Chapter 21

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

T he tunnel was far too narrow for Benedict's huge frame, and maneuvering himself through it was challenging enough as his broad shoulders knocked off the rough walls. At one point, he was forced to turn sideways and crouch to get through. It had been ages since he had used this particular tunnel, and now, he remembered why.

While he had not wanted to leave Evelyn, especially given how aroused he was after their steamy moment, Benedict had also not wanted the maids to see him. Frankly, any other time, he would not have cared. He was the laird's brother, and thus, ordinarily did whatever he wanted. But maids talked, and gossip spread through the castle like wildfire.

His concern was not for himself, but for Evelyn and Donald. The last thing he would want, was Donald discovering the fact that he'd been in Evelyn's room on the morning of their wedding.

Evelyn had not disclosed their intimate times with him, and he had made certain not to do so either when he had spoken to Donald in the library the day before. Clearly, the laird assumed that Evelyn was still innocent, and for both Evelyn and her father's sake, Benedict wanted to ensure it remained that way.

The tunnel came out in a corner of the kitchen, and squeezing through the small door, while at the same time, trying to ensure he was not seen, Benedict made a quick exit into the main part of the castle. Time was running on, and he was yet to ready himself. Before he had left to see Evelyn, he had ordered a tin bath to be brought to his bedchamber. By the time he returned to it, the water would be freezing.

He was striding through the corridor, heading toward the main staircase when he met Killian. His cousin greeted him with a beaming smile.

"Ye're up bright and early this morning," Killian said.

Wary in case his cousin was fishing, Benedict replied. "I'm up bright and early every morning, cousin."

"Aye," Killian grinned, "but it's nae every day ye get married., is it?"

"And yer point?" Benedict asked, feeling slightly amused at his cousin's nonsensical statement.

"I'm just saying. Yer getting married."

"I ken. I was the one that asked, remember?" The man was acting strangely, and Benedict couldn't understand why. "What has gotten intae ye, Killian?"

His cousin shrugged then. "I dinnae ken. I suppose, given it has been mysel' ye have come tae fer advice over the last while, I feel even more connected tae this whole situation. As if I helped in some way."

His words hit Benedict so suddenly, that he halted right there in the corridor, and turning to him, he looked his cousin in the eye. "Ye are absolutely right. And I dinnae think I have truly thanked ye fer all ye've done fer me," he said. "So, from the bottom o' me heart, Killian, I thank ye. I'm nae sure I could have got through this mess without ye."

"Ye're welcome, cousin." Killian slapped his shoulder. "I'm only glad it worked out for the best. The other option doesnae bear thinking about."

"Which is why I'm nae thinking about it." Benedict smirked. "Right. I'm away. I need tae ready mysel'. I dinnae want tae keep the woman waiting."

"I'll come and help ye with yer outfit in an hour."

"Thank ye. That will dae well."

Benedict continued on to his bedchamber with Killian's words in his head. He had been so consumed with his own heart and mind, he had hardly considered anyone else's feelings.

That's what desperation does tae ye.

It gave him a warm feeling inside to imagine that Killian felt so connected to his union. His cousin had been a bulwark from the storm of his emotions. Fear, doubt, guilt; all of them had weighed heavily upon him, but Killian had been there, standing by his side, offering the best words of advice he had been able to come up with. He had been essential given the circumstances, as Benedict could never have turned to his brother for advice this time.

As promised, Killian arrived an hour later to help Benedict straighten his plaid and don his dirk and sporran, the brass clasps of which were intricate at best. Killian himself was dressed in his best garb, and looked far more handsome than usual.

When the two were ready, Killian turned to leave. "I'll meet ye at the chapel. I am away tae check all is well with everything else."

"Thank ye. I'll see ye shortly."

With Killian gone, Benedict gave himself one more glance in the mirror.

"Probably the first and last time ye'll look this smart," he said to his reflection. "Right. Let's dae this."

He left his bedchamber and strode down the corridor. Upon reaching the large stone staircase, he noticed Audor waiting at the bottom. At the sound of Benedict's footsteps, his brother turned toward him.

"My God," Audor said, looking up at him admiringly as Benedict descended.

"Och, be quiet, will ye. Ye're embarrassing me." Benedict grinned.

"Well, it's nae every day I get the chance tae dae that, so I'm taking the opportunity," Audor replied playfully.

Once Benedict reached the bottom, the two brothers faced each other. Audor gave him a satisfactory nod. "Faither would have been proud, braither."

"And maither would have been teary," Benedict countered.

"Indeed."

In sync with each other's thoughts as they always had been, the brothers took a moment to remember their parents and acknowledge their absence. These important occasions always brought it home more impactfully. There had been a few times before hand where they had both felt it deeply, but none as important as this.

Audor took a steep breath in, and releasing it in a long sigh, he slapped Benedict's upper arm.

"Well, braither. Let us get going. Everyone is at the chapel waiting."

As they walked from the castle towards the chapel, Audor said. "Perhaps we ought tae play a little trick on Evelyn. We should swap places." He grinned.

"Nae a chance," Benedict replied. "Besides, I think we've done enough swapping fer a lifetime."

The priest was standing outside the chapel doors as they approached, and smiling warmly at them both, he greeted the brothers respectfully. As was custom, the ceremony would take place outside the chapel, and then he and Evelyn would go in to greet their guests as newlyweds.

"The chapel is already full," Father McKensy said. "I dae hope ye are nae expecting any more guests."

