Mhairi contributed occasionally, her observations sharp and practical. Alpin noticed Kenina watching her with approval, as if recognizing something in the younger woman.
Finally, as servants cleared the dishes, Kenina sat back and surveyed the marked-up maps.
"He's been runnin’ this operation fer at least five years, possibly longer." Kenina's voice was calm but her eyes were hard. "That's five years of stealin’ women, sellin’ them, buildin’ wealth and connections. He has contacts in England, in the Lowlands, probably even within some of the Highland clans. Men who profit from his trade or who owe him favors."
"Which means some of the people we approach fer help might actually be workin’ with him," Alpin said.
"Exactly. We need tae be very careful about who we trust and what information we share." Peadar leaned forward, his expression serious. "I suggest we start with the clans we're absolutely certain about—the ones who have lost women and have nothing tae gain from Graham's operation. Build a core alliance first, then expand carefully."
"Agreed." Alpin looked around the table. "We'll send messengers tomorrow tae Fraser, Morrison, and Campbell. Carefully worded letters explainin’ the situation and requestin’ a meeting. Nae specifics in writin’, just enough tae pique their interest and get them here tae talk in person."
"And in the meantime?" Kenina asked.
"In the meantime, we prepare as if we're going tae war. Because ultimately, that's what this will be." Alpin's jaw tightened. "Graham willnae give up his operation peacefully. When we move against him, it needs tae be decisive. Overwhelmin’. We destroy his network in one coordinated strike before he can scatter and rebuild elsewhere."
"And me sister?" Mhairi's voice was quiet but steady. "If we're planning this assault, can we use it tae find the women he's already taken? The ones being moved through his network?"
"That's exactly what we're plannin’ tae dae," Kenina said gently. "When we hit the auction sites, we'll be lookin’ fer prisoners, fer records, fer any information about where the sold women were sent. It willnae be easy, and I cannae promise we'll find everyone, but we'll try."
Mhairi nodded, blinking against sudden tears. "Thank ye. That's all I can ask."
The meeting wound down after that, with Peadar and Kenina being shown to their chambers to rest from the journey. Alpin promised they'd continue their planning the next day, once everyone had time to think and recover.
As the dining room emptied, Alpin caught Mhairi's hand. "Come with me. Just fer a moment."
He led her through the corridors, away from the guest wings and the main halls, toward a quieter part of the castle. They entered a stone gallery—a long room with high windows that overlooked the eastern hills, used primarily for storage of old furniture and forgotten artwork.
The moment the door closed behind them, Alpin pressed Mhairi gently to the wall.
"Are ye all right?" he asked, his voice low. "That was a lot of difficult information."
"I'm fine." But her hands were shaking slightly as they came up to grip his sleeves. "Just... kennin’ me sister might be going through the same thing right now..."
"We'll find her." Alpin's hand settled at her waist, anchoring her. "I promise ye, Mhairi. We'll find her and bring her home."
"Ye cannae promise that."
"I can promise I'll try with everything I have." He leaned in close, his forehead resting against hers. "And I can promise ye willnae face any of this alone. Whatever comes next, we face it together."
Mhairi's eyes drifted closed. "Taegether."
They stood like that for a long moment, foreheads touching, breathing in sync.
The contact was restrained—just his hand at her waist, her hands on his sleeves, their heads together—but the intensity of it made Alpin's chest tight.
He wanted to kiss her. Wanted to pull her fully into his arms and promise her that everything would be fine, that they'd save everyone who needed saving, that nothing bad would ever touch her again.
But he couldn't promise those things. And standing there, in this moment of quiet connection, felt more important somehow than any words he could offer.
Footsteps echoed in the corridor outside—servants, probably, going about their duties. Alpin stepped back reluctantly, and Mhairi straightened, smoothing her skirts and taking a steadying breath.
"We should get back," she said. "Before people start wonderin’ where we've gone."
"Aye." Though Alpin made no move toward the door. "Mhairi?"
"Aye?"
"Ye did well today. With Peadar and Kenina. Ye held yer own in those discussions, contributed valuable insights. I want ye tae ken that."
