Pursing his lips into a tight line, Jude tried to purge the thought that Hugh might be dead from his mind. He could not believe that the men who stole Hugh would kill him, but still, after so many dead ends trying to find Hugh, he didn’t want to get his hopes up that his search would end this day.
Squinting his eyes, he watched as Adam stepped through the front door and entered the lion’s den. All Jude and his men could do now was wait.
“Easy,” Jude said as he heard the rustling of branches behind him. “Let Adam deliver the message.”
“And if the messenger is killed?” Felix asked.
“We storm the manor and take back what they have taken from me. I counted only a handful of servants and nae many soldiers. Could be the Earl isnae as well funded as we were led to believe. Pray we have luck on our side and it willnae come to that,” Jude said with a hint of disgust in his tone.
Jude’s mind raced with many possibilities. His eyes shifted to the side door and wondered how many men stood guard at the entrance. As he calculated his next move, he noticed in the corner of his eye Adam rushing out of the door.
Jude watched as Adam weaved around the courtyard until he made his way to Jude and the rest of the men. Panting and gasping for air, Adam held his hand up. Jude tapped his foot impatiently until Adam regained his breathing.
“What news?” Jude asked holding onto Adam by the shoulders. Adam looked up from his dark bushy eyebrows and pointed.
“The Earl…he’s wantin’ to meet with ye,” Adam said.
“And me son? Any word of him?” Jude asked shaking Adam aggressively. Adam shook his head as he stood straighter.
“Nay word,” Adam said, “but the Earl has stated he will only speak with ye.”
“Is that so?” Jude lifted his head and glared at the manor. He scanned the windows. With no sign of movement, he questioned the Earl’s motives.
“Stay put,” Jude said. “I go alone.”
“Ye cannae do that,” Felix said reaching his hand out to stop him. “What if he demands ye for yer son? Then where will we be?”
“It doesnae matter to me. Hugh is the only priority. If I trade places, then ensure he gets back to the castle safely.” Jude turned his head and stared at Felix. Arching an eyebrow, he paused. Felix’s shoulders dropped as he shook his head.
“M’Laird, what if the girl was right, though? What if this is all a trap? We cannae in good consciousness let ye enter there alone.”
Jude turned his attention to Adam. “What did the Earl say exactly?”
Adam shrugged. “Just that he would speak with ye about the matter.”
“Did he mention anythin’ about comin’ with men?” Jude asked.
“Nay,” Adam answered. “Nothin’ about seein’ ye alone.”
“Then we go,” Felix answered with great enthusiasm.
“Nay,” Jude said holding his hand out to stop his men from giving away their position. “Go back to Ronan and check on the girl. I’ll go alone.”
“And if ye daenae come back out? What do we do with her?” Adam asked, glancing to Felix. A wicked grin drifted over Felix’s lips as he tapped the hilt of his sword.
“Keep her,” Jude said. “She may be of some use to us later.”
Without further hesitation, Jude stepped out of the shadows of the forest. He cleared his throat as he walked towards the manor. With each step he took, he felt his chest tighten. Keeping his eyes peeled, he searched for any signs of danger.
Stepping up to the oak door, he paused with his hand raised. Before he could crash his knuckles to the door, it opened for him. A stout man with beady eyes smiled at him and bowed.
“Laird of Hanvale, do come in,” the man said. “What brings you here this day?”
“Ye ken very well why I’m here,” Jude snapped. “Where’s me son?”
“The Earl is waiting for you in the study. Please follow me,” the servant said as he turned and walked through the grand entrance.
Jude’s eyes widened as he scanned the open space. His heart tightened as he looked about. Several servants peeked around the corners to get a look at him. Each had the same desperate expression on their face that caused Jude’s heart to quicken.
“Here we are,” the servant said opening double doors. Orange light spilled out of the room as Jude stepped in. The heat from the roaring fire slapped his face as he hesitated at the door. Shifting his eyes to the two large armchairs near the fire, he spotted the thin man with a hooked nose and gray hair.
Slowly, the man stood and arched an eyebrow as Jude entered. His footsteps echoed in the large room filled with books and a reddish-brown desk in the corner of the room.
“Ah, you must be the Laird of Hanvale,” the man said rising to his feet. “I’m the Earl of Wintersmith. What may I do for you today?”
“Where is he?” Jude demanded reaching for his sword. The Earl shook his head and extended his hand.
“And who are you speaking about?”
“Ye have me son, where is he?” Jude said as his fingers tightened around the hilt of his sword.
“There is no need for violence,” the Earl said. “I will give you what you asked for as soon as you tell me who your son is,” the Earl said.
“I was told ye have a young boy, nae older than nine. Are ye tellin’ me there’s nae such a person here?”
The Earl rubbed his chin as Jude watched the wheels turn in his head. “I see. There is such a boy in my care. I was told to protect him from his father. Clearly,” the Earl turned to face Jude, “you are now here to collect him. Well, I must confess, I’m pleased not to have to deal with him any longer. I could barely understand
