Tòmas smirked and lifted a brow. "I willfigure something out. I always do."
"Well, I hope you figure it out with allhaste. Geordie and the other servants—indeed everyone inresidence—will search the castle and stables. If 'tis not found,I'm chasing down the Lindsays. You will remain here and watch overthe clan in my stead, brother." He stormed from the room.
"Aye, m'laird!" Tòmas called out after himwith much sarcasm.
As usual, Dugald ignored him.
After two hours of every clansmen and servantsearching the castle, outbuildings and grounds, no ruby-hilteddagger turned up.
Muttering curses, Dugald mounted his bay, amean-tempered stallion he called Beast which suited himperfectly.
Two dozen of his best soldiers rode southwith him over moors and between mountains. Chief Lindsay's holdingswere east of Perth, but he couldn't let them get that far. Theirlarge entourage had left two days ago. Considering the number ofwomen with them, they would travel slowly, whereas Dugald and hismen tore through the misty Highlands as swiftly as the red deerthey often startled. Their mounts had great endurance and were usedto this pace. 'Twas of vital importance they catch the Lindsaysbefore they reached their home, or he might never see the daggeragain.
***
"What are you doing here, Dugald?" his sisterwhispered, sending cautious glances around the common room of theWhite Ram Inn from the corner table they occupied. A plaid cowlcovered most of her dark hair as if she were trying to hide.
Dugald frowned. He and his men had riddenhard the previous day in order to reach Perth by gloaming.Fortunately for them, dusk arrived late in June. Last night, he'dhad several of his men search the town. They'd discovered theLindsays were staying at the White Ram. Then, he'd sent a missive,asking his sister to meet him in the common room. For her sake, hehoped to keep peace between the two clans.
Dugald leaned forward and pitched his voicelow. "One of the Lindsays stole the King Richard dagger, which hasbeen in our clan for generations, as you well ken."
Mairiana's green eyes widened. "What?" shewhispered. "Nay. They would not do such a thing."
"Chief Lindsay tried to buy it from me. WhenI told him it wasn't for sale at any price, he made a snide commentabout always getting what he wanted."
"That doesn't make him a thief. Did you seehim take it?"
"Nay. If I had, I wouldn't be talking to youright now, but breaking down his door instead," he said throughclenched teeth. Her beloved Alec could be the thief, but if Dugaldaccused him, Mairiana might not help him. He had to keep his witsabout him. "Mayhap not the chief, but one of his guards orservants, aye," he stated with firm conviction.
She frowned at him in stunned disbelief.
"I need for you to find out who stole it," hecontinued.
"I stay with the ladies most of the time.None of them would've taken it. I'm rarely near the guards or maleservants."
"Find out from Lady Lindsay whether the chiefhas a fancy new dagger. I need to find it now, while the Lindsaysare here in Perth," Dugald said with more urgency. "If they reachtheir home, I'll never get it back. You ken how much the daggermeant to Da. 'Twas one of his most valued possessions."
"Aye, of course." Appearing tense, she rubbedher forehead. "But this seems an impossible task."
"Nay, I refuse to believe that. I'll get itback by any means necessary," he said, his voice hardening.
"And what is that supposed to mean?" sheasked warily.
"I could take you back home and refuse to letyou marry Alec until he ferrets out the knave who stole mydagger."
"Nay!" she said in a loud whisper. "Surelyyou would not. I love Alec."
Although his sister appeared panicked and hetruly didn't want to do such a thing to her, the bottom line was hehad to regain his clan's dagger. 'Twas as priceless to him as theHonours of Scotland were to the king. Dugald shrugged, trying toappear more unconcerned than he felt. "What has that to do withit?"
"You… would be jeopardizing the alliance,"she rushed to say.
He leaned forward. "The dagger is morevaluable to me than any alliance." And that was the truth.
She gasped.
"Do not act so shocked, sister. You ken I'mindulging you by allowing you to marry Alec Lindsay. In truth, Ineeded no alliance with them." They lived too far away to be ofmuch benefit to him, and their soldiers were not as highly trainedas the MacKerricks. But he didn't want to make his sister's lifemiserable by forcing her to marry someone she didn't wish to.
There were several other Highland clans hewould've preferred an alliance with, but he and his brother wouldhave to secure those partnerships when they eventually married. Infact, Dugald was in the midst of trying to decide between twochiefs' daughters… as he had been for several months. Their fathershad sought Dugald out and he had turned neither down as of yet,though they were growing impatient for his decision. Both ladieswere young and lovely. He could choose either the sweet and demure,dark-haired lass who came with nine hundred acres or thevoluptuous, outspoken ginger with ties to one of the most powerfulclans in the Highlands. Either agreement would benefit hisclan.
