“Alex, round the men,” Kevin barked. “We’ll find her, Lady Madelyn,” he assured, coming to her side. “She’s probably just become lost or suffered a minor injury.” Both men knew she would have made it back in either case.

“Find my daughter, Kevin,” she ordered. “Bring her home.”

“Aye, lady.”

Alex ran from the keep, alerting James to ready the horses. Then he took off for the practice fields to find Hugh. He felt personally responsible as he was the last to speak with Lady Gwendolyn. Her smile and salute replaying in his mind as she assured him that she would, indeed, speak to Kevin.

Fifteen search parties of ten set off in different directions, and fifty men stayed behind. Forty stood outside the keep’s closed gates while ten remained within.

Kevin, Hugh, and Alex rode alone, taking the path they were sure their mistress ran that morning.

“Mother, what on earth’s wrong?” Isabelle asked, coming into the nursery. “I’ve never heard him carry on so.”

“Gwen hasn’t returned from her run, and the men just left to search for her.”

Isabelle walked to her mother, rubbing her eyes. She was exhausted, too tired to display the alarm that she felt. “When was he last fed?” she asked, reaching for her nephew.

“Anna thinks before dawn. Gwen left earlier than usual according to Alex.”

“Shh, shh, shh, ’tis okay, Tristan. Mama will be home soon. Shh, shh, shh.” ’Twas no use, he was in a deep fit. “Well, what’s one more mouth to feed.” Isabelle sighed. “Come, sweet, we’ll have you asleep in no time.”

“We could find a wet nurse, Isabelle.”

“I’m the embodiment of a wet nurse,” Isabelle declared in exasperation. “I could probably feed every babe upon the holding if I had to.”

“I’ll come fetch him in a while so you may rest.”

“Please tell me of Gwen, Mother, as soon as you hear something.”

“Of course, Isabelle.”

By midafternoon, Alex’s, Kevin’s, and Hugh’s worst fears were confirmed. Their mistress had been taken, and from the evidence they found, by force. Her medallions hung from a tree trunk and fresh blood spotted the stream’s edge where she’d obviously been surrounded and knocked to the ground.

They counted five sets of tracks and followed their path. She’d tried to outrun them. Torn brush revealed the signs of her struggle as she tried to make open land but yards away. They happened on the boulder where she’d lost her fight. ’Twas covered with blood and strands of her hair. Her wedding band was displayed atop.

Kevin ordered Alex and Hugh to return. The search parties were to meet at dusk and they’d follow the trail after regrouping. Alex, however, refused to leave. “I’ll not go. I’m directly responsible for her.”