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The oldest of them furrowed her brow. “Nay, M’Laird, but then… we had us a late start. Apologies, M’Laird.”
“There’s nay need for an apology.” Felix waved a dismissive hand. “It was a weddin’ celebration. I ken my wife would be happy that everyone got to enjoy themselves, so daenae fret.”
The maid visibly relaxed. “Thank ye, M’Laird.”
Moving on, Felix whistled a jaunty tune as he made his way through the hallways and passages of the Castle, walking with a new spring in his step.
A short while later, he reached the kitchens, where the cook stooped over a pot, looking very ill indeed. Clearly, she had also celebrated too much, the previous night.
“Has my wife been down for her breakfast?” Felix asked cheerfully, swiping a bread roll from the workbench and taking a bite. He had not realized just how hungry he was, reminding him of the feast in the chamber that he and Edwina had picked at, in between their intense lovemaking.
The cook shook her head slowly, and clasped a hand to her stomach, as if she was going to be sick. “She hasnae eaten, so far as I ken. There should’ve been plenty in yer chamber, M’Laird. Was it nae enough?”
“Aye, it was, but… I thought she might’ve needed somethin’ fresh,” Felix replied, scratching his head in confusion. “Have ye been in the kitchens for a while, or did ye awaken late, like everyone else seems to have done?”
The cook expelled a shaky breath. “I’ve been here an hour or two, M’Laird.” She paused. “If ye’ll excuse me, I think I need to take some air.”
She rushed out through the side door and into the herb garden, letting the door slam behind her in her hurry to avoid an embarrassing incident. Felix watched her go, not yet concerned by his wife’s absence, but growing more puzzled by the minute.
With a shrug, he set off for the gardens. The morning was fine and bright, with barely a cloud in the sky—the perfect sort of morning for a leisurely stroll, and Edwina did appear to be fond of such things.
Are ye hidin’ from me, Love? Is this a game ye want me to play, to raise the anticipation?He smiled at the thought.Well then, I’d best find ye swiftly, so I can satisfy us both.
* * *
An hour later, panic had well and truly set in. The gardens were devoid of Edwina, not a single servant had seen her, and though he had searched the Castle from top to bottom, she was nowhere to be found. Of course, he had not yet searched the occupied chambers, not wanting to disturb anyone’s slumber, but the time for courtesy had long since passed.
“Wake up! Everyone, wake up!” Felix bellowed as he ran through the Castle, banging on the doors of those who were sleeping away the revels of the night before. “Wake up!”
He stooped to catch his breath, though the struggle had nothing to do with the amount of running he had been doing. Anxiety wrenched at his lungs, twisting around them like vines until he could not come close to filling his chest with air. Cold sweat slicked his brow and prickled down the back of his neck like an omen.
Presently, guests began to emerge from their chambers in a dazed state. There were not many, but enough to form a search party. Felix’s eyes fixed upon Meredith, who had always been the calm and reasonable one. Meredith’s gaze met his and her brow furrowed, as if she was trying to read him.
“What is the matter, Felix?” She approached him cautiously, as Ryder followed behind.
Felix rubbed his throat, like it could urge more air down into his lungs. “Edwina is… missin’. I woke up and she was… gone from my side. I’ve searched high and low for her, but there’s… nay sign anywhere. I’ve asked every servant, and the answer is the same—nay one has seen her.” Every word tightened his throat: his head spinning with terror.
“Are ye certain?” Ryder stepped in, but Meredith pushed a hand against his chest to intervene.
“What was the hour when ye noticed she was gone?”
Felix shrugged helplessly. “It couldnae have been more than an hour ago. The bed was cold on her side, so… she must’ve been absent a while. I thought she’d gone to have breakfast or a walk in the gardens, but… she’s gone, Meredith. She’s gone.”
“First of all,” Meredith began, “ye need to be calm. If ye cannae breathe and ye collapse, ye willnae be of any use in searchin’ for her. I’m sure she cannae have gone far, and there’s a simple explanation for this. So, secondly, daenae start thinkin’ the worst.”
“How can I nae?” Felix gasped.
Meredith took hold of his face. “Calm yerself, dear brother. Ye must be calm.” She glanced back over her shoulder. “Ryder, take all the men ye can and search the Castle again. Daenae leave any stone unturned, and if ye find anythin’ strange or of note, then come to the Mornin’ Room to inform us. I’m takin’ my brother there until he can breathe again.”
Ryder nodded. “Aye, My Love.” He gestured to the men who had emerged from their chambers. “All of ye, follow me. We’ll split up and search each wing and every speck of the grounds thoroughly.”
“Ye cannae make me just… wait,” Felix protested, but Meredith had already grabbed his arm, and was marching him down the hallway. Melissa appeared on his other side, to weave her arm through his free arm; the two of them ensuring that he did as he was told.
However, as Felix looked back at the small gathering of guests, he noticed that someone was missing. Someone who should have emerged from the room closest to where he now stood.
With a sharp tug, he wrenched away from his sisters and strode up to the chamber door, banging against the wood as hard as he could. “Kenney! Kenney, open this door!”
When Kenney did not, and no sound of movement could be heard, Felix twisted the iron ring of the handle, fully expecting the door to be locked. Instead, it swung inward, almost sending Felix sprawling to the floor. Up ahead, the bed was made and empty, as if it had never been slept in. The drapes were open, letting bright sunlight spill in, and the fire in the grate was nothing but a pile of cold ash.
