That’s when he noticed the woman and her thick black hair. Only one lass had those beautiful curls.Keely.He threw his head back and laughed at his luck. He couldna have prayed for a better outcome. She’d come back willingly. But who was her travelling companion?
Hungry to touch her and hear her voice, he accidently stepped on some twigs. The snapping sound alerted the man next to Keely. He shot up, a dirk in his hand.
“Who are you?” the stranger asked.
“Ye’re on Sutherland lands,” Struan said calmly. “Tell me what ye’re doing with my betrothed?”
“You are Struan Sutherland?”
The fact that the stranger knew his name surprised him. “How do ye know me?’
“My name is Petro de’ Medici, I am Laird Alexander MacKay’s secretary.” He reached inside his tunic and produced a missive with the Sutherland seal on it. “Your father invited Lady MacKay to Dunrobin Castle. I am her escort.”
Why did he insist on calling her Lady MacKay? It angered Struan. Keely would be a Sutherland. His wife. “I will tell ye this only once. Keely Oliphant is betrothed to me.”
Keely stirred and sat up, rubbing her eyes. “Petro? Who are ye talking to?”
The secretary dinna have a chance to answer, she followed the direction of his gaze.
“Struan?” she asked. “What are ye doing here?”
*
By nightfall, Alexand Broc returned to the keep. Their search hadna turned up anything. Keely was well away by now, and Alex felt crazy and helpless. If anyone got in his way, they’d suffer his wrath. He ascended the stairs into the great hall where many of his soldiers were waiting.
“Milord,” Mathe met him halfway to the high table. “Did ye find her?”
Alex gave him a stern look. If his captain was asking him, then he knew none of the soldiers who’d returned had good news. “Nothing. The heavy rain likely washed away any tracks. My plan is to eat and pack enough supplies to last for a couple of weeks. I willna return again until I find my wife.”
“I will go with ye.”
“Nay, Mathe. Ye must stay here and take care of the clan. I will ask Jamie to put off his trip, and Broc and several Oliphant soldiers will accompany me south.”
“I understand, milord. There is more to tell ye.”
“What?” Alex claimed his seat at the high table and invited the captain to join him.
“I’ve questioned Leah.”
“Does she know anything?”
“The last person she saw Lady Keely with was yer secretary.”
“Where is Petro?”
“Gone, milord.”
“Gone?” Perhaps spending time with Glenna?
“The guards reported he left the keep last night with a woman named Katherine.”
Alex dinna know any maids by that name. He must check. “Bring Leah to me.”
Jamie and Broc sat down with him.
“I rode west, Alex,” Jamie said. “No one has seen her.”
Why did it take Keely leaving again in order for Alex to realize how he truly felt? That he loved and needed her? That he’d never let go of the past—that she’d lived in his heart and mind for the last five years.
