“Aye, I received several of his threatening letters. Does he still believe I spirited his sister away? Or had her killed?”
“He’ll nae believe that now that he kens she’s safe. Still, Hunter is protective of his family. He never wanted her to join the bridal swap. For what it’s worth, he blames me, too.” Creighton shrugged tiredly. “And I should warn ye that if I have to take sides in this matter, I’ll choose me cousin.”
“I expect no less.”
He nodded, relaxing a little. “So, what are yer theories? Bump on the head? Embarrassment?”
Evander’s gaze sharpened. “Embarrassment?”
“Aye. If something terrible happened, or if she wishes to keep hidden her part in it—intentional or otherwise—she might claim she remembers nothing.”
“Ye say that as if it means nothing.”
Creighton met his eyes squarely. “Ye think so? I keep me tone light and me words off-hand because this is me cousin we are speaking of, and I daenae like to think of what has happened to her in the past year.”
Evander closed his eyes. “She seems to be in good health. No scars, no wounds, no sign that she has been mistreated. She’s a wee bit grimy, aye, but she seems healthy. Cared for.”
“Cared for,” Creighton repeated with a snort. “I wish I could believe that.”
“I daenae think that she’s pretending nae to remember out of embarrassment,” Evander continued, frowning. “She’s nae like that.”
Creighton gave him a long, thoughtful stare. “Nay, she’s nae, ye are right. Funny how ye ken that.”
“I spent time with her, even if she doesnae remember it.”
Memories flashed behind Evander’s eyes, and he momentarily glanced away. Skye could not regain her memories, but he seemed cursed to remember. He saw her smile flash wide, that high, ridiculous laugh of hers that embarrassed her so much.
He’d once wondered aloud whether she stayed so stern and serious because she was afraid of how silly she sounded when she laughed. She’d aimed a kick at his shin in response, which he’d dodged. Her kickshurt.
Then she told me that our marriage would be a political one and no more. Then she disappeared on our wedding night.
He would have to go through the events of that night in detail and talk it through with her. Of course, he’d already picked apart the night in question over and over again, searching for some clue, some sign that he’d missed. Nothing had come to mind.
Her disappearance was a mystery, but he would be damned if he let her reappearance be just as mysterious.
“She’s nae herself, though,” he heard himself say. “She’s a hellion, but there’s a look in her eyes that wasnae there before. Fear. Confusion. I daenae like seeing that expression on her face.”
“Neither do I,” Creighton muttered. “How could an entire year’s worth of memories be erased?”
“The healers will look her over for any sign of a head injury, but I saw nothing. A simple knock to the head wouldn’t do such damage. There are potions and medicines that can put a person to sleep and leave them with no idea of what happened. A skilled apothecary might put together a mixture that leaves a person so confused and dizzy they cannae remember what happened before.”
“Would such a thing be permanent?”
“I couldnae say. I doubt it, but I’m no healer. As I said, I’ll have her looked over. Ye can send yer healers too, but I daenae want her poked and prodded too much. Whatever she’s been through, it’s left her shaken. I want her to get well.”
“We agree on that, at least,” Creighton sighed.
Evander nodded in response.
The two men parted ways, and Evander turned back toward the tent, ducking his head.
Inside, Skye was standing, her back turned. She flinched when he entered, throwing a quick, wide-eyed glance over her shoulder. The trepidation vanished at once, but he’d still seen it, that sudden look offearin her eyes.
Hungry rage bubbled inside him.
Who could put that look of fear into such a hellion’s eyes? Heaven help them when I get me hands on them.
Clenching his jaw, he puffed out his chest and squared his shoulders.
All in good time.
She gave him a tentative smile. “Are we leaving?”
“If ye wish, lass.”
She gave a relieved nod. “Can we stop by Inverness on the way back? I want to get out of this dress as soon as possible.”
He gave a wry smile. “Whatever ye want, lass. Just ask, and I’ll make it happen.”
