Page 7 of A Keeper of Time

Angus didn’t know any of them, but there wasn’t any reason he should. More laughter filtered into the great hall from the passageway and a moment later Ashley and Jenna appeared.

“Angus!” they cried.

He opened his arms wide as they ran into them. They were like daughters to him. He hadn’t seen them in some time and he realized he missed them. He kissed each on the top of the head and stood back to look at them. “Yer as beautiful as ever, the both of ye.”

“What are you doing here?” Ashley asked. “Where’s Edna?”

His stomach clenched at this further confirmation that the people of Breaghacraig had no idea where Edna was. “I was hoping ye might ken.”

“Come,” Irene directed them. As they approached the hearth, Irene waved her hand at the men who were seated there and they all took their leave, nodding and bowing to the ladies of the castle.

“Sit, please.” She pointed to one of the now vacant chairs and sat in one opposite him. Ashley and Jenna stood behind her. “Tell me what’s happened,” she said. The seriousness of her expression and her obvious concern told Angus that no matter where Edna was, the Mackenzies were there for him.

“I woke this morning to find Edna gone from our bed. ’Tis not her usual way. I searched but could no’ find her. I assumed she’d crossed the bridge for some reason and the only good reason would be that someone here needed her.”

“We haven’t contacted her,” Ashley said, her features etched with concern.

Jenna bit her lip as she thought for a moment. “We’ve got that snow globe she gave Ashley, but none of us have used it.”

“She’s no’ here, Angus, and I can see that ye’ll need help to find her.” Irene wrung her hands as she stood. “I’ll get Robert and the others. They’ll help ye.”

“Thank ye, Irene. I knew I could count on the Mackenzies.”

“It goes without saying. She is dear to all of us.” Irene motioned to one of her servants. “Find me husband, please.”

With a nod of his head the man took his leave and once he was gone Irene turned back to Angus. “Are ye hungry?” she asked. “I’ll send someone to get ye some food.”

“Nae. Thank ye.” He couldn’t think of eating. The sick feeling in the pit of his belly had only grown since he’d arrived and now understood Edna wasn’t here.

“Doona worry, Angus. We’ll find her,” Irene assured him.

He felt some comfort in her words. He knew they would do their best to help him, no matter where it would lead.

“Is that Angus Campbell I see,” a smiling Helene entered the hall and walked towards them, in her arms was a wee babe.

Angus stood to greet her. “Good day to ye,” he said. “Who have we here?” He gently rubbed the babe’s cheek with his hand forgetting, if only for that moment, why he was at Breaghacraig.

“’Tis Roban.” Helene gazed down at her wee son with pride.

“A wee laddie,” Angus said, smiling. “Dougall must be a proud Da.”

“Aye. Verra,” Helene said. “He’s going to be strong like his Da.” The baby squirmed in her arms and began to fuss. “He’s getting some teeth, poor wee babe.”

Irene stood and took the little one from her arms. “I ken ye doona mind if I take him for a wee bit.”

“’Tis good to see ye,” Helene said, watching Irene and Roban. She reluctantly pulled her gaze from them and turned her attention to Angus. “Is Edna with ye?”

“Nae. ’Tis why I’m here. Edna is missing.” No matter how many times he said it, the words seemed foreign to him.

“Missing?” Helene’s hand flew to her chest as her eyes opened wide with shock. “How? Why?”

“Those are all good questions and I doona ken the answers.”

The sound of boots on stone caused Angus to look up as Robert, the laird of Breaghacraig entered the hall accompanied by Irene’s brothers, Cailin and Cormac. A large black dog, much like Chester, padded along beside Cormac.

“Angus!” Robert called. The men hurried across the room to greet him as he stood.

“Robert, Angus needs yer help. Edna is missing,” Irene explained as she rocked Roban in her arms.