Highland Challenge (Highland Generations Book 1) Read online

  “I am so sorry, Andrew,” Mareal said, her voice wavering as if on the verge of tears. “I should have kept a better eye on Elise.”

  “Elise is my responsibility, na yours. My uncle entrusted her to my care, and I was remiss in my duties, so am to blame, na you,” Andrew replied. “I should have scoured the keep from top to bottom when you mentioned talking to a man you dinna know at the funeral. I should have sought him out and demanded to know why he was here, rather than waiting for him to make himself known to me.”

  “I should never have let her out of my sight,” Mareal blurted.

  “What do you mean? Is there something more about this that you are na telling me?” Andrew’s brow furrowed as he studied the lass. “If the two of you were headed to your chamber together, how did Elise manage to disappear without you knowing it?” He prayed his cousin was safe, but he was quickly losing faith.

  “While I was looking for Glenna, I sent Elise on ahead to my chamber and told her to wait for me there,” Mareal explained. “I entered my room, expecting to find her, but instead I found chairs upturned and things from the table strewn on the floor. I also saw a message on the wall, that appeared to be written in blood.” She sucked in a gulp of air and brought the back of her hand to her face, catching the tears rolling down her cheeks. “It said, heed my warning.”

  “Why did you na mention this immediately?” Andrew cursed, then pinned Mareal with his stare.

  After taking a moment to compose herself, Mareal peered up at Andrew, wringing her hands. “I hoped that Elise had gone to her own chamber rather than mine, but when I checked, she wasna there. That is what I was doing when you found me,” she said. “Now, I fear what James said might be true. Someone came for me and took Elise in my stead. We are of the same age and do look alike. I am so sorry, Andrew. If any harm comes to her, or worse—”

  “There were many who attended the funeral, then lingered behind to vie for m’lady’s hand.” James stepped forward and cupped Andrew’s shoulder. “You are but one man and had no reason to think Lady Elise was in danger.”

  “There is a lot more to this than you know, James. I shouldna have rushed off in search of the missing men without making certain the women were safe.” Andrew slammed a balled fist against the wall. “I should never have underestimated Kayden, or dismissed the presence of strangers milling about the keep the way I did.”

  “The castle was well guarded, as were the women. No one had cause to take your cousin, unless—” James hesitated and dragged his hand across his chin.

  “Unless what?” Andrew asked.

  “I doubt Kayden would be fool enough to enter a castle where he is so well known. He likely sent someone else to carry out the abduction for him,” James began. “You must admit what Lady Mareal said is true. There is a striking resemblance between the two women, and there were a lot of strangers in the keep for the funeral. Maybe the person responsible mistook Lady Elise for Lady Mareal.”

  “All the more reason for me to be extra diligent,” Andrew snapped. He had not really thought about it until now, but the two women, though opposite in so many ways, could pass for sisters. “Laird MacCurtry had already sent out missives stating he was in search of a husband for Mareal before he died, so I assumed Forbes was one of those contacted. If it turns out he is responsible for Elise’s disappearance, I will never forgive myself.”

  “So many came to pay their respects to my father, and you had no reason to suspect Callum Forbes was here for anything other than to offer his condolences or to court me.” Mareal sucked in a sharp breath, then glanced away, tears welling in her eyes.

  “We must believe that Elise is alive.” Andrew slid two fingers under her chin and lifted until their eyes met. “Mayhap she wandered off and will return to her chamber any minute.”

  “You dinna believe that any more than I do,” she sniffled.

  While doing his utmost to remain calm and offer comfort to Mareal, he held little hope his cousin was still in the castle. He could not understand if Mareal was the target of the abduction, why they took Elise. It was true the two women had the same hair color and bore a strong resemblance to one another, but if Kayden had secretly entered the castle in search of Mareal, or sent one of his men to kidnap her, surely, they would not take Elise by mistake.

