“It seems to me like ye are dallying.”
Damn it. The lass was insulting. Along with being insufferable. And he couldn’t forget incorrigible. How the hell did her brothers deal with her? It made sense to him now why they sent her away for almost a month. They were probably enjoying the peace and quiet.
“Be silent,” he commanded in a loud whisper.
That stopped her laughter. She narrowed her blue eyes at him,crossed her arms, shot out a hip, and pursed her lips. Her annoyance was palpable.
Good.
Now, they were even.
“Stay here. I mean it this time. Believe it or no’ ’tis for yer own safety.”
Errol didn’t give her time to answer, and he continued on the path. It was soon clear that it was just the three of them here. Brush and needles piled high, littering the path, along with dead leaves from several years past. This area of land hadn’t been stepped upon in years. Still, the two women were in his care, and he would perform his due diligence to ensure their safety.
The path led through another archway of trees and then opened up to a long-abandoned castle. Errol looked at it with awe. He had no idea of its existence.
“Wow,” Moira sputtered behind him.
Rolling his eyes, he huffed out a breath and pinched the bridge of his nose. It was impossible for her to listen to directions. Clearly, her will was too strong and she was going to do as she pleased, no matter what he said.
“’Tis impressive, I must agree.”
Together they walked toward the front of the old structure. The stone walls were crumbling. The rock worn smooth from the rain and wind.
“Take care, it could be dangerous,” he warned.
“What’s it called?” She asked.
He shrugged. “I dinnae ken. ’Tis obvious it hasnae been inhabited for years.”
Moira paused. Her eyes scanned the landscape. “If I was a clue to treasure, I wonder where I would hide?” She tapped her finger on her chin. “How should we proceed? Split up? With the three of us it will go quickly.”
“I think we should stay together.” He gave her a stern look and crossed his arms, shutting down any chance for debate.”
“Ye are the one who said that ye wanted to ensure we were able to sleep at an inn this night. Why wouldnae ye want us to each take a section to search?”
He pierced her with an irritated look and then moved his gaze to Seema who stayed behind Moira. He was certain that the maid was holding back a laugh.
Errol did not find any amusement in the situation.
“The longer ye stand here fighting me on this,” Errol ground out, “the more chance that ye’ll be spending yer night on the ground instead of a bed.”
Moira harrumphed. “Fine. Let’s all stay together,” she called out loudly as if she had an audience outside of the three of them.
She trudged along beside him, mumbling under her breath, as they approached the rotting wooden door. She paused, holding up her hand.
“Afore we go inside, we should assess the outside. See what structures still stand.”
Errol grunted, not because he disagreed, but because he didn’t want Moira to ken that he agreed with her.
“Let us go right first,” Moira ordered and headed to the right.
Around the corner was what Errol assumed was once a flourishing garden. Now it was overgrown with weeds standing as tall as him. In the far corner was a small hut, the thatched roof had given way long ago and had collapsed inside.
Moira quickened her pace as she walked excitedly to the shack.
Of course, she did.
