Page 112 of Claimed Highland Brides

STRAMASH

They rode into Drumacree three days later with Maegan visibly drooping. Although it was barely twilight and therefore there was still plenty of light for traveling, Delwyn knew he had to stop. He thought about maybe leaving his sister at the inn and going on by himself. After all, he didn’t know what he would find when he got to the keep. The problem was, he could not trust Maegan to stay put. For all he knew, she might go in search of Hunter. After all, she fancied herself in love with him.

“We shall rest here for tonight but we leave at first light,” he told her as they alighted their horses in the courtyard of the inn. Delwyn was glad that the abductors had refused his gold because he was able to comfortably pay for two adjoining rooms at the inn, on the ground floor. That way, they would hear anyone coming for them and escape through the kitchens.

“Understood.” Maegan walked away, skirts swishing. At the door to the inn, she stopped and turned. “I feel quite filthy. Would you have them bring me water to bathe?”

“Of course, Sister.” Delwyn immediately went in search of the innkeeper to make his requests. He thought it best that they sup in their chambers as well. Less chance of garnering attention that way that might lead to them being found.

He found the publican in the taproom, serving drinks to patrons. With a smile, he made his requests and the man hollered for his wife, who came bustling into the room, wiping her hands on a large white apron that was wrapped around her waist.

“Aye, ye need something, sir?” Her cheeks resembled shiny red apples as she smiled.

“My sister would like some water to bathe and we would like some food brought to our chambers, please.” He shook some gold into her waiting hand as he said it.

“O’course. I expect she feels quite grimy after a long journey. Whereabouts are ye from?”

Delwyn didn’t want to answer any personal questions. However, he was surprised that the publican’s wife did not recall him seeing as he’d stayed here before. But then he remembered that he had spent his time being as unobtrusive as possible so as not to draw attention to himself.

“We are just on our way home,” he said quietly, before stepping to the side so as to walk past her. “Excuse me. I also need to clean up.”

“Och aye. I’ll have my girls bring ye some hot water as well.”

“Thank you.” He kept walking even as he called behind him. He turned his head to face front and almost bumped into a woman who had blocked his path.

“Oh…” He stopped short, eyes widening as he looked at her.

“Lord Barton, we need to speak.”

He blinked at her in surprise, quite sure he’d never seen her before. She was relatively young with long clumpy hair and unusual eyes. “Who are you?”

“My name is Aifric and I need tae speak t’ye.”

“Regarding?”

To his surprise, she grabbed his arm and pulled him along to his chambers, flinging him in and closing the door behind him. He raised his hands quellingly. “Stop—I am a married man.”

The woman snorted. “I’ve nae designs on yer body, Lord Barton. I come tae warn ye.”

“Warn me? About what?”

“Yer bride will be needing yer help shortly. An’ if ye dinnae hurry, she may lose the child.”

Delwyn’s mind swirled and he sunk onto the bed in shock. “Wife…child?” He blinked at Aifric several times, unable to assimilate what she was saying. “Are you saying…? Is she…?”

The woman sighed impatiently. “Yer wife’s been taken. Ye ken by whom. O’course the castle will arrange a rescue but by the time they get here, it shall be too late. So ’tis up tae ye.”

“How do you know these things?” His breath came short and his vision went in and out with fear.

“I am a wise-woman.”

Delwyn’s brow furrowed, not really understanding. He’d heard of wise women as pertained to Scottish lore. But he had not realized they were not just a story told to impressionable children. He wondered if perhaps this was a trap set by the abductors to recapture them.

But why would they bother? Why not just come themselves? I am clearly outnumbered.

“We have nae time for yer prevaricating sir! We have tae hurry. They’re riding intae town as we speak. They wilnae stop here. Not in this town where yer wife is well known. They will pass intae the night and disappear intae the brush and ye’ll no be able tae find her.”

Delwyn’s heart beat fast and he forgot all his doubts. “What must I do? Where can I find them?”