Page 83 of Edge of Yesterday

Chapter Fifteen

“Lady Julianna,” David, the guard to her right, called above the pounding of their horses’ hooves. She rolled her eyes, sure she knew what he was about to say. “We should slow down, my lady. The horses will weary if we keep up this pace.”

The truth was, he was afraid she would tire. Julianna often wondered if any of the men she’d grown up around knew her at all. The cool spring air whipped her face and chilled her arms, but she refused to pull her cloak closer about her. Even the slightest hint of discomfort would have David stopping until he knew not a hair was out of place on her head. To her shame, she’d been surprised at the nervousness that made her feel like she wanted to reach Reay village as quickly as possible.

There had been no sign of Hugh Murray or his men, but she’d caught herself feeling that he waited around each bend. God help her, if Lennox ever guessed her feelings. He would never let her forget it, and would use it to keep her home.

“My lady,” David insisted.

She blew out a frustrated breath and slowed her mare to a trot. He was right, of course, and she couldn’t let fear rule her action. A rustling in the trees caused her to jerk. Sweet Jesu’, she couldn’t let Lennox or her father see her act like this. Two hours had passed since she learned that Lennox and Cailean had gone to meet her father. Lennox had purposely left her behind. If they’d planned to see him, she should have been invited along. But they had something in mind. What, she didn’t know, but she knew her brother well enough to know he was up to something. That didn’t excuse sneaking away without a word.

The fact that this was a good opportunity to spend time with Cailean away from home, well…she knew how to seize opportunity. She’d hoped to overtake them, but at this pace, her party would meet Lennox and Cailean on their return.

An hour later, the modest tower of Reay village kirk came into view up ahead. If luck favored them, she would find the men here and not in the outlying area searching for her father. They entered the village and her heart leapt when she caught sight of one of her father’s men emerging from the stable at Muirhead Hall.

“Cameron,” she called.

He turned in their direction, lifted a hand to shield his eyes from the late morning sun and waited until they reached him. “My lady, I didnae expect to see ye here.”

“I am to meet my brother and Cailean at the farm,” she said. “We are to continue on together.”

He frowned. “You are going to Reay Abbey with us?”

Satisfaction shot through her. So they did have other plans than seeing her father.

Julianna nodded. “Of course. Where is Lennox, is he with my father?”

“He is. They are at the Monk’s Elbow.”

“Thank ye.”

She urged her horse toward the small inn-yard and two minutes later they stopped in front of the tavern where her brother’s charger stood tied to the post alongside another charger that had to be Cailean’s. David dismounted and hurried to her side. He reached her as she swung her leg over her mare’s rump and he grasped her waist and set her on the ground. He nodded to the other men, thanked the servant who ran over to tend their horses, and then followed her beneath the sloping roof of the porch and into the two-storied building.

At the entrance to the main room, they were met by a petite, buxom woman. “My lady.”

“Hello, Mary.” Julianna greeted her with a smile. “Are my father and brother here?”

“Aye, they are in the private dining room abovestairs.” She started toward the dimly-lit stairwell on the far side of the room.

“No need to show me up, Mary. I remember where the dining room is.” Julianna nipped up the steps with David close behind.

At the top, she hurried to the room and entered. The three men looked up from a table near the room’s only window. Lennox and Cailean stood, but she kept her attention on her father. She felt like a silly young maid. Her heart beat fast and she suddenly wondered at the wisdom in her plan.

Stay calm, she told herself. You are simply visiting your father.

Her father rose.

Lennox didn’t hide his annoyance. “What are ye doing here, Julianna?”

Julianna cast her brother a mutinous look, resisted sticking out her tongue, and hurried to her father. “Papa.” She threw herself into his open arms.

He held her close and stroked her hair. Her chill arms began to warm and she snuggled closer. For a moment, all was right with the world and she knew that even if Cailean hadn’t come here with Lennox she would have made the journey to see her father.

He pulled back and looked down at her. Gray tinged the sides of his hair and crow’s-feet crinkled the corners of his eyes. “What are ye doing here, child?”

“I missed you.”

His brows rose. “I will be home soon.”