Sean waited until the man looked up at him. He shook his head. “Now.”
The man huffed and stood, his expression a mask of annoyance. He glanced over at Tommy. “Looking for a mount?”
“Methinks ye ken I’ve already had a mount from ye.”
He squinted and looked as if he were trying to remember. “No. I do not remember you.”
“Well, ye took my coin and my knife without hesitation. And then ye gave me a stolen horse.”
“Stolen? No. All my horses are from the area.”
Tommy moved in closer, put her hand on her hip, and gave him the best evil eye Sean had ever witnessed, even pausing before she spoke. “Then how is it he rodemyhorse? The one that was stolen from me?”
Stolennow?
The man was slack jawed. “I don’t see how that can be true so that makes you a liar!” The man returned Tommy’s querulous tone before facing Sean. “If you’re bent on making trouble, the sheriff is in town today.”
That would be best if Sean were home but this man sounded Norman. The Sheriff was definitely Norman. What are the chances he’d get justice? And what about Tommy? He didn’t know all the details but he was not certain about her coming up before a sheriff.
He decided to change tactics. “Are ye threatening me?”
“Only if you give me trouble.”
“Ye took my money. Ye told me to use the horse and bring her back and then ye gave me a stolen horse. The owner wants it back!”
The man glanced between the two of them, a frown as deep as the River Liffey between his eyes. “The lad’s a liar. ’Tis not a stolen horse. That horse had been brought to me just the day before—”
“Ah, yer memory is returning then!” Sean crossed his arms.
The man heaved his chest with his sigh. “I remember the horse, not you! And it was not stolen. The man had just won her in a bet and needed her kept here until he returned from up north.”
Sean glanced at Tommy. Her wide eyes were trained on the man as if he were a snake about to bite her.
“The man had won himself a bride as well.”
Tommy turned a bright shade of red. She backed away slightly, suddenly unsure on her feet.
“He was to be wed?”
“Said he’d return for the horse with his bride.” The man wiped his hands on the filthy cloth at his waist. “Do you have the horse?”
“Nae.”
“You shouldn’t be listening to tales.” He turned his gaze on Tommy. “Unless he’s the one the man won it off.” The man chortled and Tommy’s color deepened.
Sean took the opportunity to take Tommy’s arm despite her initial struggle against him and turn her about, away from the other man. “I’m leaving on the morrow. You can have her then—unless I find a witness who backs the lad’s story.”
He wanted the whole story but he wouldn’t shame her here in front of this man by demanding explanations. They made it out of the lean-to and kept moving. Anger lengthened his stride and she was winded as he pulled her along.
“What is amiss? Why are we running away?”
Sean wouldn’t answer her. Not here. He needed a quiet place. He needed to get some answers. Before he realized where he was headed, they were up the hill and behind the village. The trees again giving them shelter from wary eyes.
He let go of her arm and began pacing. Strong emotions stirred inside. Emotions like anger. Like stupidity. Like regret.
“I’m not one to pry. Believe me that I would rather just walk away from this whole messy situation but I’ve a bit of a problem on my hands.”
Tommy gave him a narrow gaze and pressed her lips tightly together. “What problem?”
