Page 2 of The Wolf Laird's Obsession
It was empty.
The bed was untouched, the covers smooth. And on the pillow lay a folded note.
She crossed the room, stumbling as she reached for the paper. Her fingers trembled, almost dropping the parchment as she struggled to unfold it.
I cannot do it. I am sorry. I know I am ruining everything. But at least… at least I am alive.
Ailis’s handwriting wavered across the page, the ink smudged where her tears had fallen. Sorcha’s tears threatened to do the same.
Ye daft lass, what have ye done?
Sorcha took a deep breath, steadying herself as she stepped into the corridor. A maid hurried past with linens piled high.
“Ye, fetch Flora. At once.” The urgency in her voice left no room for questions.
She stepped back into the room and started pacing, looking around desperately for anything else. Anything that Ailis could have left behind to explain what was going on.
But there was nothing.
“Me Lady… I came to find ye.”
Flora, her maid, appeared in the doorway. The moment their eyes met, Sorcha’s expression faltered.
Sorcha walked over to her, holding out the note without a word. She did not trust herself to keep her composure if she spoke.
Flora read it quickly, and to Sorcha’s surprise, she did not look as bewildered as Sorcha had expected.
“Aye,” Flora whispered. “The guards spoke with an English butler at first light. He was carrying a letter with yer uncle’s seal. They let Lady Ailis go with him. The carriage is already heading to London.”
London.
Sorcha leaned against the wall, holding herself upright as she went over every moment leading up to this point.
“I should’ve ken.” Tears threatened to fall, but she kept everything in her body tight, nearly snapping at the effort tospeak as guilt overtook her. “She looked so frightened. I-I never thought she’d go this far.”
The thought of Ailis alone and terrified on the road twisted sharply in her chest.
I should’ve stayed the night with her. Listened more. Anythin’…
“It’s nae yer fault, me Lady.” Flora’s eyes were kind as she tried to reassure her. “She’s always been strong-spirited, that one. I daenae ken if there is anythin’ ye could’ve done.”
Sorcha was not convinced.
But she would not wallow.
She straightened, shaking off the overwhelm. She had to find her brother. Quickly.
“Be that as it may, Laird MacLaren willnae think so. And neither will Callan. Where is he? Does he ken?”
“In the council chamber.” Flora eyed her warily. “He doesnae ken yet.”
Sorcha nodded, not wasting a moment as she nearly ran to the council chamber, her pulse thundering in her ears.
She knew that expecting anything less than anger from Callan was impossible in this situation. And though she felt nearly ill at the prospect of Ailis’ abandonment, a part of her couldn’t help but admire her sister.
At least she has been brave enough to choose herself.
But now Sorcha would have to take the brunt of it.
