Chapter 16

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

B efore breakfast, Benedict had spoken to Killian in Audor's study about the attack. There needed to be another council meeting, but more importantly, he realized that Laird Sinclair had to be informed about what had happened to Evelyn.

"He has a right tae ken," Killian had agreed, "but we lied tae his face yesterday."

"And I will have tae apologize fer that, but he needs tae ken that his daughter is in danger. Fer all we ken, Laird Keith's men might be here fer them all. Donald has a right tae protect himself and his family."

Killian had agreed, and they had both left the study in search of the laird.

They found Donald in the library, where, Benedict had heard, the man spent much of his time.

When he had finished explaining the truth of what had really occurred the day before, Benedict had said, "I think it best fer ye and yer family tae remain inside the castle until further notice, me laird. I highly doubt Laird Keith's men would attempt tae enter the castle grounds, and thus, ye and yer family are the safest if ye remain within these walls."

Still looking bewildered and terrified at the news that his daughter had been attacked, Donald had started towards the door. "I need tae go and see her."

"Me laird," Benedict had said quickly. "Please be gentle with her. She was terrified tae tell ye because o' the loss o' yer wife. She didnae want ye tae be upset ‘afore her wedding."

He had to say something to protect Evelyn. In hindsight, he wished he had gone and spoken to her first, but it was too late for that.

"Aye, o' course," Donald had replied quietly.

With a nod at them, the laird had then opened the door and left the room.

The council meeting only reaffirmed what Benedict already knew. They still had no idea how many of Laird Keith's men had managed to infiltrate their clan lands, or where they were located. It was agreed that larger groups of scouts were to be sent out, and a more thorough search done. If camps were found, the scouts were not to engage, and to return to the castle to report their findings.

With little more to be done until those facts were discovered, the council meeting ended with Benedict feeling less than satisfied, although he agreed with the decisions that had been made.

"Ye're frustrated," Killian stated when the older men had left the room.

"O' course, I'm frustrated," Benedict grunted. "Ye saw what I saw, Killian. In fact, ye were injured. Those men were nae here just tae scout out the land. They were sent tae take Evelyn."

"And now ye're worried that they'll try again."

"If they dare, they'll have me tae deal with." He hit his fist against his chest. "I've already told Evelyn that she's nae permitted tae leave the castle. She agreed wholeheartedly. Yesterday frightened her half tae death, even if she tried nae tae show it."

Killian nodded. "Ye've done all ye can dae, fer now. I cannae see them trying tae attack the castle. We are too many. It would be a pointless sacrifice."

"I agree. Yesterday was an opportunistic attack. Clearly, they've been watching the castle. They probably couldnae believe their luck when they saw Evelyn leaving with only two guards."

"Everything will be fine, Benedict," Killian said, turning toward the door. "I'm going tae organize the scout parties. I'll keep ye informed if I hear anything untoward."

When Killian left, Benedict settled himself back at the desk. What had started as him hiding away in the study had become much more than that, and out of boredom, he had been going through the paperwork his brother usually dealt with. It had interested him so much, he had found himself, on occasion, rather intrigued by it all.

But as he read the leases and war plans in front of him, he found his mind wandering. He couldn't help but wonder what Donald had said to Evelyn, and even more so, how she had reacted to him knowing she was attacked. He imagined she would be angry that he had not warned her that her father might be coming, but it had not occurred to him that the laird would go directly to see her.

Fool!

Donald had been right yesterday when he had mentioned Benedict not having children. Not only did he not know how Donald must have been feeling yesterday when Evelyn had been missing for so many hours, he also had not known a father's love. Donald had been clearly pained earlier, but his first thought had been Evelyn. As distant as the older man might have been with his daughters, it was evident he loved them very much.

An hour had passed when Benedict heard the study door opening. It had to be Killian. Anyone else would have knocked.

"Did ye send the scouts?" he said, without looking up.

"And what scouts would they be?" Audor replied.

Jerking his head up, Benedict could hardly believe his eyes, and yet, it was indeed, his brother standing there before him. Jumping from the chair, he rounded the desk with open arms.

"Och, ye have nae idea how good it is tae see ye, braither," Benedict exclaimed, embracing him with a strong hold.

"Well, if ye feel anything like me, I think I have an idea," Audor replied warmly.

Once they released each other and parted, Benedict looked him up and down. "Are ye well? Was yer mission a success?"

"Never mind that," Audor replied. "What news o' the attack? I returned immediately when I discovered it."

Benedict was shocked. "Ye heard about that? It only happened yesterday."

Audor smiled mirthlessly. "There's nae much I miss, braither."

His words hit Benedict in the gut. If that were true, what else did he know? Did he know about himself and Evelyn?

Who could possibly have told him? Everyone at the castle thinks ye are he.

Someone didn't. How else had Audor heard about the attack?

"I'm sure ye have already done everything that is needed tae deal with it," Audor continued. "I trust ye implicitly, Benedict. Even on me return, I didnae worry fer a second that the clan was in danger kenning that ye were here and in charge."

Benedict dropped his gaze. The guilt washed over him like a wave in a storm, crashing down on him and nearly taking his breath away.

I trust ye implicitly, Benedict – well, ye shouldnae. I'm a wretch.

Audor gazed at him for a long moment. "Are ye all right? Something is bothering ye. Has something happened?"

With every fiber of his being, Benedict wanted to confess. He wanted to open his mouth and let it all pour out, to rid himself of the guilt that had been eating away at his soul. And yet, it was as though he had been struck dumb. Like his mind had been wiped clean of all the words he knew, for he had no idea where he ought to begin.

The shame he had experienced while Audor was away had been nothing in comparison to the battle that was raging in his soul in that moment. He had been so confident when he had told Evelyn he would talk to Audor about their love, and yet, now that his brother stood before him, all he could feel was disgrace at the wrongs he had committed behind his back.

