Page 69 of Bond of a Bewitched Highlander

The maid eyed her, obviously noticing her disturbed expression. Had she overheard her and Brodie arguing earlier, the shouts, the slamming doors? How could she have missed it?

"Her ladyship is having her hair styled. I'll ask her if she can see you." The maid strode away, and Elsea followed.

Once inside the elegant bedchamber filled with floral print fabrics, Elsea curtsied. The lovely scents of lavender and roses relaxed her muscles. "Good morn, m'lady. I'm sorry to bother you so early."

Agatha sat in a chair while her lady's maid unrolled her dark curls from strips of linen. "Lady Elsea, my dear, I'm so glad you're up and about. How do you feel?"

"Better. My memory has returned."

"Thanks be to God."

"I have a favor to ask. Could I borrow a horse for a short ride out on the moor?" She hated lying to the kind lady who had almost become her mother-in-law, but she had to escape this place.

"Heavens! 'Tis too soon after your head injury and unsafe besides."

"At home, I ride all the time. And I can defend myself. My brothers trained me in Highland knife fighting and swordplay."

Agatha's eyes widened. "Indeed? I had no idea."

"Aye. I'll need to borrow a dirk or sword. I lost mine."

"Well, you'll have to ask Brodie. He keeps the weapons locked up, and he's over the stables."

Nails biting into her palms, Elsea nodded. Blast it. The lady was of no help. "I thank you." She curtsied and quit the room.

She did not want to ask Brodie for anything. He need not know what she was doing. Since she remembered her intent, she was going back to it. She had to find the rest of the selkies and rescue them. How? She would go to the beast himself, Talnaroch.

How she wished she had her own mare and all her weapons. She hurried out to the stables, hoping she could talk one of the lads into saddling a horse for her.

"Lady MacCain said I might borrow a horse for a ride on the moor," she told the stable lad. Aye, 'twas a lie, but it couldn't be helped.

"M'lady." He bowed. "Which one?"

"A gentle but fleet-footed one."

"Aye, well." He scratched his head.

The stablemaster approached and bowed. "M'lady."

"She said her ladyship gave her leave to borrow a horse."

"Well... we must ask his lairdship. Ah, there he is now." He glanced at the keep's exit steps.

When Brodie's eyes locked on hers, he stormed in her direction, expression darkening once again.

"Blast," she gritted.

"M'laird." The two servants bowed when he drew close.

"What is going on here?" Brodie glared at her.

"I'm borrowing a horse for a ride on the moor," she said in a faux sweet tone. "I ride every day at home. But I haven't ridden for a while now. I need the exercise."

"If you would excuse us." Brodie clasped her upper arm in a firm grip and steered her away from the stablemaster and the lad. "I see what you're doing. I'm nay allowing you to leave, as I've already said."

"You cannot keep me imprisoned here."

He snorted. "Imprisoned, aye? How are you going to show me where the castle is if you leave? I thought you wished to help the females."