Page 122 of The Laird's Masked Passion

CHAPTER THIRTY

Elspeth had gone riding alone.

Colin heard the words in the courtyard and very nearly forgot that murder required a particular victim.

“She didwhat?”

The stable lad paled. “Me lady took the grey mare, me laird. She said she wouldnae be long.”

“When?” he snarled.

“Near an hour ago.”

An hour.

Robert Munro had sent men into a cathedral and through a hidden northern passage. He had threatened Elspeth by name. Yet she had ridden beyond the castle walls alone, as though danger possessed the manners to wait until she was properly guarded.

Colin mounted before the boy finished apologizing, and not even fifteen minutes later, he found her beside the loch. Her marewas grazing among the heather while Elspeth sat upon a flat stone near the water, staring at the folded letter in her hands. The wind moved through her loosened hair. She appeared small against the dark hills and silver water.

Relief struck first. Fury followed closely enough to conceal it.

“Have ye lost what little sense ye possessed?” he demanded.

Elspeth turned. Her face was pale, but her eyes sharpened immediately.

“If ye have come in a foul temper, go somewhere else. I am in nay mood tae improve it.”

Colin dismounted. “Ye left the castle alone, Elspeth.”

“Aye. That is generally what ridingalonerequires.”

He frowned. “Robert’s men are moving through these lands.”

“And shouting at me will doubtless frighten them away.”

He opened his mouth, prepared to explain danger in terms even her stubbornness might understand, but then he saw that her hands were trembling and that she held something. Immediately, his anger changed shape.

“What happened?”

“Naething.”

“Elspeth.”

She looked back at the water. The sharpness had gone from her face, leaving something wounded beneath it. Colin approached more slowly.

“What is that?”

For a moment, he thought she might refuse. Then she held out the letter. He recognized the Fraser seal the moment he took it. Colin read in silence.

Ye have at last proved useful tae this family.

His jaw hardened.

Even in performing the single duty required of ye, ye have managed tae bring further disorder upon us.

By the time he reached the account of Lady Morven’s injury, the parchment had begun to crease beneath his fingers. He read the final accusation twice.

Ye would be wise tae attend tae yer husband’s household without drawing further misfortune toward ours.