  Andrew cursed beneath his breath, again chastising himself for running off to investigate Owen’s death when he should have been watching over his charge and his cousin. He also could not dismiss the possibility—albeit slim—that if Kayden intentionally took Elise, it could be his twisted idea of a punishment for his interference. Either way, he held himself responsible for what happened.

  “Should I have Seamus organize a garrison of men to search for Lady Elise?” James asked.

  “He has yet to return to the castle. We found the bodies of the missing warriors in the forest. Seamus and the others were seeing to the remains and are bringing them back to MacCurtry castle.”

  Mareal gasped and staggered backward. “Their remains? What did Kayden do to them?”

  “After he slaughtered them like pigs, he decapitated them and placed their heads on pikes, and left a similar warning to the one you found in your chamber.” He saw no point in keeping what they found a secret. Kayden was out of control and Andrew believed he would stop at nothing to get what he wanted. Mareal needed to understand how serious the situation was, and take the necessary precautions to protect herself.

  “I knew my cousin had a dark side, and wanted to be laird, but I never dreamed it would come to this.” She wiped the back of her hand across her damp cheek. “Kayden’s quarrel is with my da and me. When he realized the mistake, why did ne na let Elise go?”

  “For a variety of reasons,” Andrew muttered. “We canna be sure it was a mistake.”

  “It had to be me he was after. He doesna even know Elise,” Mareal said. “It is my fault she is missing.”

  “Kayden hates me too.” The message written in blood on the boulder flashed through his mind. “You are na responsible for this, Kayden is.” Andrew turned to James. “Organize a search of the castle while we await Seamus’s return. If Forbes is still lurking about, I want to speak to him.” He knew the likelihood of finding the man was slim, but he could leave no stone unturned and nothing to chance. “Notify me as soon as Seamus enters the keep. In the meantime, I will stay with Lady Mareal.” While he wanted nothing more than to join the search, he was not about to let her out of his sight again.

  “Right away, m’lord.” James bowed, then ran down the hallway to do Andrew’s bidding.

  “What if they dinna find her? What if—” Mareal could no longer control her emotions and began to sob. “They have to find her alive, they must. If taken by mistake and Kayden realizes he has Elise and na me, there is no telling what he might do, or if he will come back to right the wrong.”

  Andrew hooked his arm around her waist, then pulled her into a tight embrace. This was not the strong, stubborn, willful Mareal he knew. He had never seen this vulnerable side of her before and it tugged at his heart. “You will be safe, and we will find Elise. Kayden will pay for his treachery, and may God have mercy on his soul when next we meet.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  “Are you going to say anything to me, or do you just plan to wear a rut in the floor with your pacing?” Mareal asked Andrew, lifting the shroud of silence between them.

  Andrew paused and returned Mareal’s somber gaze. “What do you want me to say? It has been at least three hours since James began the castle search. With the number of men helping him, how long can it take?” He was not deliberately ignoring her and spoke a little harsher than he intended. “Every minute is precious if we hope to find my cousin.”

  Mareal left her perch on a stone ledge beside the window and placed her hand on his forearm. “I feel horrible about Elise’s disappearance and the men who were slain, but we mustna give up hope and continue to pray.”

  “I have done naught but pray since this
nightmare began.” Andrew tugged his arm free. “But clearly the Lord isna listening.”

  “We have completed the search, m’lord.” James strode into the chamber.

  “Any sign of Elise or Forbes?” Andrew hoped for the best, but feared the worst.

  “Nay. We dinna find them, and no one we spoke with saw them leave the castle.” James lowered his gaze. “I wish I had better news.”

  “As do I.” Although he hoped they would find Elise unharmed, Andrew also feared they might discover his cousin’s tortured body hidden in the bowels of the castle. “Are you certain the men looked everywhere?”

  “Rest assured, every corner of the keep was inspected and na a stone was left unturned, but our search came up empty,” James said. “I have dispatched a garrison of men to search the crofts, the kirk, and the bailey grounds.”

  “Good. Has Seamus returned yet?” While extending their exploration might prove more fruitful, Andrew had his doubts the outcome would be any different. Too much time had passed since Elise’s disappearance, and by now, she could be anywhere. If she was even alive.

