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Halfdan’s messenger had provided the excuse he needed to drink his disgust away at the way he’d treated Edith. It made it easier somehow that Edith had refused to come down. He had toyed with physically carrying her into the hall, but decided that lacked dignity. He’d ignore her instead. Only now, he had a thick head to deal with.
His stomach roiled. He’d forgotten the morning after the night before. He shook his head. Over two decades a warrior and still capable of such folly.
He slowly stood, swayed and focused on the horse’s manger until there was only one. He brushed the straw from his trousers. He needed his bed, preferably with Edith in it, rather than punishing himself on the practice yard.
He strode across the yard, trying not to blink in the spring sunshine. When he reached his bedchamber, the room was empty and the bed tidily made.
His eyes immediately flew to the stone wall. The loose stone he’d uncovered on the second night had been slightly moved. The scrap of cloth he’d wedged in lay unnoticed on the floor.
Cold sweat broke out on his brow.
Headache forgotten, he crossed the room in three steps and pulled it out. The solitary cup it had contained was gone. He reached back in the cavity. Nothing else.
He placed his hands on the stone. It made no sense. She had given her word to stay. It bothered him that he’d have been prepared to stake his life on her keeping her word. He slammed his fists into the stone. ‘You gave your word. Not you as well. I would have protected you!’
The empty room echoed the words back to him, mocking him. He’d been prepared to forget the hard-learnt lessons about trusting women with her.
He turned on his heel and went out of the room. Suddenly the entire hall and surrounds seemed empty of its beating heart. Edith wasn’t there. He found himself listening for the slightest sound or movement that might mean his fears were for nothing.
‘Edith!’ Silence and stillness except for a grey cat which paused in its pursuit of a mouse to look at him strangely.
He continued on through the kitchens and the physic garden, but there was no tall black-haired lady.
‘Where might I find your cousin?’ he asked Hilda when he spied her sitting half-concealed near the fish pond.
‘My cousin has gone out,’ the overly obvious blonde cousin said, instantly jumping to her feet and dropping a curtsy as her cheeks flamed scarlet. ‘I expect she will return soon. Is there anything I can do for you? I hadn’t expected anyone to come to this place. I...I like to think here.’
She batted her lashes and wet her lips.
Brand’s breath came easier and relief trickled down the back of his neck. Edith would never abandon her cousin. She had risked everything for this woman when he first arrived. It was simply the panic associated with drinking far too much sour ale. ‘Do you know where she has gone? I’ve been looking for her. There are things I wish to discuss with her.’
‘To see Godwin’s mother, I believe.’ The woman fluttered her long lashes, reminding Brand of some large docile cow. He could not see how anyone in his right mind could prefer such a creature to Edith. ‘My cousin wanted to make sure that she was aware of the great honour you wish to bestow on her son. She expected only to be gone a short time. I’m certain she’ll be back directly.’
It all sounded plausible enough, but it didn’t explain about the cup. He clenched his fist. He would discover the answer from Edith when she returned.
‘So early?’
‘My cousin is an early riser. She believes she does her best work in the morning when everything is peaceful.’
‘I wish to speak to her. She is supposed to be my adviser. She should inform me before she does anything or goes anywhere.’
‘That is not how Edith behaves,’ Hilda said, colouring an even brighter shade of pink. ‘She is used to getting her own way and doing what she wants.’
‘She will learn.’
‘Is everything all right between you two? Has she done something you object to? It will be all her own idea if she has. She hates interference in her plans.’
‘Everything is fine.’ Brand concentrated on keeping his voice calm. He wanted to run to where Edith was and make demands, but that would be revealing too much. He hated that he needed her.
Hilda curtsied again. ‘I had wondered, that is all. My cousin is headstrong and impetuous, but her heart is good. She always means well. But she has a temper and can be impossible.’
Brand tilted his head. ‘Is there something I should know? Has Edith confided in you?’
