Page 110 of Claimed Highland Brides

Nobody did.

He saddled the horse and led her out, helping Maegan onto the beast before climbing on top behind her. He turned his horse for home, a sense of relief and anticipation growing in him for every mile that they put Edinburgh behind them.

* * *

Fiona raised her eyebrow at the footman, one who she’d known since he was a boy. “Ye’re McReedy’s boy, arenae ye?” She came to stand in front of him, looking him in the eye.

“Aye, ma’am. I am.”

“McReedy the head groomsman?” Daividh looked from his wife to the footman in curiosity.

“Aye, sir.” The footman straightened up, back stiff as if he was a soldier.

“And yer name’s Alan?”

“Aye, ma’am.” He blinked at Fiona, as if eager to prove how harmless he was.

“And so how did ye come intae possession of the letter ye brought tae the hoose?”

“A man stopped me as I was returning from the market. I escorted Mistress Fitz and was weighed doon wi’ her bags. She walked ahead and disappeared tae the kitchens. The man called me, gave me the letter, and asked that I deliver it t’ye.”

“Did ye ken him?”

He looked earnestly at the laird. “No sir.”

“Mmphmm.” Daividh blinked thoughtfully. “An’ ye’ve never seen him around?”

“No sir.”

“They dinnae come near the keep usually. They save their troublemaking for the mines,” Simon cut in.

“But ye’re sure he was one o’ them?”

“Aye. I remember him from the battle…” His glance flicked to Fiona and then back to Daividh.

The laird nodded his understanding and turned away. “Thank ‘e Alan. Ye may go.”

The footman bowed to the ladies and left. Daividh heaved a sigh. “Fiona? Jamesina? Would ye leave us? Simon and I mun’ discuss next steps.”

“I’m no leaving⁠—”

“It’s our problem too⁠—”

The sisters spoke at the same time and Daividh whirled around to face them, mouth already open to protest. He shut his mouth with a click and sighed with resignation. “Alrigh’ then. Let us sit doon and make a plan.”

“We mun’ find oot where Delwyn is!” Jamesina said at once.

“How can we do tha’?”

Jamesina paced, thinking frantically. “Is the man still here? The one who delivered the letter?”

Daividh shook his head. “I doubt it.”

“Aye, but we have an address. This Angus McTavish!” Fiona stepped forward excitedly, trying to stop Jamesina mid-pace by grabbing onto her hand.

“Tha’s true!” Jamesina exclaimed. “Shall we write tae him?”

“No. I think we mun’ go tae Edinburgh ourselves. If’n Delwyn is in trouble, we dinnae ken how much time we have.”