Mad for the Plaid Read Free Page A

is?”
    â€œLord Hamilton left verrah early this morning.”
    â€œWhat?” Lady Edana blinked. “Are you certain?”
    â€œI saw him myself, I did. I’d just sent the upstairs maids aboot their dooties when he came sneakin’ doon the stairs.”
    â€œSneaking?” Ailsa asked.
    â€œI would nae call it other, fer he was bent o’er and walkin’ like this—” She hunched her shoulders and mimicked someone tiptoeing.
    â€œNonsense,” Edana announced, her neck a mottledred. “Hamilton would never move in such a-a-a subversive fashion!”
    Ailsa ignored her. “Did Lord Hamilton say anything?”
    â€œJust ‘guid morning.’ He’d just sent one of the footmen to have his coach brought round, though. I dinnae think aught of it as he sometimes leaves early for Caskill Manor if he’s plannin’ on going huntin’ and such. ’Twas obvious he dinnae wish fer company, so I left him in the foyer. When I came back later, he was gone.”
    Ignoring the strange hissing sound now coming from Edana, Ailsa smiled comfortingly at the housekeeper. “So you would nae know if he left with someone.”
    â€œNae, I—” The housekeeper gasped. “Lord, do ye think he’s run off with Her Grace?”
    Edana made a strangled noise while Ailsa said, “I think ’tis possible Her Grace decided to visit Caskill Manor at Lord Hamilton’s invitation.”
    â€œAh!” The housekeeper pursed her lips. “I thought there might be some courtin’ goin’ on, what with all the whisperin’ and such, although I never imagined they’d elope—”
    â€œThat is quite enough!” Edana snapped, her eyes blazing. “Mrs. Attnee, I will thank you for not spreading vile rumors!”
    â€œThere, there,” Ailsa said soothingly. “The truth does nae always come in a neat box. Sometimes ’tis a messy package, best opened when fortified by drink.”
    Mrs. Attnee nodded wisely. “I’ll pour some sherry.” She made her way to the small stand near the window, poured sherry into a small crystal glass, and brought it to Lady Edana.
    Lady Edana took the glass gratefully. “That harpy ! I cannot believe Daffyd would—”
    An abrupt knock on the door heralded the entry of MacGill. Tall and gaunt, the butler looked abnormally pale, his eyes wide. “My lady, a message has come from Caskill Manor.”
    â€œNo!” Edana threw up a hand. “Do not say Lord Hamilton has eloped with Her Grace!”
    Mr. MacGill looked shocked. “Nae, my lady. Nae that. The steward at Caskill sent word. Mr. Grant says Lord Hamilton sent a note last night that he and a guest were to be expected early this mornin’ and his lordship requested a sumptuous breakfast fit fer a queen—”
    Lady Edana choked, and then held out her glass for more sherry, which Mrs. Attnee instantly brought.
    MacGill cast a cautious look at the countess before he continued. “His lordship and his guest never arrived.”
    â€œWhat?” Ailsa asked, and for the first time, a true flicker of worry pinched her.
    â€œGrant sent a footman here to ask after Lord Hamilton. On the way, the lad found his lordship’s carriage left on the road, blocked by a felled tree. The groom, both footmen, and three outriders were wounded, whilst one outrider was naewhere to be seen.”
    Ailsa’s hands trembled, so she gripped them together. How could this be? Our guests, abducted?
    â€œThere’s more,” MacGill said in a grim tone. “The side of the coach was peppered wi’ bullets.”
    Mrs. Attnee gasped while Lady Edana went pale. Ailsa found herself on her feet. “The duchess and Lord Hamilton were nae—” She couldn’t say the words.
    â€œNae, my lady. There was blood on the carriage seat; only a few droplets, nae more.” MacGill’s brows lowered.