Well, of course it wouldn’t be—she still didn’t know the first thing about her husband or his acquaintances. Chiding herself, she hurried to the study with Caithren following behind.
“It’s probably nothing,” Cait said as they dropped onto two chairs. “Open it.”
“It isn’t addressed to me.”
“You said yourself he won’t be home for a month. It could be important business.”
“I suppose you’re right.” Feeling more than a little uneasy, Kendra slid a fingernail beneath the black seal. “How odd,” she said quietly.
“Aye?”
“It’s addressed ‘Dear Patrick Iain,’ rather than by his title.” She read further and released a little gasp.
“What does it say?”
“Listen.” She drew a deep breath. “‘I don’t know if you’ll remember me, since eighteen years have passed since I’ve set eyes on your face. But as a dear old friend of your mother’s, I feel honor bound to warn you of possible danger. When Elspeth—’” Kendra paused. “That’s Trick’s mother,” she clarified.
“Go on.”
“‘When Elspeth wrote the letter to summon you home, she was in perfect health. In the two days since, she has begun a rapid decline that I find inexplicable and alarming. I beg you, take heed. Yours in friendship, Hamish Munroe.’” She looked up. “What could he mean? Why would she write a letter saying she was dying, if she was in perfect health?”
“Maybe she wanted to reconcile, but didn’t believe he’d come home for that alone.”
“Possibly,” Kendra conceded. But her heart was pounding unevenly. “Yet this Mr. Munroe clearly believes that something is afoot. Trick could be in danger.”
“I imagine he can defend himself, seeing as he used to be a highwayman.”
Although she was tempted to tell Cait that Trick still was a highwayman—and share her concerns about that—Kendra knew he wouldn’t want it discussed. Surprised to find herself bound to him by some form of loyalty, she suppressed the urge to unburden herself.
“I think I should go to him,” she said.
“Pardon?”
“I think I should go to Trick. He needs to see this letter.”
“I don’t think Jason—”
“A pox on Jason! He lost his right to tell me what to do when he married me off to Trick. Now I’m duty bound to warn my husband of possible danger.”
And she could also give Trick that second chance. In truth, she burned for it, now that she knew it wouldn’t hurt.
She rose and began to pace. “I must leave immediately.” Her mind raced with possible plans.
“Is tomorrow soon enough?” Cait asked.
“Probably. He didn’t seem in much of a hurry, so if I rush—” She turned and looked at Cait. “What are you thinking?”
“We’re leaving for Scotland tomorrow. Jason and I. Maybe you can come along. But you’ll have to talk to your brother,” she added with a small smile. “You’ll have to break this vow of silence.”
“I suppose I will,” Kendra said grimly. “And Mrs. Chauncey’s supper will have to wait.”
Twenty-Nine
“HOW DARE YOUmarry me off to a duke!”
Seated at the desk in his study at Cainewood, Jason steepled his fingers atop a leather-bound ledger. “Ah, the return of the formidable Kendra. Leaving your husband already?”
“No, he left me.”
