Page 170 of Courting the Wrong Duke

“Alone?”

Isabella gave her a pointed look.

Rosalind’s first instinct was to object, but it was the same instinct that had risen when Isabella announced she was coming to Wales.

She sighed. “Where?”

“Somewhere near the back entrance. I’ll find a hedge or a bush or whatever else this miserable place has provided for concealment.”

“And if you see someone?” William asked.

“I shall make the call of a bird.”

Gabriel stared at her. “What sort of bird?”

Isabella hesitated long enough that Rosalind almost laughed.

“A distinctive one,” she decided.

“That inspires tremendous confidence.”

“I could scream instead.”

“The bird is excellent.”

William’s mouth twitched, but when he looked at Rosalind, the fleeting amusement disappeared.

Rosalind looked once more toward Bryn Hir. “You and I go inside.”

William did not ask whether she was certain or suggest that she remain safely behind while he searched for her father. He simply accepted her answer.

For that alone, she was grateful.

They descended the hill at a walk.

With every yard, Bryn Hir grew larger, its details emerging from the gathering darkness. The stone was stained by years of damp, and ivy climbed unchecked along one side. No smoke rose from the chimneys, and no lamps burned behind the windows.

Rosalind searched each dark pane anyway, desperate for some sign of movement.

There was none.

By the time they reached the grounds, evening had nearly surrendered to night. They concealed the horses among the trees, and Gabriel moved toward the front of the house while Isabella prepared to circle around the opposite side.

Before leaving, Isabella caught Rosalind’s hand. Neither of them spoke as Rosalind squeezed her fingers once. Isabella returned the pressure before releasing her and disappearing around the house.

William remained beside Rosalind.

“Ready?”

No.

But she had not spent weeks searching for her father only to lose her courage when she was finally close enough to find him.

“Yes.”

William studied her face for a moment. Whatever he saw there must have told him the truth, but he did not challenge the lie.

They approached the house together.