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With that cryptic statement, she walked away.

Laughing aloud, not caring if the guards overheard him and thought him daft, Aidan could not help but appreciate the situation. Allie was urging him to steal away to Sutworth—just like he’d helped her steal away to Brockburg when she and Reid were separated.

But this was different. Gillian had disliked her sister’s choice, aye, but that was not the same as risking the wrath of the Earl of Theffield. Yet . . . if Clarissa did not tell anyone how she’d come to be at Sutworth, was there really any danger in paying her a visit as Allie had suggested?

Do not attempt to fool yourself. Of course there is a danger.

But his sister-in-law was right on one account. He could not sit here and wait to learn of Clarissa’s fate. He would leave a quick message to Graeme, and then he would go to Sutworth and return before nightfall.

Just to ensure all was well.

Chapter 9

Though not as large as Theffield Castle, Sutworth Manor was every bit as opulent. Clarissa spied her father’s hand in small details throughout the hall. Overly bright tapestries chronicling the exploits of English kings lined the walls. He’d certainly done nothing to endear himself to the people here, proud borderers who likely did not appreciate the flaunting of their very English lord. Though it was fairly common for nobles on both sides of the border to own estates in both England and Scotland, she suspected most of them attempted to assimilate a bit more than her father had.

Of course they hated him here. And, unlike at Theffield, the servants were not as circumspect in their disrespect of their master. When she entered the hall for the midday meal, Clarissa did not know what to expect. But it didn’t take long to realize the very thing she feared most had happened.

They knew why she was here.

First, the steward had approached her with a whispered apology. “I’m sorry, my lady. We will protect your secret.” Someone, likely Father Patrick, had told him the truth.

So much for the man’s vow of secrecy.

Then, as the meal was served, another servant gave her a pitying glance and sad smile. The servants’ behavior was pronounced enough that she left the head table in search of Kirstine.

The maid confirmed what she already knew—they were all aware of her situation—and promised it was not her who told. Word had already spread throughout the manor. She vowed to learn what she could and report back to Clarissa at the head table.

Fulfilling her promise, Kirstine returned with news a short time later as Clarissa ate a bowl of rather tasty stew alone at the head table. Those retainers who also ate in the hall hardly seemed to notice her.

“Father Patrick told the steward of your plight. And it seems the news spread from there.”

Clarissa’s heart sank.

“But do not fret, my lady!” The maid lowered her voice. “There is no great love here for your father, begging my pardon, and all of us are willing to help. In fact, we are most anxious to do so.”

That was all well until the wrong person learned of her true purpose here. But her troubles were hers alone, not the maid’s.

“Thank you, Kirstine.”

Dismissing her, Clarissa decided she was no longer hungry. She left the high table in a hurry, which was how she came to nearly collide with . . .

“Oh!”

She stopped just short of her guest and Master Gavin, who had apparently entered together from the double door of the small keep. Sutworth Manor had been built in stages, the small keep ironically the name for the largest of three towers connected by shouldered archways.

“My lady.” Aidan bowed as grandly as any gentleman. “You are Lord Theffield’s daughter, are you not?”

Gavin appeared confused by the hurried greeting. By rights, the steward should have introduced them, but Aidan had needed to convey a message. She understood immediately and replied in kind.

“I am,” she said. “Though it appears you do not remember our last meeting.”

Aidan’s eyes widened.

“You visited Theffield with your brother and father many years ago. Through God’s grace, you’ve not changed much.”

When he smiled, a genuine smile that did not make her feel as if she’d done something wrong, Clarissa’s knees weakened, though thankfully they continued to support her.

“What brings you to Sutworth?”