In Pursuit of a Scottish Lady (Moonstone Magic Book 2)

by Hunt, Brenda

  Colin looked up and saw Elsbeth with tears in her eyes. He nodded slightly to her and she nodded back to him. T’was a good day when Aiden found Colin and brought him home, she thought.

  “Ye must be hungry. Let me get ye some food. Plans are better made on a full stomach,” stated Elsbeth glad to have Master Colin home. She needed to be doing something. Colin would bring Lili back. He would make certain Edward paid for what he did to Lili. There was more to Colin Wells, of that, Elsbeth was certain.

  Colin sat down to the meal Elsbeth put in front of him. Aiden sat at his side, Ali on his other side as close as she could get. He knew they were frightened. He was, too, more frightened than he ever thought possible. But he must make certain, they understood, he would bring Lili back to them, to him. He ate what Elsbeth put in front of him, his mind working, formulating a plan.

  “Ali, tell me exactly what he said and what he did. Can you remember?” asked Colin when he finished eating. Davis and Rab had returned. Elsbeth put a plate in front of Davis.

  Colin turned to face Ali when she nodded. “I could hear from my hidey hole. He said he was taking her to London. Something about owing a man money. Lili said we didn’t have any money. He said something about selling Lili, I think. I didn’t understand.”

  Colin heard Elsbeth sharp intake of breath. He understood just as Elsbeth had. If that was true and he had no doubt it was, Edward would pay dearly for that. He was now more than ever determined to get to Lili before they got to London.

  “I watched them leave from the window. Lili was dressed like you.”

  Colin was momentarily taken aback. “Like me.”

  “Un hunh! In boys clothes. He tied a rope to her. She looked at me when she rode off Colin. She said something but I couldn’t hear her.” Ali looked at Colin. “Did I do good to hide? When Lili yelled at me, I got scared.”

  Colin wrapped his arms around Ali and comforted her. “You did exactly what Lili wanted you to do. She wanted you safe. Safe to be able to tell us what happened. You did very good, little one.”

  Colin knew Lili would do whatever to keep Ali safe from that monster, including sacrificing herself. It just made his blood boil to think of how fearful Ali had been and still was. He tried not to think of what Lili was going through. Edward was trying to disguise Lili while they traveled. Colin was now certain, Edward would avoid any of the major towns from here to London. If he pushed himself, he could get to London in several days. Hopefully, he could find what road they took. That would give him a better clue to which major road they took. Edward would not know the area so he would need to stay on major roads.

  Aiden looked at Colin. “How will you find her?”

  “I will try to find which road they used and follow them to London. I’m going to try to catch them before they get there but they have a big head start.”

  “But London is so big,” stated Aiden. Lili had told him about it.

  Colin nodded. It was, but he also had a great deal of influence there. There would be no place for Edward to hide even in London. He would take London apart if he had to. Hopefully, he would be able to catch up with them before they arrived.

  “Do not worry, Aiden. I have friends in London who can help me. I need all of you to understand, this will take some time. It may be a fortnight or more, before Lili and I make it back here. I don’t want you to worry, because I promise you, I will find her, and I will bring her back.”

  Ali and Aiden nodded. Colin could see the doubt in Elsbeth’s eyes. He would have to explain to her exactly what he meant. “A think it is time for bed,” stated Elsbeth. “We need to give Colin time to rest.”

  “Will you wake us up when you leave in the morning?” asked Aiden.

  “I promise you,” replied Colin. He looked to Elsbeth. She nodded. “I’ll come up shortly to tuck you into bed.”

  Colin watched as Elsbeth and the twins went upstairs. He turned to Rab, “I want you to show me what you found and how far you followed them in the morning.”

  Rab nodded. “Do ye think he’s gonna hurt her again?”

  Colin clenched his fists at just the thought. “For his sake, he had better not, but no matter, he will not get away with this.”

  “A tried to follow them. A thought A’d catch up with them but A didn’t.”

