Page 80 of Seduction in a Kilt

CHAPTER 35

Weary from the long hours of meetings, Liam bounded up the stairs to Ivy’s chamber, eager to see her and tell her their plans for the trap in detail.

“Ivy, I—” he began as he opened the door and stepped inside, expecting to see her by the fire waiting for him. But the fire was almost out, and the chamber was empty. Immediately, a sense of dread came over him. He ran to the wardrobe and opened it. Her cloak was gone, her riding boots too.

So, she’s gone outside. But why? And where?She should ken better than tae take any chances at this time, he thought, panic starting to set in. He checked his own room, but it was empty too. He ran upstairs to the infirmary and burst in through door.

Effie looked up from the young girl she was treating to see who it was. “Liam,” she exclaimed with surprise, “whatever’s wrong?”

“I’m sorry tae barge in, Effie, but have ye seen Ivy anywhere?” he asked hurriedly.

She shook her head, her expression turning to one of concern. “Nay, I havenae see her all day. Is she—” she began, but Liam had already bolted. He ran down the stairs and began looking in every room he passed, the chapel, the library, the reception rooms and parlors where guests were welcomed. She was nowhere to be seen.

With his heart pounding in his chest, he ran to Knox’s study, knowing the laird had been heading back there with Magnus after the meetings. He did not wait to knock but simply ran inside. His two friends were sitting by the fire talking and they both looked up when he barged in and stood, looking at them in agitation. Both men jumped out of their seats and rushed over to him.

“What is it, Liam, what’s happened?” Knox asked worriedly.

“’Tis Ivy. I cannae find her anywhere in the castle, and she’s taken her cloak and boots. I think she’s gone out somewhere. I’m scared somethin’s happened tae her, Knox. I need help searchin’ fer her.”

“All right,” Knox said without hesitation. “Magnus, go and gather the men out front. We’ll organize search parties right away,” he commanded.

“Aye, straightway,” Magnus agreed and hurried out.

“Did ye check the stables?” Knox asked Liam.

“Nae yet,” he admitted.

“Let’s go there now and see if she’s taken a horse.” Knox reached for his coat and shrugged it on as they hurried out of the door and headed for the stables at a sprint.

As they ran over to the stables, Liam could not help but look up at the baleful red moon hanging low in the sky above them. Its bloody color and the red tinge covering everything around them seemed like a portent of doom, and he shivered with fear for Ivy under its baleful eye.

They arrived at the stables a few minutes later and rushed inside.

“Has Lady Ivy taken out her horse?” Liam demanded of the grooms.

“Aye, she took her mare about an hour or so ago,” one of the lads answered, looking up from polishing a saddle.

“Was she alone?”

“Nay, she was with that Evander feller. They said somethin’ about goin’ tae the crossroads tae check on somethin’,” the groom informed them.

“Jaysus!” Liam cried in torment. “He’s abducted her, and he’s takin’ her back tae her brother and Gael!”

“We cannae be sure about that until we find them,” Knox tried to reassure him, but it did no good. He was convinced of it.

“Saddle our horses immediately and meet us in the yard in front of the keep,” Knox ordered the groom. “There’s nae a moment tae waste.”

“Aye, melaird” The groom sprang into action, while Liam and Knox ran to the front courtyard, where a small army of armed guards were gathering around Magnus, who was barking orders.

Knox quickly explained to his right-hand man what they had found out from the groom, that Ivy had left earlier with Evander, and that they were probably heading for the crossroads.

“What on earth fer?” Magnus exclaimed. “He never told us that.”

“He’s taken her! I kent he wasnae tae be trusted,” Liam growled, terrified for Ivy’s safety. “He’s been workin’ fer MacAlister and Gael all along, the double-crossing swine! I should never have left her alone with him.” He was in an agony of fear and fury, at himself for failing to protect her from her own trusting nature. He was burning to go after Evander before anything bad happened to Ivy.

The laird gave orders for the ground and castle to be thoroughly searched then said to Liam, “We’ll take the rest of the men with us tae search the route tae the crossroads.”

“Aye, but can we hurry? There’s a chance of catchin’ up tae them.”