That remained to be seen but he would keepthat information to himself. "I've run into a problem and I hopeyou can help me with it."
After kissing Mairiana's hand, Alec took aseat at the table with them. "Aye, what is it?"
"While your entourage was at Rornoch Castle,my valuable dagger disappeared." Dugald observed the other mancarefully. "You remember it, I'm sure. I wore it during theceremony and at supper afterward. It has a large ruby embedded inthe hilt."
Alec frowned. "Are you saying one of theLindsays stole it?"
"Someone did. 'Haps one of your guards orservants."
Alec narrowed his eyes while Mairianaappeared to be holding her breath.
Dugald went on, "I need your help in findingit. It has been in my clan for generations and is always passeddown to the next chief."
Drawing himself up into a regal posture, Alecsaid, "I'm offended that you would accuse my clan of stealing."
"Well, I'm sorry to offend you," Dugald saidin a steadfast tone, "but the fact is, someone in your entouragestole it."
The other man's face darkened. "You don'tknow that. Maybe someone in your own clan stole it and hoped toimplicate the Lindsays."
Dugald gave a humorless smile. "My clansmenwould not commit such a shameful and dishonorable deed. They own itas much as I do. It is an object of much pride and admirationwithin the clan. Now, are you willing to help me ferret out thethief or not? Question your men. Search them and theirbelongings."
Alec watched him with calculating eyes for along moment, then glanced at Mairiana. "Aye, I'll see what I cando."
Dugald was glad to have his cooperation, evenif he wasn't yet sure he would follow through. "I must have it backbefore your party leaves Perth."
"As I said, I'll see what I can do," Alecsnapped.
"I am staying at the Boar's Tusk Tavernacross the street. Report to me there at gloaming."
With one last glower, Alec arose, tookMairiana's hand and escorted her from the room. Dugald did nottrust the wily bastard.
***
Alec did not show up in the tavern atgloaming, or after. "The whoreson," Dugald seethed. "Come." Hemotioned to his two personal bodyguards, Owen and Rufus. Theyproceeded out into the misty rain and across the muddy street tothe inn. Neither outside, nor within the common room, did he seehide or hair of any of the Lindsays. Surely, they had not left. Heinquired with the proprietor and learned they were still inresidence.
Alec had simply decided to ignore Dugald'srequest to meet him. The bastard would not help him unearth thedagger.
Grinding his teeth, Dugald returned to thesparse room he'd rented over the tavern.
He turned to his clansmen who waited by thedoor, addressing the one with brown, shoulder-length hair and ashort beard. "Braden, you and Mason stay out of sight and keepwatch at the inn across the street. Tell me immediately if theLindsays attempt to leave."
"Aye, Chief."
Dugald switched his gaze to the two brawnyHighlanders beside them. "Grant and MacFarley, you two take a turnat watch just after midnight."
After they all agreed, Braden and Masonhastened down the stairs, while Grant and MacFarley joined the restof the clansmen in the chamber next door.
"Get some sleep," Dugald told his personalbodyguards who remained in the room with him.
"What about you, Chief?" Owen asked, his baldpate gleaming in the dying light from the small hearth.
"I'm not sleepy." Dugald was too annoyed. Hepaced the floor and kept an eye on the inn from his window. Howcould he reclaim the dagger without instigating a battle here inPerth? Was Alec Lindsay a man of his word, or was he a connivingwhoreson?
He was strongly suspecting the latter. He wasdaft to allow Mairiana to wed him.
After pacing for an hour or longer, whileOwen and Rufus snored from their pallets on the floor, Dugald laydown on the bed. He'd only fallen into a light sleep when a loudknock sounded at the door. Stumbling through the darkness, healmost ran into Owen who was headed in the same direction. Pausing,he let Owen open the door. MacFarley waited outside, carrying alantern. "M'laird, the Lindsays' horses are being saddled behindthe inn."
"Damnation!" Dugald turned to the window,unable to see the whoresons or their horses. "'Tis not even sunriseyet! He thinks to escape me."
