Page 185 of Claimed Highland Brides

“The first thing we should do is to find Aifric,” Daividh said.

“Why? Will she be able to divine where Aileen is?”

Daividh shook his head. “I dinnae ken, but the note we got was apparently sent by her. We mun’ find oot if it truly came from her or from Gilroy.”

“I think ’tis fairly obvious it came from Gilroy.”

“Ye’re no’ thinking. If Gilroy merely intercepted them as they rode to Aifric, it means he had no real plan. If, on the other hand, he wrote the note, then this is an orchestrated grab, and he means something more than just to have ye fashit.”

Barclay took a deep, shaky breath. “Ye’re right. I wasnae thinking. I would like very much to hope that my step-uncle isnae thinking but…” He shook his head.

Daividh nodded. “Aye. It’d be good to ken for sure.”

“We mun’ hurry though because we dinnae ken how much time she has afore he does something to her.”

Daividh spurred his horse into a gallop.

* * *

“Yer wife is close. I dinnae ken where, though. I didnae summon her to me, but I sensed her approach,” Aifric told them.

Barclay and Daividh exchanged glances. “So ye’re saying she’s in Drumacree?” Barclay asked.

Aifric nodded slowly. “Or close.”

“Where has Gilroy MacFarland been seen lately? Anywhere in town?”

“He and his son have eaten at the inn. But I dinnae ken where they’re staying.”

“Thank ‘e, Aifric. If’n ye think o’ anything else, please let us ken.”

“Aye.”

They left her home, resolving to go to the inn and ask the publican if he had any idea of Gilroy’s whereabouts. “Ye ken, he could be watching us,” Barclay said.

“Aye, he may. ’Tis best if he kens ye’re no’ alone.”

“But what if he hurts her?”

Daividh turned to face him. “He isnae going to do tha’. He wants ye, no’ her. If he means to get Inchcree back, ye’re the one he must get rid of.”

“Perhaps all he wants is revenge on me. He can achieve tha’ easily by killing her.”

“Perhaps, but even if he does, he will want ye there…to see.”