"I fear my arm is broken, m'lady." Grimacing, Jenkins cradled his left arm.
"Oh, good heavens." She rushed toward him. "Are you in great pain?"
"Aye, it hurts."
Frowning, she turned to her driver. "Vance, I didn't mean for you to drive so recklessly."
"'Twas nay that, m'lady." The graying man shook his head. "The horses refused to slow their pace. Something must've spooked 'em."
She glanced around. "What would've done that?"
Cyrus scrutinized the tree line a few hundred yards away. "We did see a lone wolf in the distance while out hunting. The horses might have scented it."
Elspeth's eyes widened. "I had no inkling wolves dwelt in this area."
"Without doubt 'tis gone now," he reassured her, disliking her fearful expression.
"We'll have the healer back at the castle set your guard's arm." Rebbie motioned to two of his men. "George, Hogarth, help Jenkins back to the castle, then find Mistress MacGowan and have her see to his broken bone."
"Aye, m'laird." They helped the grimacing Jenkins mount one of their horses.
Vance rounded the front of the overturned coach. "M'lady, one of the wheels is shattered and another is cracked. We must take the coach back to the castle and repair it. There could be other damage as well on the left side."
"Oh, good lord." Elspeth frowned and pressed her fingers to her temples.
"Why were you in such an all-fired hurry?" Cyrus studied her anxious expression.
"I must go home forthwith. There was a break-in and one of my guards was injured."
Cyrus's shoulders tightened with concern for her safety. "Why didn't you say so earlier? How far away do you live?"
Eyeing him with caution, she pressed her lips together.
Why was she being so stubborn and secretive? Unwilling to relent, Cyrus crossed his arms over his chest and stared at her. 'Twas a look that he knew frightened most men, but she didn't seem daunted in the least.
Finally, she yielded. "Close to Aberdeen."
Cyrus glanced around at the men, knowing he had only one option. "I'll take six guards with me and see that she gets home."
"You can borrow my larger coach and four if you wish," Rebbie offered. "'Tis two days by coach. One day if riding."
Elspeth hesitated.
"'Twill be much faster if we ride." Cyrus noted her uneasiness. "That is, if you can ride."
Though 'twas fleeting, panic flickered through her eyes. "Of course, I can."
Rebbie nodded. "We'll get your horses and coach back to the castle."
"I'll go with you, Cyrus." Fraser strode forward.
Cyrus eyed his younger brother but detected no scheming look in his eye… though he knew his brother wanted to seduce Elspeth. "Very well."
Fraser strode away with Rebbie.
Cyrus turned back to Elspeth, observing her worried expression. Being a leader of men during gruesome and bloody battles, he was well accustomed to fear, both his own and his soldiers'. However, the question of courage came into play when a person decided whether they were strong enough to forge ahead and conquer, despite the fear. 'Twas the first time he'd seen trepidation in her eyes.
"Do you fear horses?" he asked her.