"Only me bride, Faither," Benedict quipped back. "In fact, she ought tae be here?—"

Benedict halted speaking when he saw a very worried Killian and Yvaine rushing up the hill towards them.

Elbowing his brother, Benedict growled, "Something is wrong."

Audor looked round to see the two approach, and then muttered, "Och, dear God."

"What is it?" Audor demanded, once Killian and Yvaine were in hearing distance.

"She's missing," Yvaine cried breathlessly. "Evelyn is missing. Me faither is frantic with worry. We've searched the castle and cannae find her anywhere."

Benedict looked at Killian. "Where have ye checked?"

Killian looked deeply worried. "Everywhere, Benedict. I've had the guards search the stables, the barns, the gardens, the kitchen. We've checked the bedchambers, all the rooms, in fact, everywhere. She's nowhere tae be found."

Without waiting another second, Benedict left them all standing there, and bolted back toward the castle. His long legs took huge strides as panic drove him on. He could hear the panting of those following, but they were still some distance behind him.

Upon reaching the castle, he turned towards them as they caught him up. "We need tae split up. She has tae be here somewhere."

At this point, Donald, who looked terrified, ran out into the courtyard where they were gathered.

"Benedict and I will take the bedchambers," Audor declared. "Killian, round up some soldiers and check the courtyard and all the outer houses. Also, order them tae search the kitchens and basement. Donald. Yvaine. Ye check every room on the main floor."

With instructions given, everyone ran in different directions. Upon reaching the staircase, Benedict launched up them two at a time. Once at the top, he didn't waste a second, and immediately headed into the first bedchamber on his left.

"I'll take the right side," Audor called, before disappearing into a room.

The brothers opened door after door, running inside while calling out Evelyn's name. They moved furniture, opened wardrobes, and looked under beds.

"Evelyn. Evelyn," Benedict cried. "Yell if ye can hear me voice."

But each time he stayed perfectly still to try and hear any sound, the only reply was silence.

It took twenty minutes to complete the task, and eventually, the brothers met at the end of the corridor.

"Nae joy," Audor panted breathlessly.

Benedict looked up at the ceiling. "What about the servants' quarters?" he said, referring to the upper floor of the castle.

"I cannae imagine she would be up there," Audor said doubtfully.

"I couldnae imagine her nae being at the chapel tae marry me this morning, and yet, she wasnae there. I'm nae leaving a room unsearched," Benedict retorted.

Audor nodded with an expression of understanding, and the brothers climbed the narrow staircase and followed the same search in each room. Less than twenty minutes later, they met at the end of the corridor, both of them looking perturbed.

"Come. Maybe one o' the others have found her," Audor said, with hope in his voice.

They hurried back down stairs to where they had left the others, but they could see no one. They were about to venture into the great hall when Killian rounded the corridor. His face was like thunder, and tightly held in his grasp was a dark-haired maid.

"What the devil is going on?" Audor demanded.

"She was found trying tae sneak out o' the castle with a bag o' her belongings," Killian growled.

At that moment, Yvaine and Donald came hurrying around the corner.

"Please, me laird," the maid whimpered. "He has me son."

"Who has yer son?" Benedict barked.

"Laird Keith," she blurted. "I had tae dae it, dinnae ye see? They were going tae kill him."

"What did ye dae? Where have they taken her?" Benedict barked.

Audor took a step forward, gesturing to Benedict to remain calm. It was easy for him to say. It wasn't the love of his life that might be murdered at any second. If she was still alive at all.

"We'll get yer son back," Audor said calmly. "But first, ye have tae tell us what happened?"

The maid then relayed how she and her son, Sammy, had been on the way back from the village the day after the attack, when men had run from the trees and grabbed them.

"They dragged us ontae their horses and then took us to a house. When we got there, a huge man was inside. He took hold o' Sammy and pressed a dirk tae his throat." A sob escaped from her as she hurriedly continued. "He told me he was Laird Keith. He also said that if I didnae dae as he asked, he'd slice Sammy up slowly, and send me the pieces."

The maid then burst out crying.

Audor gave Benedict a stern gaze, and looked back to the maid.

"What did ye have tae dae?" he asked.

Sniffling and trying to control herself she said, "He gave me a bottle. He didnae tell me what was in it, but he said it wouldnae kill Lady Sinclair. He said it would only make her sleep. After I'd given it to her, I was tae open the door tae the hidden tunnel."

"How did he ken about the tunnel?" Benedict demanded.

The maid looked at him sheepishly.

"Ye told him," Benedict growled.

"He had me son," she cried defensively. "I'm sorry, me laird. Truly, I am. But what was I supposed tae dae?"

"Where is this house?" Donald demanded from behind her.

The maid spun and looked mortified when she saw Evelyn's father.

"I can draw ye a map. It isnae far. They havenae been gone long. I'm sure the laird will still be there," she babbled.

Audor looked at Killian, and barked, "Gather the soldiers. Tell them tae meet us at the gate in fifteen minutes."

"What about Sammy?" the maid cried.

"We'll find yer son, and we'll bring him back tae ye. After that," Audor growled, "I'll decide what I'm going tae dae with ye."

As one of the guards grabbed the maid and took her away, Yvaine stepped forward. "I'm coming with ye."

"Indeed, ye are nae," Donald bellowed. "I already have one daughter lost. I'll certainly nae mak' it two."

"But, Faither?—"

"Ye will be needed here, Yvaine," Benedict said. "When we return, Evelyn will need ye."

Without another word, Benedict swiftly strode passed Yvaine and headed to his bedchamber. He had to change. He had to dress fer battle.