Page 30 of Secrets of a Kilted Seduction

“I cannae put me finger on it. I just feel it in me bones. Yer wife, she’s John’s true blood heir.”

“Aye.”

“If I was Blaine, I’d want tae consolidate me position as me faither’s heir by marryin’ his daughter, wouldnae ye?”

“Aye, I would. And I’d be mighty vexed tae find out she already had a husband,” Tadhg replied, hoping he was doing the right thing by trusting Knox.

“Exactly. So, ye understand why I’m tellin’ ye tae watch yer back.”

“I dae, man, and I’m grateful fer yer warnin’. I dinnae trust Blaine nor any of his cronies on the council, but I dae worry for Alana. I’d leave right now if I had me way, but she wants tae find out more about her faither, so it looks like we’re stuck here until he turns up, alive or dead.”

“Aye. That’s a rum business as well,” Stewart muttered. “A week with nae ransom demand? Sounds a bit fishy if ye ask me.”

“I have tae agree. I suppose ye’re hangin’ about here waitin’ for the laird’s return, hopin’ tae conclude yer treaty, are ye?”

“Aye, in a way. I’m still waitin’ fer the documents I need tae be found and sent over here from home. But in truth, I’m loath tae leave just in case I can help get John back. He’ s a good man, a friend of mine, and he daesnae deserve this. Nae now of all times. I mean, he has his daughter waitin’ tae meet him fer the first time after he’s been searchin’ fer her all these years. ’Tis too cruel.”

Tadhg nodded and clapped a hand on Stewart’s shoulder. “Aye, it is, and I’m sorry ye feel ye cannae go home until the matter’s resolved. But I, fer one, am glad tae have ye here. I feel I have at least one man I can trust in this place with ye still around, Laird Stewart. And I thank ye again fer yer warning. I’ll heed yer words, ye can be sure.”

“All right. Good night then, Tadhg,” laird Stewart replied, opening his chamber door and stepping inside. “And by the way, call me Knox at all times will ye? ’Tis me name after all.”

Tadhg laughed. “Thank ye, Knox, and a good night tae ye too.”

When he got back to their chamber, he fully expected to see Alana there. So, he was puzzled to find the room empty. The hour was late, so where could she be? With the warning Knox had so recently given him still ringing in his ears, anxiety flared inside him. What if she had gone out walking again, like she had the other night, alone? Anything could happen to her.

With his heart starting to race, he quickly retraced his steps down the stairs and into the vestibule. He asked the guards on the keep door if they had seen Alana go outside, but they shook their heads. He went to the great hall, the last place he had seen her.

’Tis possible she’s still there talking tae somebody.

But when he went in to look for her, there were only servers cleaning the tables and sweeping up after dinner.

He had only just come from the laird’s study. If Alana had taken it into her head to go and see Blaine for whatever reason, they would have crossed paths on the way. Seriously worried now, he decided to look in all the downstairs rooms. Since the sleeping quarters were upstairs, if he opened doors as he searched for her, he would not be in danger of disturbing anyone from their sleep. So, he began doing just that.

He continued his hunt, but in vain. When he finally opened a door onto what was evidently a library, he was already frantic and expected to find it empty too. It took him by surprise when he saw her with her feet up on a sofa reading a book, with a tray of tea things on a nearby table. The flickering light from the candelabra and the fire in the grate illuminated her with a warm orange glow. He paused for a moment just staring at her. She looked impossibly beautiful.

She looked up when heard him enter, and she clearly noticed his agitated state immediately because she sat up and asked, “What’s wrong?”

“God’s blood, Alana,” he exclaimed, shutting the door behind him and going up to her. “I’ve been lookin’ fer ye everywhere. I’ve been worried out of me mind!”

“Well, I’ve been here all the time. When ye went off with Blaine, I thought I’d come in here and read for a while before going tae bed. What are ye in such a state about?” She frowned at him, apparently genuinely puzzled by his frazzled demeanor.

“I told ye,” he said, standing before her, “I dinnae trust anyone around here. Anythin’ could have happened tae ye. I was worried sick.”

“What could have happened tae me? I’m perfectly safe.” She gave him a curious half smile that made his heart skip.

“Aye, I ken that now, but, ach, ye dinnae understand.” He gave up trying to explain himself and tried to calm down. “I’m just… I’m just glad ye’re safe, that’s all.”

He half expected her to be mad with him, but instead she asked softly, “D’ye want some tea?” She gestured at the tea tray with her eyes.

He shook his head. “Nay. ’tis late. Are ye comin’ upstairs? There’s things we

need tae talk about.”

“But I havenae finished me tea yet. Can we nae talk in here? ’Tis nice and private.”

“Ach, all right.” He threw himself down next to her on the sofa and was slightly surprised when she did not immediately move away.

“What d’ye want tae talk about?” she asked, putting her book aside and taking up her teacup. She sipped at it delicately, looking at him over the rim.