He grunted. He was no longer sure about wise or unwise but had concluded that if he did not distract her, his wayward wife might well take it into her head to spoil Father’s meeting.
So out they were on the roads, though even Chieftain seemed reluctant. Annista sat behind him on the big horse’s back, her arms wrapped around his waist so tightly he could feel the whole of her pressing against him.
Indeed, her grip pulled at his wound, but he found he did not mind. Ever since they’d shared those kisses back in his bed, he could think of little save doing it all again.
Madness. But then, his world seemed entirely beset by madness.
She leaned up to speak in his ear. “D’ye think Bonnie will be all right wi’ us gone?”
The touch of Annista’s breath made Alan shiver. “She is wi’ Morag, is she no’? In the solar. Morag vowed to remain wi’ her all day.”
“Aye. But Bonnie is my responsibility, and I do worry.”
“I suspect Seumas will keep an eye on her.” Alan had not been able to miss how the young footman regarded the equally young maid.
Annista stiffened at his back before relaxing again. “He is a good lad, eh?”
“He is, that.”
“Aye, so. But he will be busy wi’ the earl’s guests.”
“He will.” And should Evan show up at the manor, what could Seumas do to subdue him? The footman might have the brawn, but he lacked the authority to move against his lord.
They rode on through the downpour, Alan’s thoughts continuing to stray where they should not.
Where would Evan be in such weather? Surely he must go to ground somewhere. That conviction had been part of what allowed him to let Annista persuade him out.
Indeed, there were structures set round about the estate, most of which had been searched already. That did not mean Evan would not circle back and take refuge in one of them again.
He might be most anywhere.
That thought both alarmed Alan and gave him an odd surge of satisfaction. Tired of this cat-and-mouse game, he was eager to find his brother.
Accordingly, he directed Chieftain down a path leading through the woodland. Isolated structures lay here—abandoned huts that had belonged to a former forester and charcoal burners. An old hunting lodge, now shut up tight.
As he guided the horse to the latter, he asked himself what he would do if he entered the place and found Evan there, eager for a fight. He was wounded and had his wife to protect.
That last fact would make him ten times stronger.
But when they reached the lodge, beaten by rain, gray and grim, it proved deserted. Not a large place, it had been meant as a stop for men to take a drink before continuing on and had not been used at all in a dog’s age.
Alan settled Chieftain out back in the shelter of a makeshift stable set up for the purpose.
The door of the lodge creaked when he pulled it open, entering ahead of Annista in case Evan did lurk there—likely with a flask. Inside, the air felt colder than outdoors, but at least the stout roof kept the rain off.
Annista peered around him before pushing her way in. “No one here.”
“Nay, but it appears he was.” Alan’s eyes, adjusting to the gloom, saw the signs of it—scuffs through the dust on the floor, a bench pulled near the hearth. Aye, and his nose caught the scent of a recently kindled fire.
“Is it but this one room?”
“And a mud room out back. Stay here.” Alan walked past her swiftly to check out the narrow back room that lay derelict and dim.
“Should we stay?” Annista asked as he returned to the main chamber. “Will your father no’ want ye at the meeting?”
The question stung. Why should he? “I am no’ his heir. The men wi’ whom Father meets will want Evan there, aye—the future earl.”
She wrapped her arms around herself and took a step toward him. “No one kens what Evan is.”
