Page 113 of The Scot’s Secret

Robert moved toward his mount. Without asking any further questions, he displayed the legendary reiver loyalty to family and clan, and said, “Then we’ll help you find them.”

Geoffrey didn’t seem surprised, and Alex was just glad to keep moving.

“Where are we going?” Aaron asked.

“To Keston House,” Alex answered.

“Who are we looking for?” Robert stroked his mount’s mane with care, another indication that, reiver or not, he was the kind of man Alex would be glad to travel alongside.

“A lad,” Geoffrey answered. “A squire by the name of—”

“Alfred?”

They all stopped to look at Robert.

Alex understood immediately. “Were you taken unaware by a lad named Alfred?”

“You should have seen it,” Aaron boasted. “He was as small as his sword, but the lad held it so quickly to Robert’s back I thought I may have one less brother this eve.”

“And you’re sure his name was Alfred?” Alex held his breath, waiting.

“Aye, that’s what they called him. He travels with a merchant and another young boy.”

“When?” he and Geoffrey asked at the same time.

“A few hours past,” Aaron answered.

“Did they say where they were going?” Alex asked eagerly. Though he swelled with pride, the vision of Clara arming herself against these men terrified him.

Aaron shook his head. “On this road? ’Twould seem the same place you are. Not much besides Keston House between here and—”

“He is okay then?” Alex interrupted.

“You should be asking my brother that. I didn’t get a good look at him.”

“Aaron?” Geoffrey prodded.

“Aye, better than that. He is a feisty lad. It was only when we mentioned we were headed to Kenshire that he took his sword from Robert’s back.”

“Please tell me you didn’t rob them?”

“Rob?” Aaron apparently was appalled at such an idea. “Tax them, more like. This is our territory.”

“Aaron!”

“Nay, Geoffrey, we did not take anything from them. Certainly not after the boy pulled his sword.”

The relief that coursed through Alex’s body almost felled him. He was in love with Clara. The thought of seeing her, of holding her in his arms. . .

To hell with the danger. They knew now his guess was accurate. Clara was headed to Keston House. He sped up and led the group, not caring if the other men followed.

He would get there by daybreak, and when he found her, he’d never let her go.

* * *

“Alfred?”

Clara leapt off the cart and ran to the woman who had kept her safe after Gilbert’s death.