  Colin looked at Rab. He knew how devoted Rab was to Lili. “I know you did your best Rab. It was not your fault, nor your mother’s.”

  “We shouldnae left them alone.”

  “I’m certain Edward would have found a way to get her.”

  “Is there anything I can do to help?” asked Davis.

  Colin shook his head. “Once I leave, you are to help in whatever Rab or Elsbeth need.”

  Elsbeth joined them. “They are in bed but A donnae know if they will sleep.”

  Colin nodded. “Hopefully, Aiden will tell her of things he did when we were in Edinburgh. Elsbeth, Davis is here to help Rab do the repairs, he and I were doing. I have monies, I will leave with you. If you need someone to help you with the keep, please hire them. I want to put the keep back into its former status.”

  Elsbeth looked at him with greater regard. She always believed him to be more than he said. He carried himself with the dignity of one of nobility. “Ach, my lord,” she answered.

  Colin raised an eyebrow. It was the first time, Elsbeth called him such. He would let her know more about who he was. He would need her in his corner when he explained to Lili who he was.

  “T’is best you get some rest. A will fix ye enough food for several days so ye can ride as much as ye need to.”

  “Good. The more miles I can cover the better. Let me go upstairs and say good night to the twins. Elsbeth, I expect you to keep telling them, I will be back with Lili. Because I will.”

  “A will.”

  Colin nodded and left Elsbeth asking Davis questions about himself. Upstairs, he walked into the twins’ bedroom. They were not asleep. He was not surprised. He sat on Ali’s bed. Aiden came from his bed to sit beside Colin.

  “It’s time for you two to get some sleep.”

  “You promise to bring Lili home?” asked Ali.

  Colin could see the worry in her face. He hated to have her so worried. Lili was right. Ali was her worrier. He grabbed her hand and Aiden’s hand and brought them to his heart.

  “I promise.”

  Aiden nodded. “Ali, Colin always does what he says he will do.”

  Ali nodded. “Angels to watch over thee. Angels to watch over Lili,” prayed Ali.

  “Angels to watch over Lili,” replied Aiden and Colin.

  Colin tucked Ali in and kissed her forehead. He walked to Aiden’s bed and helped him draw his covers up. He patted him on the shoulder and walked out. He stood just outside their door hesitant. He turned toward his room but changed his mind. Instead he turned toward Lili’s room. He needed to be close to her things at the moment.

  Colin walked in and was immediately assailed with the smell of Lili. That clean fresh smell with just the hint of heather. For a moment, he stood with his eyes closed and just breathed in her smell. It was at that moment, the pain and fear hit him. The doubt of being able to get to her ripped him apart. For what seemed like an eternity, he stood there, letting the essence of her surround him. In actuality, it was but a few minutes. He shook his head. No, he refused to think that way. Lili was strong. It was one to the things he most admired about her. She would do whatever it took, to keep the twins safe, even if meant sacrificing herself. And that was his biggest fear. No, he would find her and bring her back to Glendenning. He would not settle for anything less. He just prayed he would get to her in time before-----. He refused to think in that direction. No, he repeated to himself. Nothing would happen to her. With grave determination, he turned on his heel, walked out and back to his room. He needed sleep, if he was going to ride like the devil after her. He was a person possessed.

  Chapter 12

  Nothing is unimportant to a man plunged in despair.
>
  Epigram

  Worth rode into the stable yard of Mannery House and handed the startled groom that was exiting the stable the reins to Athena.

  “Rub her down good. See to it she is well taken care of. She and I have been riding long and hard these last few days.” He stopped for a moment and rubbed her muzzle. She nickered softly. “I promise you, I will find her,” he whispered in her ear.

  The young lad nodded and grabbed the offered reins. The black Hessian that stood before him was an excellent example of horse flesh. The Duke would find such an animal and bring her home.

  Worth took long strides through the yard and entered Mannery House through the back servants entrance. He did not want it known yet, he was back in London. Several of his staff sat about the kitchen table.

