“Our father! He’s done it again,” Avery explained, her voice thick with tears. She paused for a moment to catch her breath. “He kidnapped both of us. His plan is to ask you and Darragh for money in exchange for our safe return.”
“How did you get away?” Daniel gripped her by the shoulders and held her steady.
She shook her head as she tried her best to stop crying. “We were both trying to escape, but Father grabbed her before we could get through the door.” She swallowed hard. “I didn’t want to leave her, Daniel, I swear. She made come and get help while she stayed behind.”
“I believe ye, lass,” Daniel said in a soothing voice as his heart pounded in chest.
“What the devil?!” Darragh cried angrily as he stepped into the castle and saw his wife being held by Daniel.
“George has taken Melissa,” Daniel hurriedly explained as he let Avery run to her husband’s arms.
“I managed to escape,” Avery cried and buried her face in her husband’s chest. “But I had to leave Melissa behind. We need to get her back! I don’t trust father.”
“Is Melissa all right?” Daniel quickly asked as his fears began to grow. There was no telling what George would do to Melissa if he’d gone as far as holding his daughters hostage.
“She was fine when I left,” Avery replied as she swallowed her tears. “Darragh’s been giving me self-defense classes,” she explained. “So, I managed to undo my bonds with Melissa’s help and got out. But Melissa was right behind me when George held her back. She isn’t harmed yet, but I’d hurry if I was you.”
“Does he have any weapons? How many people were involved?” Daniel asked as a plan began to form in his mind.
“He has a gun, but I think it was only Ewan that helped him,” Avery said as she regained her composure and stood on her own. “He was the one that took Melissa away from the castle while George took me.”
Daniel felt his anger growing as he swore under his breath. “Where is he keeping her?” He closed his eyes in anguish and bit back the bitter regret he felt from not dealing with Ewan sooner. It suddenly all made sense why the money had gone missing. George must have been involved from the start.
“In the old woodcutter’s cottage in the woods,” Avery responded. “But it’s likely that because of my escape, he could change locat—”
“No,” Daniel quickly interrupted her. “He wants money, so he will use Melissa as bait. If he hurts her, then I won’t have any reason to give him any money. So, he will keep her alive, in a place where I will expect her to be,” he explained, trying to think like George.
The viscount was driven by greed, so he’d more than likely stick to his original plan.
“What will we do?” Darragh asked.
“Where’s Ewan?” Daniel addressed Avery once again. “I want to know exactly what happened when they took Melissa from here.”
“He was only in the cottage for a short while before leaving with the ransom notes. I’m not sure if he will try to deliver them himself or get someone else to do it.”
“I need some time to think,” Daniel murmured. “I’m going to the barracks quickly to make sure that Ewan hadnae gone there.” He looked at Darragh. “Will ye come with me once I’ve been to the barracks?”
Darragh nodded. “Aye. There are a few things I need to check on quickly, but we can leave within the hour if yer ready. The sooner we act, the better.”
“Please bring her back,” Isla said, stepping forward and wringing her hands in front of her dress.
Daniel had completely forgotten the maid had been there until she spoke up.
“I wasnae that good to her when she first arrived,” Isla explained. “But I’ve come to love her as if she were me own daughter.” Her eyes filled with tears. “Please bring her back, Me Laird.”
“Dinnae worry, Mrs. Horn, I intend to.”
Daniel stepped outside and took a walk through the cherry orchard. He knew that none of the men would be at the barracks, and it was unlikely that Ewan would go there. He needed a minute to compose himself and come up with a plan to get back the woman he loved. Memories of Melissa and all the moments they had shared flooded his mind. The sun was beginning to set, and the cool afternoon breeze was giving way to the icy chill of a typical Scottish night.
The weather was unsettling him even further. He blamed himself for leaving Melissa alone at the castle. He knew he just wouldn’t be able to forgive himself if anything happened to her. He dropped to his knees, looking up at the rapidly darkening sky, and closed his eyes, his anguished cries echoing into the night.
“Why?” he asked the sky in anger. “Why did this need to happen now that we are so close?”
Daniel realized that he simply couldn’t live without Melissa, nor did he want to. He was trying his utmost to not give up hope, and he was prepared to give up everything he owned in exchange for her safe return. He wished he had taught her more self-defense, perhaps she would have been able to get away with Avery. But he had let himself be lured away by Ewan instead of spending more time with her.
He suddenly stood and grabbed his sword, slashing at the trunk of a nearby tree in an attempt to release some of the anger and frustration that coursed through his veins.
“That’s quite a workout.” Avery’s voice interrupted him as he continued to deface the tree “May I?” she asked as she came up and stood at his side. “I thought I would come and check on you while Darragh is busy setting things in motion. I know you want to leave as soon as possible.” She wrapped her arms around her middle. “I also know that the barracks will be empty right now and that you needed a minute to yourself.”
