She was expecting someone? “Siân?”
She turned to him, her hesitation and wariness gone. “Mr. Payne, I promise I’ll explain, but the horses do need care.”
He couldn’t ignore them much longer. One didn’t have a saddle on its back, but the other carried all their supplies. Still…
“Is something amiss? Is it that we departed too soon? You left a letter for your sister regarding this trip. We could have stayed a few days…or traveled to where they were to tell them in person what we intended.”
“The letter will suffice with my sisters on why I’ve left with you, and they’ve known Charles just as long as I have so they’ll understand.” Her gaze steadied upon the dark corner. “It was better we left as we did, truthfully.”
Why, he wanted to ask, but she did not face him, and he felt as if that conversation needed more attention than what she was giving.
“Is it Charles, then?” he asked. “He was recovering and in good spirits when I left him. I doubt with the care he’s getting he’ll have worsened in any manner.”
She glanced at him. “Charles? No, I’m certain he is well as you said.”
“Then it’s Mary.”
She turned a bit more to him after that, and he wished the fire could glow brighter so he could see it more clearly.
“Why ask of her?” she said.
Because those two women had clasped hands and cried when they left. “I noticed you were friends, since you whispered fervently together.”
“We whispered fervently?”
He nodded solemnly. “Yesterday, as you observed my perfect execution of bringing the sheep in from pasture.”
A curve to her lips and light to her eyes. “You were bringing them in too early! And I needed to tell Mary about this…unfortunate act. Since I thought you a fine farmer before.”
“So I am fine, then.”
Her eyes widened.
Was she surprised because of his bold statement? He was. Mostly because he usually stood gaping at beautiful women instead of engaging with them.
She gave him a pointed look. “I said you were a fine farmer, but you dispelled that quickly enough.”
Did she jest with him in return? It was invigorating, and he wanted to do more of the same. More because she didn’t know how dear to his heart working the land was, and the fact she regarded his skill as something of note was significant to him. After all, this woman was singular for him as well.
But it wasn’t his place! And though she was friendly with him and it meant something to him to be appreciated, it didn’t necessarily mean anything to her. She’d rushed away from her home to be by Charles’ side!
A flutter of something like linens just to the left. He turned, but there was nothing except the stone walls, and a broken chair underneath.
“Did you see something again?” she said.
“Nothing there. I must be more tired than I thought.”
“It might not be tiredness,” she said. “It could very well be something else.”
He didn’t feel a breath of wind, and the room was quite protected from the elements. There wasn’t any tapestry or fabric that would have fluttered like he thought he saw. What was her true worry?
“I know this is forward, but I’m not comprehending, or you’re keeping something from me, and on purpose. I don’t know you well, but we spent a day together in the thick of domestic duties. I thought we had some rapport that would allow you to tell me—”
“Mr. Payne!” Siân whirled around to face him. “This keep is a ruin, and an absolute wreck except for this area. Look under our feet—there’s a rug!”
“That’s because of the roof.”
“Which remains intact despite that it was built closer to the beginning of time than present day.”
