not need to. “Out. Now.”
The command filled the hall, and conversation died in throats. The men gathered their wives, and the mothers tooktheir children by the hands. The musicians stood with their instruments hugged close like work tools, not toys. Boots thudded. Skirts brushed stone. A bench tipped and clattered, and no one righted it.
Grandmamma rose under the balcony, cane planted, eyes on Alex. He met her gaze. She nodded, small and grave, and stood.
Lady Bryden stood near the fireplace, scanning faces with a hand pressed hard to her mouth. He caught her eye.
“Ye can go with Grandmamma,” he said. “I will find ye both later.”
She swallowed and nodded, then followed the people leaving through the main doors.
When the last guest crossed the threshold, the echo of the crowd spilled into the passageway and then faded.
The hall felt larger while the fire snapped and settled. Two guards hovered near the side door, uncertain.
Alex pointed to them. “Bar the front doors. Two men on the balcony. Nay one enters, and nay one leaves without permission. Everyone must remain in the courtyard.”
“Aye, me Laird.”
He turned to the maid. “Who spoke to the nurse last?”
“I did,” she said. “She said that Bettie wanted to show Katie the ribbons again. They were in the anteroom near the gallery.”
Alex’s jaw tightened. He didn’t have time to think about the layout of the castle. He couldn’t even think properly about anything except his children and Erica.
He pointed to a runner. “Go to the nursery. Count every child and see if the girls are there. Then to the kitchens. Ask if any messenger came for the lady or the nurse.”
“Aye, me Laird.” The runner sprinted away.
Alex looked at the guard nearest him. “Fetch the nurse. Now.”
The man moved, quick and sure.
MacGee lingered at the edge of the hall, hands empty, shoulders squared like a man bracing for a blow he could not parry.
“MacMillan,” he said, voice low. “I swear on me faither’s name, I didnae send any note to the lass. If someone used me seal, then we have a problem. But I promise ye, I have nothing to do with this.”
“Ye will prove yerself later,” Alex said, eye already on the side door, on the scuff in the rushes where a heel had dragged. Small.That of a child. “For now, ye will hold yer men at the outer wall and keep them visible. Any man who tries to slip in will think twice.”
“Aye,” MacGee said. He bowed once and left.
Alex moved to the side door. He crouched, touched the scuff, then the floor near it. It was only a mark, but it told a small truth. Someone had gone fast.
He rose and looked back at the guards who had edged closer for orders. “Close the shutters of the hall windows,” he instructed. “Light every corridor on this floor. Nay shadows.”
“Aye, me Laird.”
The nurse hurried in, cap askew, eyes wild. “I only l-looked away f-for a moment,” she stuttered. “They were plaiting ribbons. Bettie said she had to fetch the good comb. I told them to stay. I did. I looked, and the door was moving and?—”
