The Pledge by Helen Mittermeyer

Author:Helen Mittermeyer [MITTERMEYER, HELEN]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780446567510
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Published: 2009-10-31T04:00:00+00:00

NINE

Absence makes the heart grow fonder.

Propertius

Castle MacKay was in turmoil. The lady was missing. The laird was in high dudgeon. Parties had been going out for days, trying to find her trail.

She, six MacKays, Diuran, and one called Cumhal, a relative to Lady MacKay, seemed to have vanished in the sea. None had seen them disembark at Cardiff, if that was their destination. Messengers had brought the word she’d been summoned to a family meeting there. Yet none had seen her arrive, nor had any seen her since.

“I want her found, no matter what it takes.” Hugh slammed his fist down on the trencher board, his bitterness palpable. Not since childhood had he felt so betrayed.

“You don’t know that the scrolls are accurate,” Dilla began, earning her laird’s wrathful gaze. “I do not care if you proscribe me, I’ll not believe she betrayed you.”

Dilla’s husband gaped at her, then went to her side. “I ask you to punish me for my wife’s thoughtless words, milord. I’ll not let her be—”

“Stop!” Hugh shouted, making man and wife jump. “I’m not angry with Dilla.” He glared at her spouse. “Since when is it against the law for any MacKay to express an opinion?”

He grimaced. “ ’Tis not.”

“Then stop defending Dilla until she needs it and—”

“Where is maman?” Rhys shouted, tearing into the room and plummeting into Hugh. “I want her now. She needs me. Avis and Conal will cry if she doesn’t come. She’s to help us with our lessons.” Despite his strong words, the lad’s chin shook and his eyes were suspiciously wet. The twins stood in the doorway, faces and limbs quivering.

Hugh scooped him up, holding him close. For the five days Morrigan had been gone, and the three he’d been home, he’d hardly been separated from the trio. Hugh slept in Rhys and Conal’s room on a cot. Lilybet had stayed with Avis. If either boy woke he could touch them. Lilybet often spoke of Avis’s restlessness. Most nights Hugh didn’t sleep, his mind boiling with anger and fear. Before the sun rose he was usually up, sending runners, waiting for the return of others. Morrigan! Her name rang in his head, in his chest, all through him—

“Where is maman?” Rhys leaned back in Hugh’s arms. “She needs me. You must know that.”

“I know. I’ll find her and bring her back home. You must believe in that. You’re a MacKay. You must have faith in your laird.” Hugh heard Dilla’s smothered sob. From the corner of his eyes, he saw her husband pull her close. His insides were shredded with worry. No word in all that time. Five days and he didn’t know where she was. His wife and her coterie seemed to have vanished. Runners had been all over Scotland, Wales, and England. Nothing.

Hugh inhaled. “We’ll mount a new campaign.” He eyed Tone, who’d hovered nearby since they’d found Morrigan gone. “I’ll lead it. You’ll stay with the boy, guarding him along with—”

The flurry and shouting at the gate alerted him and started him running.

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