“Ye need rest,” Alasdair said, frowning. “Ye’ve been running yerself ragged with the investigation.”
“I’ll rest when the culprit is rotting in the ground, me Laird,” Nathan said through gritted teeth. “I willnae stop until order is restored.”
Alasdair shook his head. “What ye’re doing is admirable, Nathan. But even the strongest men need rest.”
Nathan waved him off, still on the floor, then slowly pushed himself up. His face was pale, but his voice remained firm. “Admiration or nae, I’ll see this through. Yer uncle’s name keeps circling back, and if he is the one, ye must be prepared.”
Alasdair sank deeper into the water, his jaw set. “There is only one way to find out. He is expected here later this morning. I’ll ask him meself.”
“And if he denies it?” Nathan asked.
Alasdair pressed his lips together. “I’ll give him nay choice but to tell the truth.”
Nathan studied him. “Then ye ken what that means. If yer uncle is truly behind this, we daenae ken how far he’ll go. We daenae ken how many men he commands. We must be ready for the worst. And above all, ye and Lady MacRay must be protected.”
Alasdair’s chest tightened at the mention of Lily. He could still see her face and the tears she struggled to hold back.
Nathan tilted his head, his eyes searching. “And where is Lady MacRay now, me Laird?”
Alasdair exhaled. “Daenae worry about me wife. I can handle her.”
Nathan nodded. “Is she at the wounded hall? I daenae think I saw her on me way to the castle.”
“She is… where she chooses to be,” Alasdair said at last.
His words were quiet, almost swallowed by the steam rising around him.
Nathan frowned but did not press. Instead, he bowed his head slightly. “Very well. I’ll keep looking into it. But if Thomas shows his hand today, we must strike quickly. We may nae have a second chance.”
Alasdair nodded. “Then we’ll be ready. Whatever happens, I’ll face him head-on.”
Nathan bowed once more and left, the door closing behind him.
Alasdair tilted his head back, his mind grinding like a pack of metal. He had fought wars, been dragged into the most horriblesituations a man should ever face. Yet nothing hurt him more than seeing Lily’s face in his mind over and over.
Now he had to deal with a traitor who might or might not be his own uncle?
Alasdair hoped he could weather this, but with Lily away, this might prove his downfall.
CHAPTER 31
Sorcha triedto follow them into the carriage, her cloak wrapped tight around her shoulders.
“I’ll come with ye,” she said firmly.
Lily caught her arm. “Nay. Ye must stay. The men still need tending.”
“But the maids can handle that. Even Daisy is capable of keeping a few of them in line,” Sorcha argued.
“Be that as it may, ye are the most experienced among them. I’d rather someone steady keep watch. ‘Tis better this way.”
Sorcha opened her mouth to protest once more, but Lily tightened her grip on her arm, the look on her face pleading.
“Sorcha, this is possibly the most important thing I would ever need ye to do for me. Please.”
Silence lingered until Sorcha’s shoulders sagged. She nodded reluctantly.
Lily released her and stepped into the carriage.
