Page 59 of Highland Seduction

“A client?”

“Of sorts,” Ainsley admitted. “He bid me offer coin, which he then used to pay for ale. I was in need of a confidant.”

“Hmm.” Tor watched the Faucon Dieu as they spoke. “Then I am glad ye were able to offer my wife counsel,” he said.

“Tor didnae ask for an annulment.” Ainsley scrunched her nose in a way that reminded him of the first day they met. A fortuitous day, as it happened.

“I didnae think he would,” McGreghere admitted. “If I ever saw my old friend happier, I cannae think of a time. Not even that night I visited Castle MacRob and we went into the village. Do ye remember Royce—”

“I think Ainsley may no’ wish to hear that particular story.”

McGreghere thought on that for a moment. “Aye, ye’re right, my friend. Apologies.”

“Tell me,” Ainsley begged.

“Never,” Tor said, knowing he’d do so that eve. Ainsley would not relent until he did. He loved that about her. In fact, he loved everything about his wife and knew he should tell her as much. He’d just hoped, perhaps . . .

“Tor,” McGreghere said, “the ship captain.”

Though he’d been looking at the gangplank, Tor had not seen the captain waving to him. Leaving Ainsley with McGreghere, he made his way to the dock and onto the ship.

“The tide calls us to sea,” the man said. “We must be gone.”

“But ye’re missing two passengers,” he said, as much for himself as for the captain.

“Aye, MacRob,” he said, Tor having introduced himself earlier, “and whether it be yer clanswoman or no’, we cannae wait.”

“They knew to be here by sunrise?”

“If they booked passage on my ship, aye.”

The captain had explained that he did not take the coin himself. Their fleet had four ships, each helmed by a different captain who would collect coin, which they shared. Ian and Marta apparently booked their passage with a captain in the fleet already out to sea, but arranged to leave this morn on the Faucon Dieu.

Which meant Marta and Ian simply had not come. Why? Were they in danger? Had they been harmed, preventing them from boarding the ship?

Tor thanked the man for his troubles and made his way back to Ainsley. Before he reached her, his wife was pointing behind him.

“They are leaving,” she exclaimed. “Without Ian and Marta.”

Tor turned to watch as the Faucon Dieu already began to pull away.

“Aye,” he confirmed. “They didnae come.”

The three of them watched as the Faucon Dieu left port. None said a word as it grew smaller and smaller. The peace of that morn’s calm sea was now at odds with Tor’s disposition. Disappointed they’d not intercepted Marta and Ian and worried for their safety, he contemplated what to do next.

“Will ye wait here with her as I get food for ye both, to break our fast?” he asked McGreghere. “We should remain,” he said to Ainsley, “for a bit longer, to ensure they dinnae come.”

McGreghere agreed as Ainsley’s head dropped. He knew her disappointment. They’d been so sure this was the morn they would find Marta and Ian alive. When they would learn what had happened. Convince the couple to return home with them. Tor even hoped they might shed light on the priest’s role, if any, in their disappearance. He was convinced now Father Godfrey knew something, but time was running short. If they could not find the couple, or the priest, soon, he and Ainsley would be forced to return before the next full moon.

For without Marta and Ian, there was no proof either was alive, even if they knew it to be true. And without proof, the feud was still alive and well. Which meant . . .

Nay. His brother could not marry. They had to find another way.

With a quick kiss on her cheek, Tor left Ainsley behind with the lawyer. They would spend their remaining time in Berwick searching. For Marta and Ian. For the priest. But if neither could be found, they would need to leave.

Tor smiled.

At least he’d not be doing so empty-handed.