"It has been a difficult few days," was Benedict's only reply.

"Then sit, braither." Audor gestured to the chairs beside the fire. "We will drink, and ye can tell me all that has occurred in me absence."

Benedict did most of the talking, while Audor listened with interest. He was careful, of course, to omit all the occasions he had spent with Evelyn, but his brother clearly noted that.

"And what of Lady Sinclair?" Audor said. "I ken I put ye in a difficult position, Benedict. I'm also sorry that me journey took me away from me duties for longer than I had anticipated, but I am sure ye compensated fer me absence."

Aye, I did that all right.

"Lady Sinclair is fine," Benedict said shortly.

Audor gazed at him, one eyebrow lifting on his forehead. "I'm sure she is. But how did it go? Did she believe ye were me?"

Benedict had thought she had, right up to the second she told him she hadn't. Which happened to be the entire time.

He shrugged. "There is nae reason she shouldnae. I didnae dae anything ye wouldnae have done."

Apart from betray ye and sneak around behind yer back.

"And so, ye spent some time with her," Audor pressed, clearly wanting far more than Benedict was willing to give.

"O' course I did. Just as ye requested. In fact, we had several adventures."

Benedict then went on to tell him about the boy they had found stuck in the tree. Telling the humorous story, he couldn't help laughing, and soon enough, Audor was laughing too. He was careful to omit the parts where he teased her about looking up her frock, though. He was certain his brother would not have appreciated that part of the story, and besides, he didn't want to give away too much.

When Audor seemed satisfied that Benedict had done right by Evelyn, he asked about the attack of the previous day. Again, Benedict gave him the details, specifying that he was certain it was an opportunistic attack, and that he didn't believe there were more a than a few of Laird Keith's men on their clan lands.

"Be that as it may," Audor said, when he had heard the full report, "I want tae call the council again. I ken ye have met with them already, but there is something further I wish tae discuss with them."

An hour later, the council were back in the study and having welcomed Benedict home, which felt more than bizarre, the meeting commenced.

"I apologize fer bringing ye back here again in such a short period o' time, but I have had a little time tae think, "Audor began, once everyone was settled, "The threat is imminent, and with that in mind, I think it prudent that we hurry things along."

"What dae ye mean by hurry things along, me laird?" James asked.

"The wedding, James. I think it's in ours and Lady Sinclair's best interests, that we dinnae wait for another week. Laird Keith is evidently putting us under pressure, and without the alliance, he kens he still has a chance."

Benedict had not been ready for his brother's words, and swallowing a gasp, he cast a glance in Killian's direction. Killian replied with raised eyebrows and a concerned gaze. As Benedict's mind whirled with the fact that he may very well lose the only woman he had ever loved, the conversation continued on around him.

"That will take some preparing," Angus said. "Any guests that were arriving will need tae be informed."

"I cannae imagine it will be any great hardship," Audor replied. "Those that cannae make it on such short notice, can arrive later. I'm certain the celebration can continue over several days. They may miss the ceremony, but there will still be an opportunity for them to celebrate the union."

"Has Lady Sinclair been made aware o' this?" William asked.

"Nae. It is the reason I have called this council meeting. I want tae hear yer thoughts on the matter."

"I cannae disagree with ye, me laird," James said. "Bringing the wedding forward will solidify the alliance, and thus, will likely deter Laird Keith from making any more attempts on Lady Sinclair's life."

"We hope," Angus murmured.

"Ye dinnae think this will work?" Audor said, addressing him.

"I dinnae ken, me laird. He is here in our lands at this very minute."

"We cannae ken that," William countered. "We ken his men are here. The laird may well be sitting in his castle on his own lands."

"Ye are right, we cannae ken. But then, by that reasoning, we cannae ken if he is or isnae here, can we?" Angus argued. "I only wonder if the wedding will make any difference. Would it nae be more prudent tae gather Keith's men up and imprison them?"

"The scouts are already out looking for them," Killian interjected. "There isnae any more we can dae until we hear back from them."

"I understand yer reasoning, Angus. However, I think we can dae both," Audor said. "We will continue tae hunt Keith's men, and at the same time, still bring the wedding forward."

The older men around the table nodded, all seemingly in agreement.

"We are agreed then?" Audor said.

"Aye," the men murmured together.

"Very well, then I will send orders out tae make the arrangements."

After the meeting, a couple of the council members lingered. Seeing his brother occupied with their concerns, Benedict saw an opportunity to slip away, and catching Killian's eye, he jerked his head, requesting that his cousin follow him out of the study.

They moved down the corridor in silence, and rounding a corner, found a small alcove, where Benedict finally came to a halt.

"What am I tae dae?" Benedict hissed, when Killian stopped beside him. "Am I tae stand back and let this wedding go ahead? Me heart and mind are torn. If I interject now, the alliance will be broken."

Killian frowned, and pacing back and forth with his hand on his chin, he appeared to be in deep thought. Eventually, he came to a halt again. "I think ye need tae discuss this with Lady Sinclair. Tell her what Audor plans tae dae, and see what she says. After that, ye need tae speak with Audor."

"And if she sides with her faither, and wants the wedding tae go ahead because o' the alliance?" Benedict pressed.

"Whatever happens, Benedict, I think Audor needs tae ken what has happened. Nae fer Audor's sake, but fer yer own. This guilt has been eating away at ye fer days. I just dinnae think ye can carry this burden any longer."

Benedict heaved a sigh and dropped his head. Killian was not wrong. Even talking to Audor earlier had been the most uncomfortable conversation he had ever shared with his brother. How could he continue by his brother's side while holding on to such deceit?

"Ye are right," Benedict admitted. "But first, I need tae speak tae Evelyn."