I did not intend that but how fitting.
“Consider it baptism,” she said coolly. “Heaven knows you needed some.”
Morlich came up spluttering, eyes blazing. “You Scotch peasant!”
He lunged as if to grab at her skirts but Edward was faster. With a hand to the top of Morlich’s head he pushed, dunking him back into the water. Morlich splashed and spluttered until Edward hauled him out by the lapels.
“Enough,” he said, not needing to raise his voice.
Morlich froze, one hand braced on the trough, water dripping from his chin.
“You forget yourself,” Edward went on, calm and lethal. “You insult my wife in public, you imply God’s approval of tragedy, and now you propose to lay hands on a duchess. No-one would challenge me if I called you out.”
Morlich’s jaw clenched. “You are defending her now. You will regret it when her family ruins you. In my country, Strathmore is a by-word for treachery.”
“Is that your hope or your prophecy?” Edward asked. “Either way, you will keep it to yourself.”
Color burned bright in Morlich’s cheeks, whether from cold or fury. He glanced at Isla, at the watching villagers, at Blake’s implacable face. Whatever insults lined up in his mind, he swallowed them, choking slightly. He hauled himself out of the trough, water cascading, and stalked to his startled horse.
“This is not finished,” he spat, fumbling at the stirrup. “You will regret crossing my family.”
“Perhaps,” Edward said. “But not today.”
Morlich swung into the saddle, nearly slid on the wet leather, righted himself with an oath, and dug his heels in. His two friends followed, casting Isla glances that mixed alarm and reluctant admiration. They thundered off down the lane, a ridiculous, sodden procession. Silence held for a heartbeat, then Blake let out the breath he’d been holding.
“Well,” he said. “That trough’s seen worse, but never better.”
A ripple of relieved laughter moved through the gathered villagers. Isla felt the tension in her chest spill out with it. Then the news in the paper came back to her like a punch.
“Edward.” Her voice frayed. “We must go to London. To Alistair. I have to know what’s happened.”
Edward picked up the discarded newspaper, folded it with neat precision, and handed it back to Blake. “Thank you,” he said. “We will send word if there is news you should know.”
“Of course, Your Grace.” Blake took it, tipping his head to Isla. “Prayers for your family, Your Grace. I have that brandy for you now.”
“Thank you,” she managed, “I think my altercation with Lord Morlich has done the job. You are very kind, Mr. Blake.”
Edward swung back into his saddle with the ease of long practice. He looked at her, his gaze steady, not soft but not hard either. She had smiled as she spoke and Mr. Blake was stuttering and blushing. Isla followed suit.
Do you see how I can be of value to you, Edward?
“We will ride back to Wexford now,” he said. “You will pack what you need. I will order the carriage readied. We leave for London at first light.”
“First light?” she echoed. “Why not tonight?”
“Because galloping blind into the dark helps no one,” he said. “If your brother is unharmed, he will need sense more than panic.”
She wanted to argue. She saw the logic. It made her want to scream.
“Very well,” she said.
They turned their horses toward the hall. Villagers stepped back, hats held respectfully. As they rode, Isla felt the weight of the road to London stretch ahead, long and uncertain. Behind her, in another country entirely, she imagined blackened stone and smoke-stained ceilings where her childhood had walked.
Beside her, Edward rode in silence, his profile carved against the lowering sky. He did not reach out to touch her as he had by the inn. He did not speak comfort. And yet his presence on the road felt like a wall between her and the worst the world might fling.
Somewhere behind the neat hedge of propriety, a thought pricked: Glenmore. Morlich’s father. A man who had never concealed his dislike for Scots with half the grace the Dowager managed. A man who believed in retribution and had coin enough to buy it.
Did he have anything to do with the fire in Perthshire?