  “Aye. I just spoke to him a few minutes ago. After he delivered the bodies of the slain men to the kirk in preparation for burial, he came straight to the castle.”

  “What of their families, have they been notified?” Andrew dreaded the thought of telling the wives and bairns the sad news. But as acting laird, the onus fell upon his shoulders. He was the one who dispatched the men and felt personally responsible for their demise.

  “Aside from Owen, none of the others had wives or families, thank the Lord.” Before James could explain further, the door to Mareal’s chamber swung open, striking the wall with a thud.

  “We are back Andrew, and James filled us in on what happened.” Seamus lumbered into the room, then glanced at Mareal. “Praise the Almighty that Lady Mareal is safe, but we must na waste time talking if we hope to save Lady Elise. What are your orders?”

  Mareal rushed over to where the men stood. “I wish it were me that bastard took and na Elise.” She peered up at Andrew. “Seamus is right, we must na waste time standing around. What are your orders and when do we leave?”

  Instead of answering her questions, Andrew addressed Seamus. “We will start by going to Billingsworth’s castle in search of Elise. Organize the men, see they are heavily armed, and meet me in the bailey.”

  “Right away.” Seamus bowed, then exited the chamber.

  “What of me?” Mareal clasped Andrew’s upper arm. “How can I help?”

  “You will stay here until we return.” Andrew had no time to argue with her, and he had no intention of letting her come along.

  “If na for me, Elise would be here right now. I canna sit here doing naught.” Mareal inclined her chin in defiance.

  “That is exactly what you will do.” Andrew grasped her by the shoulders, steered her toward the bed, then forced her to sit. “Stay here and out from underfoot while we go after Elise. I have enough to worry about, without having to keep an eye on you as well.”

  She sprang to her feet. Standing toe-to-toe with Andrew, she glowered up at him. “I can ride, wield a sword, and shoot an arrow straighter than many of my father’s men, and you know it. You need na fash, I can take care of myself.”

  “Enough.” Andrew turned to James. “You will stand guard, and under no circumstances are you to let Mareal out of this chamber, or out of your sight,” Andrew demanded. “Lock her in if you must, or if necessary, put her in the dungeon, but she is na to follow us. Is that clear?”

  “You have my word she willna leave her chamber,” James said.

  “I am na your prisoner!” she argued.

  “That is where you are mistaken, lass.” Andrew replied adamantly. “If putting you under lock and key is the only way to make you stay put, that is what we will do.” While he understood her frustration, and he got no pleasure from upsetting her, he could not protect Mareal from Kayden and search for Elise at the same time. He extended his open palm in her direction and wiggled his fingers. “I’ll have the key to your chamber. Now.”

  As the lady of the keep, he knew Mareal carried a ring of keys that opened all the doors and the locked cabinets of the castle. When she did not hand them over as he requested, he took a step in her direction. “I dinna have time for this. Give me the keys,” he demanded.

  After a moment’s pause, she plucked the ring from the sash around her waist and placed it across Andrew’s palm. “Happy?” She did not bother to hide the hint of sarcasm in her voice.

  “Aye.” He handed the ring to James. “See these are kept in a safe place and out of her reach.” He spun on his heel, and left the chamber before she could protest further, slamming the door behind him.

  ****

  James locked the door and tucked the keys into a small leather pouch he wore suspended from his trews. An act that not only frustrated Mareal, but infuriated her as well. She strongly believed that Andrew had no right to hold her prisoner in her own home, or to forbid her to accompany them when she was the target of the abduction and not Elise.

  Furious, she stomped to the window and peered out, catching a glimpse of Andrew as he trotted down the castle steps and joined the members of the rescue party assembled in the bailey. “I have as much right as anyone to go along. Mayhap more.”

  “Dinna get any ideas in that comely head of yours. You heard what Andrew said. And I have no intention of disobeying his orders.” James joined her at the window, and together they watched the men ride out of sight. “Best you busy yourself with something, I am sure they willna be back any time soon.”

