“How would you know such a thing about a stranger?” His smile was amused and he crossed his arms, studying me.
“One can get a measure of a person at the first—or second—meeting.” I shrugged. “I believe I know your heart.”
He smirked. “I assure you, you do not. But I’m intrigued. Go on.”
“The way you reacted to Graham’s letter told me that you are close to him, so close, in fact, that you care aboutme. And if you care about me, you must have at least a working knowledge of who I am. Graham no doubt regaled you of many tales regarding my impulsivity and stubbornness. You would know that I am not to be reasoned with. And considering you do not owe anything to my family, only to Graham, you would not see the necessity of stopping me.”
He laughed, the unique sound of it reminding me of our first meeting three years ago. I’d been struck by it at the time and it had endeared him to me. I’d nearly forgotten all about it.
“Your logic is dizzying, and yet somehow I could make sense of it. True, I do have a working knowledge of you. I feel I know you almost as well as Graham does. But then it begs the question as to why you’d trust me?”
My smile slowly spread. “Simple. Anyone who loves Graham is trustworthy. And you were so quick to leave Edleroy to save him, your love wasclear as day.”
“Well,loveis a bit strong. I’ve grown fond of the laddie over the years.” He pulled a side of his mouth up in a show of sarcasm.
“You can deny it all you like, but you probably love him as much as I do.”
“I hope not. Running a business with him is one thing; I’d never want to be married to him.” He turned to Patrice. “So, how did you get roped into this scheme of hers?”
Patrice had been standing there listening to our conversation, with great amusement, by the look on her face. She wasn’t one to speak first, but that didn’t mean she was afraid to speak. “I cannae let her run aroun’ the sea without me. Life is too borin’ without her.”
Mr. Ashby caught my eye again. “I can imagine so.”
I crossed my arms, pleased by the conversation. “That settles it, then. We are on this journey together.”
“Aye,” Patrice agreed. “Yoked together for better or worse.”
Mr. Ashby clicked his tongue. “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. You may yet regret asking for my help. If the worst does come, I would not blame you for abandoning me.”
“I’m not the sort to abandon people. That, apparently, is Graham’s modus operandi,” I said bitterly.
Mr. Ashby sighed but didn’t speak to that. “I’ll get you both rooms for the night,” he said, walking to the innkeeper.
I took hold of his elbow. “I have no intention of staying the night here. Our horses will rest for an hour, then we will return to the road toward Leith.”
Mr. Ashby turned his body fully to me, brows furrowed. “You wish to arrive at the port by morning?”
“You mean to tell me that you rushed from my home with the intention of wasting time in Selkirk?”
“My carriage ride was slower than anticipated. The wheel is being fixed and the horses must be changed. It only made sense to spend the night.”
“Leave the carriage. Let’s get you a fast horse so you can keep up. We depart at one in the morning.” I went to the innkeeper and took it upon myself to cancel his rented room while paying for our dinner. I looked back and saw Mr. Ashby watching me with intrigue. Patrice stood next to him, studying his face. She said something to him, and he looked at her for a moment before nodding and leaving the inn.
Patrice joined me. “He went to find a horse,” she informed me.
“I thought as much. I suppose we will have to wait here for his return.”
We sat at a table silently for a moment before Patrice spoke her concerns. “Do ye truly believe we can trust him?”
“I have no doubts,” I told her with full confidence. “Do you not recall his face after I read the letter aloud? He was completely shocked, horrified even. I believe his sincerity in wanting to help us. I think he is just as angry at Graham as I am.” I chuckled lightly. “It’s interesting…” I mused.
“What is?” Patrice prodded when I paused.
I glanced at her. “I feel like I’ve known Mr. Ashby for much longer than a few hours.”
“Ye met him in London three years ago,” Patrice said, yawning.
The memory of meeting Mr. Ashby at Almack’s back then had left an impression, but my entire being had been so focused on my reunion with Graham, I’d hardly ever thought of it.
