Page 64 of The Highlander’s Kilted Affair

“Well, it’s nae every day I get the chance tae dae that, so I’m taking the opportunity,” Audor replied playfully.

Once Benedict reached the bottom, the two brothers faced each other. Audor gave him a satisfactory nod. “Faither would have been proud, braither.”

“And maither would have been teary,” Benedict countered.

“Indeed.”

In sync with each other’s thoughts as they always had been, the brothers took a moment to remember their parents and acknowledge their absence. These important occasions always brought it home more impactfully. There had been a few times before hand where they had both felt it deeply, but none as important as this.

Audor took a steep breath in, and releasing it in a long sigh, he slapped Benedict’s upper arm.

“Well, braither. Let us get going. Everyone is at the chapel waiting.”

As they walked from the castle towards the chapel, Audor said. “Perhaps we ought tae play a little trick on Evelyn. We should swap places.” He grinned.

“Nae a chance,” Benedict replied. “Besides, I think we’ve done enough swapping fer a lifetime.”

The priest was standing outside the chapel doors as they approached, and smiling warmly at them both, he greeted the brothers respectfully. As was custom, the ceremony would take place outside the chapel, and then he and Evelyn would go in to greet their guests as newlyweds.

“The chapel is already full,” Father McKensy said. “I dae hope ye are nae expecting any more guests.”

“Only me bride, Faither,” Benedict quipped back. “In fact, she ought tae be here⁠—”

Benedict halted speaking when he saw a very worried Killian and Yvaine rushing up the hill towards them.

Elbowing his brother, Benedict growled, “Something is wrong.”

Audor looked round to see the two approach, and then muttered, “Och, dear God.”

“What is it?” Audor demanded, once Killian and Yvaine were in hearing distance.

“She’s missing,” Yvaine cried breathlessly. “Evelyn is missing. Me faither is frantic with worry. We’ve searched the castle and cannae find her anywhere.”

Benedict looked at Killian. “Where have ye checked?”

Killian looked deeply worried. “Everywhere, Benedict. I’ve had the guards search the stables, the barns, the gardens, the kitchen. We’ve checked the bedchambers, all the rooms, in fact, everywhere. She’s nowhere tae be found.”

Without waiting another second, Benedict left them all standing there, and bolted back toward the castle. His long legs took huge strides as panic drove him on. He could hear the panting of those following, but they were still some distance behind him.

Upon reaching the castle, he turned towards them as they caught him up. “We need tae split up. She has tae be here somewhere.”

At this point, Donald, who looked terrified, ran out into the courtyard where they were gathered.

“Benedict and I will take the bedchambers,” Audor declared. “Killian, round up some soldiers and check the courtyard and all the outer houses. Also, order them tae search the kitchens and basement. Donald. Yvaine. Ye check every room on the main floor.”

With instructions given, everyone ran in different directions. Upon reaching the staircase, Benedict launched up them two at a time. Once at the top, he didn’t waste a second, and immediately headed into the first bedchamber on his left.

“I’ll take the right side,” Audor called, before disappearing into a room.

The brothers opened door after door, running inside while calling out Evelyn’s name. They moved furniture, opened wardrobes, and looked under beds.

“Evelyn. Evelyn,” Benedict cried. “Yell if ye can hear me voice.”

But each time he stayed perfectly still to try and hear any sound, the only reply was silence.

It took twenty minutes to complete the task, and eventually, the brothers met at the end of the corridor.

“Nae joy,” Audor panted breathlessly.