Page 77 of Mardon

“Son?” asked Aaron.

“Boys, this is Autumn’s husband, Lord Ravenscar. Have ye forgotten him already? I raised him as a child. He was like a son to me.”

“Of course. Good to see you, Ravenscar,” said Mardon. “How is our brother, Tristan?”

“Why don’t you ask me that yourself?”

They turned to see Tristan walking down the dock, a skein of rope thrown over his shoulder. He looked happy and relaxed.

“Good to see you, Brother.” Mardon clasped arms and slapped him on the back.

“What’s the rope for?” asked Aaron, clasping his arm as well.

“Tristan is the new captain of my fishing ship,” Benedict told them.

Aaron groaned. “You really went back to that after swearing you never would, Tristan?”

“I did. And it feels right,” he told them.

“Good for you,” said Mardon.

“What brings you here?” Benedict asked.

“Mardon is lookin’ for a woman named Lady Emmaline de la Croix.”

“A lady, huh?” Tristan raised a brow. “What’s been going on since I left the Falcon, Brothers?”

“He’s fallen to the same low as you,” Aaron spat.

“Aaron, stop that.” Nairnie hit him on the arm. “Tristan, it is wonderful. Mardon has fallen in love.”

“Really?” Tristan and Benedict exchanged glances. “So . . . where is this Lady Emmaline?”

“We dinna ken,” said Nairnie. “When we were on the island trying to find treasure, Emmaline left the ship.”

“Treasure?” Tristan perked up. “Did you find the treasure that Father buried?” His eyes showed his excitement and Mardon knew how much Tristan must really miss being along on the hunt. He had always loved looking for treasure.

“The bastard gave us more clues,” said Aaron.

“Watch yer mouth, Aaron,” warned Nairnie. “That is my son ye’re talkin’ about and yer faither.”

“Sorry, Grandmother.”

“Do it again, and I’ll beat ye with my ladle when we get back on the ship.”

“Oh, Nairnie, you still have that ladle?” Tristan seemed amused.

“It’s a bigger and better one, Tristan,” she told him. “And it’s gettin’ lots of use.”

“Benedict,” came a female voice.

Mardon turned to see Autumn and Gavina getting down off a horse and cart. They headed over to join them. They all greeted each other and, after a minute, Mardon tried to excuse himself.

“I’m sorry, but I need to go. I’m not even sure where to find Emmaline’s father’s manor house, but I’m hoping that is where she is.”

“Emmaline?” asked Autumn.

“Aye, her name is Lady Emmaline de la Croix. She’s a widow of a Frenchman,” explained Nairnie.