Page 83 of The Scot’s Secret

The English lord was young, perhaps the same age as Geoffrey. No one had mentioned his visit. Had he been expected?

“Lord Easton was travelling up the coast and had not planned on stopping here.”

“I’ve recently returned from the crusade,” the man explained. “I bring news for you. While passing through Elkview, I heard of your inquiries.”

Alex sat up in his chair. Finally, he knew what this was about.

“I know your mother,” the man continued.

His chest felt as if Lord Easton had taken a war hammer and slammed him with it. His mother. He didn’t even like hearing the title on another's lips. She wasn’t his mother. She was merely the woman who had given birth to him.

“Where is she?”

Somehow, he still wanted to know. Alex must enjoy being punished.

“You were in her hall.”

“In her—”

“Elkview Castle. ’Twas hers after the death of her husband. The new lord, his son, has yet to take up residence there. But I made the connection as soon as I heard of your visit.”

“How?”

Geoffrey and Peter remained silent.

“I was acquainted with her husband.”

Her husband. So his mother had re-married an English lord. Did she have any children by him? That would mean—

“I didn’t speak to her, but I owe a debt to Lady Sara and hope the information is valuable to you.”

Alex looked to each man in the room, who were all looking at him. Were they waiting for him to react?

“She was there yesterday?” Had she avoided him on purpose?

“I don’t know.”

The lord sat back and crossed his arms.

He wanted to ask more questions, but Lord Easton appeared to have said his piece. Which was just as well. He’d get the answers himself.

“Thank you for bringing me this information,” Alex said.

“You’ll stay the night, of course,” Geoffrey asked.

Lord Easton stood and the others followed. “I would like to speak to your wife briefly, but then I must be on my way.”

Good.

He had worried about how Clara would react to the stranger. Would she retreat to being Alfred if this man stayed?

They followed Peter out and toward the great hall. Alex cursed when he heard the whispers coming toward them. He knew one of those voices all too well.

Emma and Clara were walking so fast that they passed them without even noticing the man’s presence. Lord Easton had evidently seen them pass by, however, for his gaze followed them down the now-empty corridor.

Alex’s fists balled at his sides.

“Come, I will bring you to Lady Sara,” Peter said, guiding Lord Easton away.