He nodded and climbed into his own saddle.
And that was that.
One minute she’d been holding him, and now he’d tossed her onto the horse. When she gathered the reins, her hands shook.
“There is a path to a thicket,” he said.
“A path?”
“Aye. Your mare will follow Anton. When we enter the thicket, however, the path disappears. I take a different route every time to hide the direction to my camp. This involves doubling back and windingaround trees. It’s slow but not difficult. You can mirror me to the right or left. Fleur should comply with no effort. Just watch for holes in the sod. The thicket is home to every manner of creature.”
“Alright,” she said, shading her eyes. She’d lost her hat in the ambush the day before. “And you’re taking me to...?”
“We’ll ride to the edge of the forest, just outside Pewsey. You’ll have to walk from the outskirts of town to the inn—it’s not far—because I cannot be without this mare. I’m sorry. I’ve money for you to give to the innkeeper to cover the price of the horse stolen by Channing Meade. There is also money to hire a carriage to convey you to the home of my sister Elise. It’s also not far. Her estate is called Mayapple. Any local driver will know the way.”
“The money, Gabriel,” she said, “it’s not necessary, really I—”
“Please do not argue. Please take what very little I can give.”
These words seemed to pain him, so Ryan simply nodded. “Alright. Thank you.”
He exhaled then—it was clear he expected to fight her on every point—and then kneed his horse into motion. Ryan followed suit, reining the mare behind his stallion.
“Shall I close my eyes,” she volunteered, “so as not to see the way back?”
“No,” he said. “Please do not close your eyes.”
It was the last thing he said for half of an hour, and Ryan did not disturb the quiet. What more was there to say? He couldn’t help her; he couldn’t tell her exactlywhyhe couldn’t help her; and he would not discusswhat had happened last night. They had exhausted all relevant topics. Everything else would be chatter.
She studied the shape of his shoulders and back, marveling at the power of him. Had he felled the trees to construct his stable yard? Did he hunt and skin his own game? Ryan was hardly a city dweller, but Winscombe was staffed by loyal servants and she and her housekeeper shopped in the village every week. She knew every comfort.
They cleared the thicket using his zigzag route and then turned to follow the ruts of what appeared to be a sparsely used road. There was room for Ryan to ride beside him, and she kneed her horse forward.
“Gabriel?”
“Yes?”
“Would you have me say anything in particular to your sister? When I call on her? Shall I simply knock on her door?”
“I’ve written a letter that you may give her. This will help explain. It’s inside a packet with the money.”
“Thank you. This is all very helpful. But do you expect your sister to welcome me? Just like that? I’ll not have to convince her to indulge my tale of woe?”
“I believe she will be very open to receiving you. She is—” An exhale. “She is eager for any connection to me. It will interest her very much that you have seen me. Please... can you assure her that I am well.”
“Yes, yes—alright. But Gabriel? Is there no explanation for why you’ll not see her yourself? What if she asks me why I’ve seen you and she has not?”
Gabriel said nothing.
“You’ve said there was no falling out,” she continued. “I only raise it because disagreements have a wayof healing themselves over time. Or perhaps you dislike her husband? Have you—”
“There was no row,” he said, cutting her off. “And I’ve never met her husband. She speaks very fondly of him in her letters. If she is happy, I am grateful to him.”
“Alright. Fine. I’ll simply tell her what I know of you—which is almost nothing—and also that—”
“I cannot meet her outside the forest because it’s not safe,” Gabriel stated, his voice pained. “And I’ll not meet her inside the forest, because I’m not prepared for her to see what I’ve become.”
What he’d become?Ryan scrunched up her face, trying to understand.
