Page 43 of A Wayward Movement

“What?”

“I’ve been instructed to accompany you wherever you go, miss. For your protection.”

Alina frowned, thinking of Captain Mitchell’s obvious skepticism about her inclusion in the group. For her protection, was it? Well, what did it matter if the captain wanted to keep an eye on her? She had nothing to hide. And as it happened, she actually did want protection.

The ride to the city was spent in silence, which, if not quite companionable, at least wasn’t uncomfortable. The escort of a royal guard made Alina feel more confident that she was allowed to borrow her horse for the trip, so that was something.

Although it took only half an hour to reach the city, given it was much larger than Alton, another quarter of an hour elapsed before they approached the family’s home.

Alina let herself into the yard of the large house, feeling a little awkward when the guard followed her. He helpfully took her horse’s reins, however, allowing her to approach the front door alone.

It was her eldest cousin who answered her knock, looking surprised to see her.

“Hello, Tom,” she said warmly. “Are you doing well?”

“Of course,” he said, giving her a hug. “And you? What brings you here, Alina?”

“I was in Alton,” she said. “So I thought I’d come and say hello to you all.”

“Have you moved to Alton?” His gaze passed curiously to the yard behind her, eyes widening slightly as he caught sight of the royal guard in uniform, holding both horses. “Who’s that?”

“No, I haven’t moved,” Alina said. “And that’s…well, can we come in? I’ll explain inside.”

Tom nodded, his eyes still on the guard. He called for his little brother to come take the horses, obviously not wanting to miss the action himself. The guard surprised Alina, though, by declining to come inside.

Alina followed her cousin into the kitchen, but he’d barely offered her something to eat when they heard the front door open, and her aunt hurried in.

“Tom?” Her voice came ahead of her. “Why is there a—Alina!” She stopped in surprise when she saw her niece. “You shouldn’t be here, sweetheart, there’s a royal guard out there.”

“I know, Aunt Diana.” Alina rose to embrace her aunt. “He came with me. I’m sorry for the inconvenience.”

She searched her aunt’s face, wondering why the other woman didn’t relax. Alina could understand nervousness at a royal guard showing up at your front doorstep. But Aunt Diana didn’t seem reassured to hear that the guard wasn’t there in search of the family.

“He came with you?”

“That’s right,” Alina said with a nod. “Just because it’s not safe to travel alone right now. The crown has sent an investigative team to look into these disappearances. They started in my town, and enlisted me to help.”

“You?” her aunt demanded. “Why you?”

Alina shrugged, uncomfortable. Her family didn’t know her history with the prince, and she intended to keep it that way.

“I was available, and I know people both in my own town and here. I don’t think I’m much use, though.”

“That’s for the best,” her aunt said firmly. “Alina, you should stop. It doesn’t matter what you agreed to. They can’t make you do anything. Don’t let them exploit you.”

“No one’s exploiting me, Auntie,” Alina tried to explain. “They’re paying me—a ridiculous sum, really.”

“If someone’s offering you too much money to do something small, that’s all the more evidence they’re trying to manipulate you somehow,” the older woman said firmly. She nodded to her son. “Tom, keep an eye on the guard through the window. Make sure he’s not doing anything he shouldn’t be.”

“You really don’t need to worry about him,” Alina told her aunt, once Tom had left the room. “I asked him to accompany me for safety, that’s all.”

“Heaven knows I wish you were better protected, like the old days,” her aunt said. “But this isn’t the way, Alina. You can’t get mixed up with official crown business.”

“Why not?” Alina demanded.

“The crown can’t be relied on for anything,” her aunt said, her brow heavy. “I wouldn’t trust them with the life of a favorite dog, let alone my niece. Helping them investigate the disappearances puts you in the sights of whoever’s behind them. Your father wouldn’t like you getting involved, and I feel duty bound to try to protect you for his sake. Won’t you just take my word for it?”

Alina frowned, trying to make sense of the strong reaction. Her aunt was speaking as though Alina’s father had been overprotective, but that wasn’t how she remembered him. The uncomfortable truth was he was generally more concerned about both his finances and his pride than his daughter.