Page 85 of The Laird’s Sinful Claim

But for how long?

David closed the door quietly and turned to his guards. "I want this door guarded at all times. Day and night. At least three men. Men I trust. Men who've been with me fer years."

"Aye, me laird."

"And I want the entire castle swept. Every room. Every corridor. Every storage space. Find anyone who daesnae belong here."

"We're already daein' that, me laird. Captain's orders."

"Good." David's jaw was tight. "And ban all visitors from the castle. Anyone who's here fer the Cèilidh who isnae clan, send them home. Now."

"But me laird…"

"Dae it." His voice was hard. "And triple the guards on all entrances. Nay one comes in or out without me express permission. Is that clear?"

"Clear, me laird."

David left them to their work and headed back down to the guardhouse. The spy was right where he'd been left—bound to a chair, his face bruised and defiant.

"Where's Langley?" David demanded without preamble.

The man spat at his feet. "Go to hell."

"How many more of ye are there?"

"Enough."

"That's nae an answer."

"It's the only one ye'll get." The spy's smile was ugly. "Sir Edmund will have what's his. One way or another."

David's hand moved to his dirk. "She was never his."

"That's where ye're wrong, Highland savage. Sir Edmund made his intentions clear months ago. She should have been his bride. And she will be." The man's eyes glittered with fanaticism. "Ye can kill me. Lock me up. Torture me if ye want. But it willnae matter. More will come. And more after that. Until Sir Edmund gets what he wants."

David studied the man's face. Saw the blind loyalty there. The absolute certainty that Langley would prevail.

It made him sick.

"Lock him up with the others," David told the guards. "I'll decide what tae dae with them in the mornin'."

"Aye, me laird."

David left the guardhouse and found his captain in the courtyard, organizing the sweep of the castle.

"How many have ye found?" David asked.

"Three so far, me laird. All Langley's men."

"Three." David's hands curled into fists. "How many more are there?"

"We dinnae ken yet. But we're searchin' every inch of the castle and grounds."

"Good. And I want word sent tae every guard, every servant, every clansman. Tell them that if they see anyone suspicious, anyone they dinnae recognize, they report it immediately. Nay exceptions."

"Aye, me laird."

David watched as guards fanned out across the courtyard, torches in hand. His castle. His home. Infiltrated by enemies who wanted to take his wife.