Aleck stared at her for a moment, well aware of the power of his steely gaze. He’d made many a man quake with a look. Such was the benefit of being an ugly cur. Sick to death with the ineptitude of his kin, he had no mind for pleasantries. “What do you know about Lady Helen’s disappearance?”
“Me, m’laird?”
He spread his palms. “There’s nay other soul standing before me.”
“The first I heard of it was when Miss Sarah came to me and told me the bairn was missing—taken straight from her cradle, Miss Sarah said.”
“And where is Sarah now? I understand she went missing shortly before I returned.” At least that tidbit of information had been easy to wrest from the men.
The old woman hunched her shoulders. “I’ve no idea. But she…” Glenda glanced at Grant.
The guard rolled his hand forward, encouraging her to go on.
“Miss Sarah took a fancy to one of the MacGregor men.”
Aleck cast his gaze to the rafters. “A MacGregor? God save the lass if she’s chasing after that worthless mob of heathens.”
Glenda’s eyes flashed wide, then she quickly looked at the floor.
Aleck sat forward. “I take it you disagree with me.”
She shook her head. “No, m’laird.”
Aleck stood and glared at the cowering woman. “I think you do know to where Lady Helen absconded with my child.”
“Honestly.” She crossed herself. “I know not. They must have stolen away in the night. I heard nary a sound.”
The outer door opened and a messenger walked inside. “I’ve a missive for Sir Aleck MacIain.”
Another bloody missive? “From?” he demanded.
“Duntulm Castle. Mistress Mary has birthed a girl, m’lord.”
Glenda snorted and clapped a hand over her mouth.
For a moment, Aleck’s vision failed him. Mistress Mary was supposed to have birthed a lad. He clenched his fists. Were all his plans to be thwarted? He focused his gaze on Glenda. “Do you think this news is humorous?”
“No, m’laird.”
He clomped down the steps and towered over her. “You laughed. I heard you.”
“No, simply blew out my nose a bit too hard.” She curtseyed. “Forgive me m’laird.”
“You’re a liar.” Striking like a whip, Aleck backhanded the mouthy wench.
Glenda stumbled backward, snapping her hands to her face.
Grant stepped forward and pulled his mother behind him.
“Do not touch her,” Aleck roared. “I’ve not yet completed my inquisition.”
Grant faced him. “Leave her be, she confided to me she was as shocked about Lady Helen’s disappearance as everyone else.”
Aleck pointed to the door. “You may wait outside.”
Grant took one step back, then folded his arms. “You ken I’d give you my life, but my mother is old. I’ll take any punishment you choose to inflict upon her.”
Glenda stepped around him. “No, son.”
Aleck stepped toward the woman, ready to issue another strike.
Grant stepped in front of the woman, his jaw set. “I mean what I say. I’ll not stand by whilst you raise a hand against my mother.”
Narrowing his eyes, Aleck gnashed his teeth and balled his fist. With a bray, he delivered the hardest punch he’d ever thrown—right across the insolent henchman’s jaw. Jesus Christ, his knuckles stung, but he wouldn’t let on about it. “Leave my sight and there’ll be no meals for either of you for a day.”
The damned chivalrous guard grasped his mother by the elbow and helped her to the stairwell.
Across the hall the sniveling messenger cleared his throat and held up the missive. “I was told to await a reply, m’laird.”
Aleck snatched it from the imbecile’s hand and read. “God’s teeth, Mary named the bairn Fiona. What kind of name is that?”
“Sir?”
Aleck could have smacked the messenger too. “Tell Mistress Mary there’s been a delay.”
The man bowed. “Thank you, m’laird.”
“Haste ye to your boat, else you’ll feel the cold steel of my hospitality.”
Aleck stormed to the courtyard. “If there’s anyone left in this godforsaken castle whom I can trust, prepare to set sail forthwith.”
“Where to, m’laird?” Robert asked with a bit too much delight.
“Kilchurn Castle.”
“What will you do when you find Lady Helen?” The sadist jailer rubbed his hands.
“I’ll kill her.”
Robert licked his lips. “At Kilchurn? In the presence of her family?”
Aleck swatted the ignoramus on the back of the head. “We sail within the hour.”
He stomped back inside. A man’s supposed to celebrate when the king has just granted him lands. But no. My inept guard allowed my useless wife to escape and now I’ve no choice but to hunt her down.
Helen took a bite of pheasant. “Mm.” She closed her eyes and savored the roasted meat. “We