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“Ye’ll tell me and expect nothin’,” Felix replied in a tone so cold and eerie, that even his sisters shuddered. “Ye called us barbarians, Kenney, but ye’ve nay idea what we’re capable of when one of our own is threatened. Nay one would miss ye if ye were to just… disappear. In truth, I imagine there are countless estranged members of yer family who are chompin’ at the bit to have yer title for themselves.”
He surprised himself with his display of icy calm, for inside he was a raging inferno. Yet, if that servant’s note was to be believed, then they did not have long to rescue Edwina… providing it was not already too late. And prying the information out of Kenney called for the side of Felix that very few people got to see—the powerful, fearsome, intimidating Laird in him.
Kenney blanched. “A lesser sum, then.”
“That’ll depend on whether or nae my wife comes back alive,” Felix said. “If she doesnae, then ye willnae see a single coin, and ye’ll be lucky to keepyerlife. If she does, then we can discuss a small fee for yer information.”
Kenney’s lip twitched, like he did not care for the exchange, but it was obvious that he had no choice. He was surrounded by Felix’s people, and if he attempted to escape, he would not get further than the gate.
“Very well,” Kenney muttered. “I ken the man because he was once Edwina’s suitor. He’s had a fancy for her for as long as I can remember, so it was a surprise to see him at the weddin’. I wouldnae have thought he’d bother, since he wasnae the groom.”
Meredith made a noise of disapproval. “Ye’re lyin’ through yer teeth. I’ve spoken to Edwina myself, and she told me she’s never had a suitor.”
“Very well, he wasnae a suitor, but I always suspected that he wanted to be, so there’s nae much of a difference. I can tell when there’s longin’ in a man’s eyes,” Kenney conceded.
“Are ye tryin’ to buy yerself time, danglin’ the idea of information that ye daenae have?” Felix stepped closer to Kenney, until they were almost nose-to-nose. “It wouldnae be the first time ye’ve been caught in a deception. After all, ye had me poisoned and told tall tales about infidelity so ye could make Edwina miserable.”
An expression of bemusement prodded up Kenney’s eyebrows. “Pardon?”
“Daenae try to deny it.”
“With respect, Laird Moore, Iwilldeny that which I’m nae responsible for,” Kenney retorted, with no respect in his tone at all. “I dinnae have ye poisoned, and I certainly dinnae spread any rumors of ye lyin’ with another lass. What would I do that for? I mean, if Iweregoin’ to do that, I’d have done itafterthe weddin’, to ensure Edwina was thoroughly miserable but also stuck in a marriage with a cheatin’ scoundrel.”
Doubt flickered at the back of Felix’s turbulent mind, but he continued. “Ye already confessed that ye were there on the night I took Edwina to the Golden Dragon.”
“Well, I dinnae quite confess, but Iwasthere, before I was chased away by one of yer men,” Kenney replied. “As I told ye, it was a matter of insurance. If ye or Edwina had decided nae to marry, I intended to use what I saw to ensure that itdidproceed. But I daenae ken where the rumor of yer infidelity came from. It certainly dinnae come from me, nor would I be foolish enough to poison ye.”
Though Felix hated to admit it, there was a great deal of sense in what Kenney was saying. But if Kenney was not responsible for poisoning him and almost ruining his wedding to Edwina, then who was? His mind turned, once again, to John… but that seemed even more implausible.
Just then, the clatter of hooves on cobblestones signaled the arrival of a rider. Felix whirled around, his eyes widening with something like relief as his Man-at-Arms slowed his horse to a walk.
“M’Laird.” John bowed his head but made no move to get down from the saddle. “Ye must come with me, as swiftly as ye can. We should take as many men as we can spare.”
Felix took a breath, noting John’s pale face and wild eyes. “Where have ye been?”
“Chasin’ down a rider, M’Laird.” John swallowed loudly. “I’d risen to bathe, when I saw a horse charge out of the Castle grounds. They were in a hurry, which I thought was rather strange, so I decided to pursue. M’Laird, I’m glad I trusted me instincts.”
“Was it Edwina?” Felix balled his hands into fists, digging his fingernails into his palms as he braced for bad news.
A fleeting surprise widened John’s eyes for a moment. “Edwina? She’s missin’?”
“Aye, which is why ye find us all here. It appears she’s been taken.” Just then, Felix realized he had not yet found out who the potential kidnapper was. He turned to look at Melissa, deciding he no longer cared for Kenney’s knowledge. “Who is the man with the stag’s head brooch?”
Melissa dropped her gaze. “Victor McAdams. That wretch who put his hands upon Edwina.”
Understanding gave Felix a sharp slap to the face. Indeed, it seemed painfully obvious, now that he had heard the name aloud. He supposed he had believed Edwina when she had told him that Victor would be remorseful in the morning, and that he was nothing but a dear friend.Shemight have thought that but, evidently, Victor did not.
“Was he nae hoofed from the Castle, last night?” Ryder interjected, asking the question that had just popped into Felix’s mind.
John nodded. “I saw it done with me own eyes, but as the revels continued and the soldiers imbibed, there was only me to watch the battlements. He must’ve slipped back in when I had me back turned, or when I’d gone to check on a disturbance. But, M’Laird, there’s somethin’ else that ye should ken.”
“What is it?” Felix gulped.
“I saw a… body, lashed to the back of the horse,” John replied solemnly. “It was covered by a sack of some kind, and the person inside wasnae movin’. I followed for an hour or more, and there wasnae any sign of life.” His voice caught in his throat. “If I’d kenned it might be Lady Moore, I would’ve kept ridin’ until I’d retrieved her. I’m sorry, M’Laird. I’ve failed ye.”
With the rise and fall of his hope and his fear, Felix began to feel unsteady on his feet: his stomach roiling as if he had been on a rough voyage. He had the culprit’s name, but the wretch was hours ahead. And even if they could catch up to him, what would they find? Would Victor really kill Edwina? Had there been an accident, and he was trying to conceal the evidence? Or was it a matter of, if Victor could not have her, no one could?
The poison—Felix felt utterly foolish, as he unveiled the one part of the events that he did not understand. He could not remember the face of the man who had sat down with him and offered drink, but he would have bet everything he possessed that it was Victor.Edwina wasnae supposed to believe that I was faithful. In makin’ her have faith in me, I have done this to her.
