Page 113 of Dark Rival

“Well,” Allie said, smiling, aware of her heart rate accelerating, “I won’t be the one to object.”

Royce gave her a dark look. They’d reached the bottom of the stairs and Allie dragged her gaze upward. Sam would go nuts for this one. She whispered, “Is he single?”

Royce looked at her blankly, clearly not understanding. Then, as clearly, he lurked. He flushed. “He’s nay wed an’ he’ll never be wed. He’s the worst rake—as bad as Aidan.”

“I bet he’d love my friend Sam,” Allie said.

“Ye forget why we be here,” Royce said furiously.

“Not really. Can you put me down?”

When he did, clearly intent on keeping an eye on her, Allie preceded him up the stairs. “But good humor usually helps. Or would it be better if I moped around all day and wept all night, worrying about my mother?”

Royce was silent.

Blackwood greeted her with a smile, glancing lazily at her from head to toe. “Good morning, Lady Allie. T’is my pleasure to have you at Blackwood Hall.”

She met his blue gaze and found it hard to look away, acutely aware that he wished to charm her. “Thanks. We’re imposing, and I am sorry for that, but we really need your help.”

His gaze flickered, and he nodded for them to go inside. His hall was sparsely furnished, very much like the great room at Dunroch. In spite of that, the long table was beautifully carved and gleaming with wax, and the chairs in front of the hearth were upholstered in a rich wine-hued wool fabric. Aidan was standing by the fireplace, and he smiled at them. He did not seem any worse for wear.

Allie couldn’t help it. “That was fast,” she teased.

He gave her a very male look. “I have leapt into the past.”

She got it. If he had come from the future, he’d spent some time with Joan. She was dying to know some details, but didn’t dare ask if Joan might be a new, nicer person now.

He grinned. “She’s in very high spirits,” he said, laughing.

Allie went across the room and hugged him. “I felt awful yesterday. I didn’t think it right for Royce to ask you to divert Joan.”

“Ah, lass, she’s my liege. If she needs my services, I’m more than eager to oblige,” he said, amused. Then, with a glance at Royce he said, “O’ course, that might change, if I’m ever so fortunate as to have a maid like ye to love me.”

Allie met his gaze, wishing she could lurk. To her surprise, graphic images formed, and she saw Aidan with the Queen and two other women! Instantly she realized he’d sent her the little mental note. “Really?” She felt herself blush.

He just laughed at her. “Yer terribly curious about my privy affairs.”

She patted his arm. “Thank you for getting Royce out of hot water.”

He grinned at her. “Well, if ye touch me again, I mayna live much longer.” He gestured toward Royce.

She didn’t bother to look back, as she knew her lover well now and he’d recover from a brief bout with jealousy. “I can manage him. Don’t worry about it. Will you help us find Elasaid?”

“Aye.” Aidan’s smile faded. “If she’s alive.”

Royce and Blackwood joined them. “Lady, I have had spies at the cathedral, in the village and town, and at Moffat’s Hall for many years,” Blackwood said, all business now. “Last night, Royce told me you would come and why. I have summoned my spies and most should return to Blackwood by this evening. We will have some word then.”

Allie felt like pulling out her hair. “That’s an entire day away!”

“Ailios, the spies place their lives in danger every day they betray Moffat. T’is no simple task for each man to simply pick up an’ walk out of his place,” Royce said.

Blackwood smiled slightly at her. “But know this. Until last night, there has been no word, nor even any rumor, of a woman prisoner or guest. If the bishop has Elasaid, I am certain she’s not in his hall or the Cathedral.”

Allie hugged herself. “You said you have spies in villages and the town.”

Blackwood nodded. “His lands are vast. She could be hidden in one of the villages easily enough. The town of Moffat is large. She could be hidden in a cellar there.”

Allie looked at Aidan, and then at Royce. No one was jumping up and down with optimism or excitement. “Why don’t we just say it? We’re searching for her here, now, but she could be in any time and any place.”