“I’m certain he could,” he answered, a growing sense of his own culpability making it hard for him to meet their gazes. Action would be the cure. “I’m going after him before he makes a huge mistake.”
“And I’m going with you,” Kate said moving forward.
“No, you are not. I can travel faster by myself,” Bran said.
She planted herself in front of him. “I will have no problem keeping up.”
“Kate, I will bring them back.”
“I’m not worried about the duke. I’m going to protect Jess from the two of you. And perhaps protect you from her. She’s a clever one and there is no telling what has happened. Give me a moment to change.”
“I don’t have that kind of time,” Bran started again but Kate shut him up with a snap of her fingers.
“You do not have a choice. You don’t come into my home, and that is what this theater is, accusing me the way you did and allowing me to be called names—” She paused to let her meaning sink in.
She knew he had thought the worst of her.
Seeing that her point had been taken, that she had his full attention, she said, “I must protect Jess as well, even though she probably doesn’t need it.”
“Then you will take her back into the troupe?”
“I will do whatever I please, but first, I shall hear her side of the story,” was the icy reply. “Silas, saddle Melon.”
“Not the nag that pulls your wagon,” Bran protested. “I’ll supply you with a mount. Although, I will set a fast pace.”
“I will have no problem.”
“Very well then. I will return shortly.” Bran left.
Yes, the crowd of villagers seemed to have grown since he had entered the tent. There were raised eyebrows and a good deal of general speculation. He walked through them. His stables were almost two miles away. He could have commandeered a pony cart but his legs could move faster.
He had just reached the rim of oaks when he heard a horse come up behind him. He turned to see Mars.
His friend nudged the horse close to him. There was no smile on his face. “Do you wish a ride?”
“I acted a perfect ass back there.”
“You mastered perfect,” the earl agreed.
“I’m sorry. I let my temper have the better of me. My nephew—”
“It wasn’t your temper that had the best of you. And your nephew had nothing to do with it other than being a catalyst. I’ve seen my share of jealous men. You aren’t the first to warn me back. The question I have, Balfour, is what areyourintentions?”
“What do you mean? Why are you quizzing me of such a thing? You, of all people.”
“Because I can and someone should. Kate Addison is not a woman to take lightly and she was genuinely worried about that girl. She feared someone had done something evil to her.”
LikeHemling’skidnapping.
Mars continued. “Women like Kate Addison don’t come along often. Granted, she is too independent by half but that tantrum you just threw—”
“I did not throw a tantrum.”
“No, you just made a buffoon of yourself. I don’t think you wanted to do that.”
He didn’t. Bran looked back at the stage and tents. Kate was nowhere to be seen. He looked up at Mars. “Are you going to give me a ride to my stables?”
“Absolutely,” his friend said, offering a hand so Bran could swing up on the horse behind him. Kicking the horse forward, he added, “I will also warn you that once this matter is cleared up, I’m going after Kate Addison. She’s not ‘yours’ any longer.”