  “Meyers, I need to send a message to the Marquess of Lynden. I need it delivered as soon I have it written. I also need to send a message to Bow Street to a runner named Oxley. I need to speak with him immediately as well.”

  Worth watched as his staff rose in unison. None were surprised to see him come through the servants’ entrance. He had done it numerous times in the past. His sudden appearance is what surprised them. But then, he had been known to suddenly appear at all hours of the day and night. They were not surprised to see the condition of his appearance of dirt and grime.

  “Bennings, please see to a bath for me and set out my most elegant clothes. I want the Duke of Worthingston to be seen in all his glory.” He knew Bennings would dress him to the nines.

  Worth continued walking through on his way to the study. There was much to be done and he had no time to lose. His staff scattered about doing whatever they could to help. By riding long and hard he had made it to London only half a day behind Edward and Lili. But London was a large area and they could lose themselves, if they set their mind on it. That was why he needed Oxley.

  Meyers had been the head butler for the past twenty years, here at Mannery House. He was perhaps the only person besides those in the war department, who knew about the Duke’s reconnoiter trips on the continent. He followed close on the Duke’s heels.

  The Duke did not come in issuing orders like this, if there was not something serious afoot. He had been gone for several months now. His correspondence with the staff had been minimal but it was what he, Meyers and the staff had long been used to. But this time, the sense of urgency was imminent.

  Worth threw open the doors to his study and went straight to his desk. He pulled paper and quill and began to write. He just prayed Lynden was home. He was in need of his assistance.

  Lynden was the other of the trio that had become fast friends in their years at Eaton. Grayson had died in an accident. Grayson’s brother, Beck had taken Grayson place in many ways. But Beck was still at Brandanlynn with his new bride. That left Lynden. If he was in London, he had no doubt, Lynden would be at his side.

  Quickly, he wrote and sealed it. He wrote another short note, signed and sealed it, as well. He turned to Meyers. “Have someone deliver this immediately to the Marquess. If he is not at his home but is in London, find him and deliver it to him personally.” Worth handed him the first note.

  “This one needs to go to Bow Street. I need this one delivered to Oxley. He is one of the runners. He also needs to get this immediately, as well.”

  Meyers nodded as he took the envelopes. “Of course, your grace. Begging your pardon, this appears to be extremely important. Is there anything, we the staff can do here, while we wait?’

  “This is a matter of life and death, Meyers, and time is of the utmost importance,” stressed Worth.

  Meyers went to the door and gave instructions to the doormen awaiting just outside the door.

  Worth sat back in his chair for a moment and let out a breath of frustration. For the past five days, he had ridden long and hard hoping to get to London on the heels of Edward and Lili. He was only half a day behind them. But during the ride, his mind had imagined all sorts of scenarios, none of which had been in Lili’s best interest. He was tired, angry, and for the first time in a very long time, frightened. He did not deal with being frightened very well.

  Meyers turned and looked at his employer. He noticed the worry lines in his face. The concern in his face was something he had never seen before. Whatever was going on was serious, very serious.

  “Where is mother?” asked Worth.

  “She is at Stoneybrook, your grace,” answered Meyers.

  “Good. She doesn’t need to be involved with this.”

  “When was the last time you ate, your grace?” asked Meyers. Knowing his grace as he did, he was certain he had forgotten to eat.

  Worth looked at him for a long moment. He raised his eyebrow. “Sometime yesterday, I believe,” he answered.

  “Then let me see to it a tray is prepared.” Upon the duke’s nod, Meyers left to see to the tray.

  Worth walked over to the sideboard and poured himself a liberal glass of whiskey. He downed half of it. The burn as it went down calmed him a bit. But the ride from Glendenning to London had left him too much time to think. He was much too jaded to think that any of this would end well.

