“You sound like my parents.” Reid sighed and took another swallow of his ale. “And let me point out that you could be accused of the same thing. I distinctly heard the wordsmarriageandEmmelinein the same sentence coming from your mouth. And you only met heryesterday.”
“We were both smote, weren’t we?”
“Smote?”
“Past tense of smite, I think. Whatever we are, we seem to be set on the same goals with our ladies.” Brent grinned.
“We’re probably raving idiots,” remarked Reid. “But here we are. Determined suitors who have finally found our mates and where are they?”
“Not a clue.”
“Me neither. And I don’t like it, to be honest. Pru left the hideout early this morning as near as I can tell. She didn’t take the horse, so she must have walked. But I took that path here and there was no sign of her, her footprints or anything. It’s as if she vanished.” Reid couldn’t wash away that nagging worry, even with his own ale. “Tell me about your cousin, Brent. She’s told me a lot but I think there are things she’s holding back.”
Brent stared at the fire. “Not a lot to tell. We’ve known each other since we were both very young. The woman who raised her was my very close to my mother. So the ‘cousin’ title is false, but worked for us. My mother seemed happy to lend our name and support to the little girl. She was living with her aunt when we first met, and I know her mother had passed away. Apparently her father sent her there, but it never occurred to me to question any of the arrangements. Children don’t give a damn about such things. To this day, I have no idea who either of her parents were.”
“That’s pretty much what she told me.”
“She didn’t want to marry Eldridge. I do know that. But her aunt was failing and it was a good offer overall, even though not to her liking. There were quite a few times when she could barely hold back the tears. It was a small wedding, and I know she trembled through most of it. I was there.” Brent frowned. “But she came through it in style and we lost touch for a while.”
Reid took a breath. “It must have been hard for her.”
“I’m sure it was. But when she returned, a widow, she was different.”
“Different how?”
“More reserved, I think. Definitely more mature. She was in control and planned on staying that way. The girl I used to know had grown into a woman I didn’t really know at all. I still don’t, to this day. But we’re as close as ever. It’s a good solid friendship, Reid. So if you are serious about her, I’ll tell you to your face that if you hurt her, I’ll kick your arse from here to John O’Groats.”
“Agreed. And yes, I’m serious about her.” A thought occurred to him. “You were the one who told her about the hideout, weren’t you?”
Brent chuckled. “Yes, I was. I knew it would appeal to her sense of adventure and she was quite safe there. It amazed me how well it has stood the test of time.”
“And did you tell her about me, by any chance?”
His friend looked self-consciously around the room, trying to avoid Reid’s gaze. “Er…I might have mentioned you now and again. Just in the way of regular conversation…”
“Hmm.” Reid narrowed his eyes. “She seemed to be expecting me, or know I was around. Or something. It was odd then, but now I know—it makes sense.”
Brent grinned. “I’ll accept that as your thanks for uniting you with the love of your life.”
“Yes, well, thank you, I suppose.” Reid blinked at his tankard. “So, to turn the tables here, when did your sudden passion for Emmeline explode?”
“All she did was smile at me. That’s it.”
“I beg your pardon?”
“A smile, Reid. A smile that knocked me down, laid me out flat and then flew me up to heaven.”
“Good lord.”
“I never imagined anything like that could happen. But her eyes…so expressive, and the way she smiled at me—I was lost, my friend. And I’m not ashamed to admit it.”
“Er…good for you.”
“I took her and Lady Southwick home, and they invited me in for tea. So of course I went and managed to spend some time talking to Emmeline. A couple of hours, actually, which was a delightful surprise.”
Reid cleared his throat. “Well, my friend, I do need to be blunt here, I suppose, because Iamyour friend. There is a pretty strong rumor that Lady Southwick is on the hunt for a title for her daughter…”
“Well, she’s found one. Me.”
