Page 64 of The Scot’s Secret

Emma rubbed her hands together.

“Can you blame me if I missed my sister-in-law? Now that I am unable to travel—”

“Poor Sara is bound to the most lovely castle in all of Northumbria with a most attentive husband. I do feel so badly for you.”

The banter between the two ladies reminded Clara of sisters. If she ever had a sister-in law. . . she stopped herself. Such thoughts were useless. She would never be aught but alone.

“Just remember, it’s Susanna, not Clara.”

“And if Alex found his mother? You’re sure they will return on the morrow?” Clara asked.

“Geoffrey said…” Sara paused and tilted her head to the side. “I suppose you’re right. I believe he assumed their search would not be fruitful. I should speak to Cook to make her aware of the possibility they’ll be late.” She stood, and Clara and Emma followed suit.

“She will not be pleased,” Sara muttered.

Emma turned back to grimace at Clara. Her face scrunched up in a way that forced a laugh from her, even though her thoughts had drifted to Alex. She wondered if he was okay. Had he found his mother? What would she say to him? Would anything make it better?

Emma turned toward the castle and rushed to follow Sara. Clara scurried to catch up with them both, her mood not quite as light as theirs. Though it felt wonderful not to don that hideous disguise, as Sara had called it, her concern for Alex and apprehension about the growing number of people who knew of her ruse overshadowed the excitement she’d initially felt.

She would try to dismiss the sense of apprehension that was settling over her. But as she watched Kenshire loom larger and larger the closer they came to the castle, Clara felt more and more trapped and more than a bit concerned for what the days ahead would bring.

* * *

Alex handed his reins to the groom and followed Geoffrey from the stable into Kenshire’s bustling courtyard. The hour grew late and the castle inhabitants were likely preparing for the evening meal. Servants chased wayward children as knights entered the armory after a day of training. Tomorrow, he would join them. Now, more than ever, he needed a good fight.

“We’ll find her,” Geoffrey said beside him.

His unlikely ally slapped him on the back. “If she’s anywhere near Elkview, word will reach us,” he said as they made their way toward the entrance of the main keep.

After arriving at the village of Elkview, the two men had spoken to as many people as they could. Geoffrey had even gained entrance to the castle. The lord had recently passed away, and though its lady had been unavailable, the marshal who’d greeted them in her stead had assured them every effort would be made to assist in their search.

Oddly, they had not been invited to stay the evening, which was just as well. They’d already agreed to stay at a nearby inn so they could learn more and speak to a different sort of crowd. Unfortunately, however, they had come away with little information. Rising early, they’d ridden hard all day to get back to Kenshire. Alex was anxious to make use of the castle’s proximity to the sea to wash off the dirt accumulated on his travels.

The only thing he looked forward to more was assuring himself that Clara was well.

“My lords,” the grey-bearded steward rushed toward them. “My lady has been eagerly awaiting your return.”

For the briefest of moments, Alex thought he meant Clara. But of course, that was not possible. To the rest of the world she was Alfred, not a lady.

Geoffrey stopped abruptly.

“What,” he said to Peter, “is she planning?”

Alex wasn’t sure what was happening, but those simple words elicited a guilty, wide-eyed look from the stern but affable steward.

“I am not sure what you—”

“Peter?”

A rooster chose that moment to escape from its master. All three men turned to the errant creature. By the time Alex looked back up, Peter was walking briskly away from them.

“Any guesses,” Alex asked as they made their way through the courtyard.

“None,” Geoffrey responded. “But I suspect we’ll soon find out what is afoot.”

When they finally entered the keep, Alex’s laughter turned more than a few servants’ heads.

“A banquet!” He couldn’t help teasing the man who had, however unlikely, become something of a friend. “And you’ve only been gone for one night.”