  And the thought put a knot in his stomach that felt like the whole keep resided there. There were so many pitfalls in London, Edward could have sunk into and bring Lili down with him. He knew of those places. He avoided those places but he knew they existed. Such thoughts frightened him, more than he had ever been frightened in his entire life. None of his trips of espionage for the war department in France had ever frightened him as this did now.

  One very serious conclusion he had come to on his long ride to London, he loved Lili. The thought of never seeing her again was more than his heart could bear. He passed a hand over his face in frustration. No, he could not lose her now that he had finally come to that conclusion. His heart said he would not, could not, but his mind kept telling him, there was a very real possibility.

  Worth downed the rest of the whiskey and began pacing. He always thought better when he paced. Oxley owed him and would turn over every rock and cranny till he found Edward. Of that, he was certain. Find Edward and he would find Lili. He would not stop until Lili was found, even if it meant turning over every board in London.

  “I have a tray being prepared,” said Meyers. His grace was pacing back and forth in front of the fireplace. This did not bode well. His grace only paced when there was a great problem to be dealt with.

  Worth smiled wryly. Meyers was always trying to take care of him. In fact, Meyers was the only man besides his father he had trusted growing up. He suddenly realized Meyers had grown older just as he had. His dark hair was now heavily streaked with white and there were now wrinkles about his blue eyes. His blue eyes reminded him of Lili’s, only hers were a bit brighter, clearer.

  “I need to speak with you, Meyers. What I am about to tell you is not to leave this room. I am expecting you to silence any and all rumors that may come about in the next few days, both here with the staff and any visitors that may also come calling,” explained Worth.

  “Of course, your grace,” answered Meyers with concern. It must be very serious indeed if the duke was giving him these instructions.

  “You and the Marquess will be privy to this information. As you are aware I have been in Scotland these last few months. It is there, I have met the future duchess.” Worth watched as Meyers eyes grew wide. He smiled.

  “Yes, the future duchess. While I traveled to Edinburgh for a few days, her uncle returned and has forced her here to London. He is not a very good man. I am here to rescue her. Should the Marquess be home and able to help me, I plan on searching and finding Lili, Lady McGowan. Whatever happens, I will rely on you to keep all of this discreet. I am not certain how I will find her or in what condition I may find her.” Worth explained.

  He could not think of her being abused but everything he had learned from Elsbeth and Aiden and the little Lili had admitted to, he did not trust this Edward in the least. He had h
ad too much time to think while riding here. He had seen what evil men could do. Actually, had seen too much of it in his lifetime. He knew how desperate men operated and Edward was a desperate man.

  “Of course, your grace,” replied Meyers. His curiosity was piqued but he would do whatever the duke needed to protect the future duchess. His loyalty to this family was everything to him. He now wished he knew more about the future duchess. Maybe, there was something more he could do to help. “I will do whatever you need of me.”

  Worth nodded. “There may be other things I may require of you. Some may not make much sense at the time, but I have my reasons.”

  “Of course, your grace. Whatever you require of me, of the staff, we will do. We trust your judgement, for I am certain it will be for the best.”

  “Good.” Worth paused for a moment. “I just thought of something. The Lady McGowan will need some clothes.” Worth stopped to think.

  He closed his eyes for a moment. Who in his staff was similar to Lili? He just didn’t know. So much to think about. He had always been able to see to all the details including the minor ones. But never had all the details been this important. Worth passed a hand through his hair in frustration.

  “Your grace, allow me to make a suggestion if I may?” offered Meyers. He has never seen the duke so distraught. Yes, the death of Lady Caroline, and then her husband Lord Grayson soon afterward. No, that had just made him angry. This had a different quality about it.

  Worth looked at Meyers. “Let me bring you a tray upstairs. Your bath should be ready by now. Go upstairs, bathe, and dress. Hopefully, by that time, the Marquess and Mr. Oxley will be here. Together, you can decide how best to proceed.”

  Worth nodded. Meyers was right. A good meal and bath would help clear his head. There were just too many scenarios still going through his head. He needed to think clearly.