Page 26 of An Enchanting Dare

Sylvester frowned, irritated by her question. “Ten minutes, perhaps.”

“So, you were barely twenty minutes from the castle, your horse throws a shoe, and two hours later you turn up here?”

She was glaring at him and Sylvester did not know why.

“I got lost,” he said again, annoyed now. Must she rub it in? “I’ll admit I don’t know how when I was so close, but… but I took a wrong turn and lost my sense of direction. Why are you so annoyed? It’s not like I did it on purpose.”

Aisling opened her mouth, but did not get the chance to reply.

“Of course you didn’t. Now you eat up and you’ll feel much better,” Biddy said, her voice soothing as she set a plate of food on the table.

She ushered him back to his place and made him sit down again. There was bread and cheese and an apple cut into quarters, and she set a jug of ale at his elbow too before giving him a pat on the shoulder. The gesture was strangely reassuring, and he allowed his anger to dissipate. Ignoring Aisling and her obvious displeasure, he turned his attention to his plate, only now realising how hungry he’d been. He could hear the two women talking, an indistinct murmur, but he could make out the bewildered note to Aisling’s voice and her old nursemaid’s soothing responses.

Sylvester cleared his plate, drank the ale, and got to his feet. The women turned to look at him as he rose, Biddy’s expression pleased for no reason he could fathom. Aisling’s was unreadable, but she stood with her arms crossed, everything about her posture distrustful. Well, fine. If that was how she felt about him, she’d not have to suffer his company a moment longer.

“Thank you, madam, for your hospitality. I’m sorry to have troubled you. If you’ll excuse me, I’d best be going. Good afternoon to you.” He inclined his head to Aisling. “My lady,” he said politely, and turned to leave.

“Wait,” Aisling said.

He turned back to see her twisting her hands anxiously, her dark eyebrows drawn together in a frown.

“I… I’d best go with you, or you’ll end up in Aberdeen.”

“I am quite capable—” he began, only to see Biddy raise her eyebrows, giving him a what the devil are you playing at expression that made him swallow his words. What was he playing at? He’d wanted to get Aisling alone, hadn’t he? It didn’t matter that she didn’t want his company. It wasn’t for his sake, or anything to do with what he wanted. He’d made a promise to the countess to help, and he always kept his promises. He took a breath. “Thank you, my lady,” he said, and though his pride stung, it didn’t matter once they were walking back along the sun-dappled track with Aisling upon his arm. The horse ambled on his other side and the only sound was birdsong and the soft thud of hooves on the dirt path.

He stole a glance at Aisling. She hadn’t bothered putting her bonnet back on, a scandalous oversight he was more than pleased by, for he could see her beautiful profile unhindered.

“Why were you so horrified to see me?” he asked, unable to put the question off a moment longer.

She gave him a scathing glance that might have provoked him if he wasn’t so desperate to know the answer.

“Why?” he persisted.

A scowl tugged her eyebrows together, and he swore he would do anything to stop that being such a well-used expression. Aisling ought never be so worried and anxious and cross. She should have more reason to smile than to frown. He wanted very much to give her that.

“Aisling, please,” he said, frustrated. “Won’t you give me something? I only want to help you. I know… I know there can be nothing between us. You needn’t worry that I’m going to try to seduce you or… or court you. I know I’ve not the least right to do so, even if I wanted to.”

There was too much regret in those last words, but it was too late to take them back.

She was watching him now, those dark eyes so unfathomable.

“I don’t want to trust you,” she said, with such obvious honesty that his heart ached. Who had hurt her so badly to give her such a terror of putting her trust in anyone, or any man, at least?

“I know,” he said, keeping his voice gentle. “But I wouldn’t ever betray your trust.”

Aisling stared at him for a long moment before looking away. “I’ve heard that before.”

Sylvester nodded, unsurprised. “Your mother asked me to find out what is troubling you,” he said, knowing it was a risk. “Your parents are worried about you. They know something is wrong.”

She stopped in her tracks. “Mama… Mama asked you?” she said, staring at him in disbelief.

Sylvester nodded. “You cannot be any more shocked than I am, but she said she trusted me.”

Aisling gasped and dropped his arm, taking a step back.

Sylvester quickly tethered the horse. They were on the edge of the woodland now, fields opening up before them, and the enormous castle dominated the landscape. How could he have been so damned close to it and not have known?

“Let me help you,” he said, holding out his hands to her. “Talk to me.”