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So when two men she didn’t recognize strode into the hall just as they finished the midday meal, the hairs on her arms stood up straight. Aidan’s and Graeme’s expressions did not help alleviate her worry.

“Who are they?”

“Lawrence’s men. Though I don’t see him, which is unusual.”

“Greetings,” Aidan called as he and Graeme stood. “Where is Lawrence?”

The men exchanged glances. Oh God, no . . .

“Is he—”

“Lawrence is well,” one of them said. “May we have a word?”

Clarissa stood to leave, the meal having already concluded. Gillian had not been feeling well, so she would go up to see her.

Aidan reached out and took her hand. “Stay.”

“But you have matters to attend to—”

“We have matters to attend to.”

He squeezed her hand before releasing it. Pleased that he wished her to stay, she sat back down. A flurry of activity unfolded in front of her as Graeme cleared the hall, those who’d remained after the meal leaving to attend to their various duties.

“What happened?” Graeme asked as he returned to the high table.

The shorter of the two men spoke.

“A raid,” he said, his eyes darting between Graeme and Aidan. “Alec led a hot trod across the border after the perpetrators—”

Alec? Clarissa tried to remember who that might be. Ah, Lawrence’s older brother. She’d met him during her stay at their keep.

“One of the thieves was killed by one of our men—”

“Alec ordered everyone back home to Bowden Castle,” the taller man said. They were both talking at once now. “But they were attacked by the same family on their return—”

“Alec is dead.”

Clarissa gasped.

Aidan’s flexed jaw and raised shoulder were the only indication he’d heard that proclamation. Graeme, on the other hand, pounded his fist on the table. “He will be avenged—”

“There’s more.”

When the two men looked at her, Clarissa’s blood ran cold. More? Did it have to do with—

“The reivers claim Caxton is still in power. They bragged of not having to account for their crimes.”

“Still in power?”

Aidan, though he would appear calm to one who did not know him well, was seething now in anger.

“Our chief sent us here to deliver a message. Caxton is still warden and will remain as such. The Earl of Theffield had no intention of ever removing him. While he placated Douglas, he was gathering enough men to turn Theffield Castle into an impenetrable stronghold.”

“What?” she cried out, unable to stop herself. “He never intended . . .”

She clamped a hand over her mouth. But Aidan nodded his encouragement. “Go on, lass.”

Bastard.