Entrusted to a Highlander (Highland Promise Trilogy #2) - Donna Fletcher Page 0,107

have too,” Arran said.

“There was one place she hid that you never found,” Purity said with a smile.

“Don’t keep us waiting,” Royden said, annoyed that their sister had managed to outwit them again.

“The trees,” Purity said, “especially the large oak. She’d climb near to the top.”

The two brothers shook their heads.

“She’d have a good view from there,” Royden said. “She would have seen and heard everything and would have had to have the courage to remain hidden no matter what she witnessed.”

“If she was courageous enough to do that, then she’s courageous enough to survive,” Arran said.

“We search,” Royden declared.

Purity remained silent, thinking of ways to at least delay the brothers’ search for their sister.

A couple of hours later, Purity and Arran watched Royden take his leave. He was barely out of sight when Purity took her husband’s hand and with a playful smile tugged at him to follow. “I have something to show you in the barn.”

His wife gave a yelp when he grabbed her and scooped her up in his arms. “I prefer our bedchamber. It’s more private and we can linger without worry of being disturbed. Besides, the air is crisp today and I don’t want you to be cold when naked and on all fours.”

She poked him in the shoulder. “You better see it done this time. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it.”

“I’m glad I’m not the only one to have been suffering,” he said and turned to hurry up the keep steps.

The pounding of horses’ hooves had him turning and seeing two of Wolf’s men approach the keep. He quickly and regretfully placed his wife on her feet and took her hand to hurry down the steps.

Arran wasn’t surprised to see Royden following behind them. He must have seen them and surmised they had found something and followed.

The warriors dismounted and Purity squeezed her husband’s hand when she saw what one warrior held grasped in his hand.

It was the Abbott’s robe and there was blood on it.

Chapter 27

What troubled Purity even more was what the other warrior held. It was a broken spear with carved symbols on what remained of the handle and dried blood covered the blade. She had seen those same symbols on Brynjar’s warriors’ spears.

“Where was it found?” Arran demanded, taking the blood-stained robe from the warrior.

“Between here and where Brynjar is camped. The tracker could only take us so far, the trail ending suddenly,” the warrior explained.

“And the broken spear?” Arran asked.

“It was a short distance from the robe,” the warrior said. “The blood is dry and with the entire blade being covered with it, I’d say the wound it left is deep and more likely fatal.”

“But you’ve found no sign of the Abbott?” Arran asked to clarify.

“Not a hint,” the warrior said, shaking his head. “But then Brynjar excels in covering his tracks.”

“Continue your search,” Arran ordered and the warrior nodded and mounted his horse along with the other warrior and rode off.

Arran looked to his brother. “It’s time to see this done.”

“Don’t tell me you’re going to confront Brynjar,” Purity said, fraught with worry as to what that might mean and thinking of anything she could say to keep him there with her. “This could be a trap to get you away from the keep and village, leaving those here vulnerable.”

“That is a possibility,” Arran admitted. “But I think Brynjar is looking to force me to face him and bring this to an end. I also have a responsibility to Abbott Thomas. If Brynjar holds him prisoner, then I must rescue him. I cannot let him suffer at a madman’s hands. Or if he succumbed to his wound then I must find his body and return it to the monastery for proper burial. My clan would expect no less of me. And what I expect from my wife is that she will remain safely tucked in the keep while I’m gone.”

“And how safe will I be with you not here?” she asked, her hands going to rest on her hips and her eyes not hiding her annoyance and worry.

Arran snagged his wife around the waist and eased her against him. “You’ll be safe because you’ll listen to your husband and remain in the keep and not cause him needless worry.”

“And what of the worry he causes his wife?” she argued.

He brushed his lips across hers, afraid if he tasted them fully he wouldn’t stop. “It is several hours before nightfall. I will see this done and