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Grant shrugged into his greatcoat. “When we get back to Lochnagar, you won’t be going anywhere but straight into a hot bath. We still have a long ride back on muddy roads. I will not have you catching a chill, Kathleen.”
She fisted her hands on her hips. “As I told you, I am perfectly fine. And Jeannie is what matters most right now. I think we can both agree on that.”
He shot her a veiled look as he headed for the door. “Please try not to worry. Jeannie’s a smart girl. I have little doubt she’s home by now.”
“Well, Idohave doubts,” she retorted.
“Then the best way to resolve those doubts is to return home as quickly as possible.” His gaze tracked over her, head to toe. “There’s a comb and small mirror in the trunk if you need it. I’ll saddle the horses and then we’ll be off.”
“What about the—” She broke off with a sigh, since he was already out the door. “Drat and double drat.”
Kathleen stalked over to the trunk, cursing Grant Kendrick and her silly lovestruck self.
Chapter Twenty-Two
The lights of Dunlaggan finally winked into view through the murky night. Grant threw a glance over his shoulder at Kathleen, slightly behind him.
“Not much longer now, sweetheart,” he said.
“Thank God. I just pray that someone has found Jeannie, since our efforts were an utter waste of time.”
Grant sighed as he returned his attention to the road. Whatever fire had remained from their romantic interlude had been snuffed out on the muddy trail back from the loch. The difficult footing had forced the horses to pick their way interminably back to the main road.
Increasingly fashed about her sister, Kathleen had wanted to cut over the fields and head straight back to Lochnagar. Grant had vetoed that as too dangerous, since the rough country was cut through with ravines and boggy ground. After yet another sharp debate, he’d pointed out that he knew the countryside better than she did, and that he’d be damned if he let her be injured by taking a risky shortcut.
Since that discussion, Kathleen had barely uttered a word. No doubt she thought him too cautious and too annoying to merit any further consideration. As for their sensual interlude, Grant was at a loss how to think about that. From what he could tell, Kathleen wasn’t thinking about it at all, which was more than a trifle discouraging.
He couldn’t really blame her. After all but ravishing the poor girl, he’d then acted like an unromantic prat. Of course, he’d wanted nothing more than to rip her clothes off, and give in to the desire he’d been fighting for weeks. Not doing so had required an epic feat of self-control. But he’d had no choice, because making love to his sweet lass would have led to an inexorable series of decisions, practically forcing her to marry him regardless of her personal wishes.
As it was, they were already skating on very thin ice, with a full-blown scandal lurking in dark waters below.
His deep concern had led to his odd behavior. When she’d most needed cuddling and reassurance, he’d all but dumped her off his lap and rushed out to saddle the horses, so they could get back to Lochnagar with all speed.
Unfortunately, they’d been alone together for hours now, and it would take a deal of luck to escape their increasingly dodgy situation with Kathleen’s reputation intact.
They approached the first house at the edge of the village, which happened to be the vicarage. Light blazed forth from every window. Grant thought it might be worth making a quick stop, since the vicar would probably know if Jeannie had been found. If so, Kathleen could finally relax.
“Do you want me to see if Brown’s heard anything about Jeannie?” he asked.
Kathleen brought her mare up beside his. “I’d rather ride straight through. I truly don’t think I can face Mr. Brown, especially looking like this.”
“Och, you look fine. No worries there.”
She shot him a disbelieving look. “You are a—”
“Hallo, Mr. Kendrick. Hold up, will you?” called the vicar from his front door.
“That’s just perfect,” said Kathleen in a disgusted voice.
“Sorry, lass. We’ll just have to brazen it out.”
They reined in as the vicar rushed out to the road to meet them. Captain Brown followed him to the gate at a more leisurely pace.
The vicar gaped as he took in Kathleen’s appearance. “Miss Calvert! Are you perfectly all right? Did you take a tumble from your horse?”
“Looks like someone took a tumble,” Captain Brown drawled.
“She’s fine,” Grant sharply said. “We got caught in the storm while we were out searching for Jeannie.”
