I can't let him catch me,she thought wildly.I must escape. I must.
18
"Paisley!" Dominic called after her, but his voice was immediately swallowed up by the noise and chatter of the crowds. She disappeared too, a cluster of people stepping in front of her, then she was gone.
Annoyed, Dominic turned back to the earl. The man stared blankly back at him, acting as if he didn't recognize him.
"Oh, dear," Lord Ainsley said, his voice light. "I do hope it wasn't anything I said."
Dominic scowled. "We've met."
The man raised pale eyebrows in mild, polite surprise. "Oh? Have we?"
"Aye, we have. Ye came to me pub."
"Pub?" Lord Ainsley echoed, with that same mild expression that was now starting to rankle with Dominic. "I'm afraid I don't quite recall. I do apologize."
That was a slight, through and through. Dominic might not care for the manners and rules of the Englishton, but he knew enough of them. It was up to the person who was the social superior to claim acquaintance – or not. By pretending not to know him, Lord Ainsley was acting as though Dominic was a grubby, pushy commoner.
What was more, he probably thought that Dominic was too stupid to understand the slight.
"I think I had better take my leave," Lord Ainsley said, making a polite and graceful bow. "Thank you for your hospitality."
Without waiting for a reply, he melted away into the crowd. Dominic watched him go, clenching his jaw.
"I daenae like that man," he said, once Lord Ainsley was out of sight. "He came toTheSinner, asking for Paisley, whether he admits it or not."
Catriona sucked her teeth. "Aye, and she got a fair start at the sight of him. He never did tell me how he got invited here. I'm nae sure he did get invited at all."
"It wouldnae surprise me. Wait here, Ma, I'll go find Paisley. I want her to tell me more about that man. He gives me the shivers."
"Aye, all right."
Catriona settled back in her seat, looking troubled, and Dominic struck out into the crowd, craning his neck to see Paisley's familiar golden-brown head.
He passed Thomas and Colby, hunched over a set of brandy glasses in the corner, drinking steadily.
"Did I hear right," Thomas burst out, grabbing Dominic's sleeve as he passed, "or are ye betrothed to that wee lassie in the pub? Paisley, the English girl?"
"Aye, I am, but she's gone missin'."
"Missin'? Did ye drive her off already?" Colby snorted, and Dominic silenced him with a glare.
"Some strange Englishman turned up and gave her a start. She went runnin' off, and now I can't find her."
Thomas was still chuckling at Colby's joke, but Colby's expression darkened.
"Well, she must be here somewhere, Dominic."
He snarled. "I knowthat. I've been searching for an hour, and I haven't seen hide nor hair of her."
Thomas finally sobered up. "Do ye think she's gotten lost? The Keep's a big place."
"I daenae know. Maybe."
"I'll get Veronica and Emma," Colby said, getting to his feet. "We'll search the Keep. Thomas, ye can search the stables and the grounds outside. Get some of the servants to help. Dae ye think there's any chance she could have gone outside, Dominic? Maybe she went home?"
He considered. "I daenae know. Maybe. It's dark out there now."