  “You are right, of course.” Aware she needed a plan, she smiled up at him, making certain her voice remained sweet. “I must leave the rescue up to the men of the clan.” She moved toward the bed, then sat upon the edge.

  “I am glad you understand,” James said. “It will make things much easier and more pleasant for both of us.” He strode to a chair beside the door and sat. “But in case you change your mind, I will sit here.”

  “Do as you wish,” she said, then picked up a piece of needlework from the bedside table. Sewing was not a pastime she enjoyed. Her interests and talents lay in the healing arts, horses, and more scholarly endeavors, but her father insisted she learn, so appeased him by taking lessons from one of the maids.

  Mareal released a shuddered breath, the thought of her father and his passing, bringing tears to her eyes. She still found it hard to believe he was gone, and that Andrew—a man she secretly adored and resented at the same time—would decide her fate, her future.

  A loud rap at the door disturbed her thoughts, her attention quickly diverted when James sprang to his feet with his sword in hand.

  “Who is it?” he asked.

  “Moira. I have a missive for Lord Fraser, but he isna here,” a woman said. “The man who delivered it stated it was urgent, so I thought it best I bring it to you.”

  James tossed Mareal his sword, then raised his hand. “Stay back and dinna be afraid to use that.”

  Baffled, she studied the weapon in her hand. “Why would I need this? Moira has been a maid at this castle since afore either of us were born.”

  “Kayden knows that too. It could be a ruse to gain entry, and I willna take any chances.” James unlocked the door and opened it a crack. “Are you alone?”

  “Aye. It doesna take more than one person to deliver a missive.” When James opened the door wider, Moira handed him a folded piece of vellum. “I know it is addressed to Lord Andrew, but he told us you were in charge during his absence, so thought it best I deliver it immediately.”

  “You did the right thing, Moira.” James lifted the seal and began to read the message, his brow furrowed. “When hell is frozen over,” he hissed, then folded the note and looked at the maid. “Has the messenger left?”

  “Aye, m’lord. Do you wish me to wait while you write a reply? I can have one of the men from our clan deliver it for you.”

  James sho
ok his head. “Nay. That willna be necessary. Return to your chores, but let me know if you notice anyone lurking about or see anything you deem suspicious.”

  Moira bobbed a curtsy and backed out of the room. “I will keep my eyes open, m’lord.” She turned and headed down the hallway.

  Mareal dropped the sword on the bed, then with her hand outstretched hurried over to where James stood. “What does the message say?”

  “Nothing you need fash about.” After James locked the door, he faced her. “Return to your sewing.”

  “I insist you show me the note.” Mareal planted her feet and glowered at James. “Andrew may be acting laird, but I am still mistress of this castle.” When he refused to hand over the message, she snatched it from his hand before he could tuck it away.

  “You try my patience, Lady Mareal.” James took a menacing step in her direction. “Give it back.”

  “And you try mine.” She darted to the far side of the room and quickly read the note. “It is clear what we must do. Kayden has promised to let Elise go if I surrender myself over to him.” She crumpled the message and caught James’s stare. “I need but a minute to prepare myself to leave.”

  “You are going nowhere,” he replied directly. “Return to your sewing and forget any notion you might have of trying to sneak out.”

  “You read the note. Kayden has Elise, and will kill her if I dinna surrender myself to him,” she argued.

  “Kayden is a snake and canna be trusted to keep his word,” James said. “He can promise the moon, but his word means naught. Turn yourself over to him and he will have two prisoners instead of one.”

  While tempted to say more, Mareal knew James was as stubborn as she was. She had to admit that his remarks about her cousin made sense. Kayden was a viperous, deceitful scoundrel. However, if there was any chance at all he might honor his word and let Elise go, she had to try.

  Mareal sat on the bed and resumed her sewing. She had no intention of staying put, but would need to come up with a way to get by her guard, preferably without doing him bodily harm.