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He held her in his arms, his mind still struggling to reorganize the past into this new frame. That was when it occurred to him. She’d lost a husband and four children all at once. And had been forced to marry a cruel, abusive husband.

He squeezed a bit tighter. “I love you, Mother. And I will never let anyone hurt you again.”

23

They returned just past the midday meal. Clara was preparing for a ride to Kenshire’s village with Emma and Sara when Geoffrey walked into the stables to announce the arrivals.

“You can remove my wife’s saddle, and tell Eddard I must speak to him at once,” Geoffrey told the stable hand. He was out of view, but it was unmistakably him. Sara planted her hands on her hips, and when her husband entered, she glared at him.

“I’ll thank you not to order me about, husband. I was just about to—”

He reached around the countess’s expanded waist and silenced her with a kiss, followed by whispered words for her ears only.

“I’m so sorry, ladies,” Sara said by way of apology. “Do you mind terribly if I do not accompany you?”

“Actually,” Emma said, looking toward the entrance of the stable, “I may come back with you.”

Clara followed her glance toward Alex, who filled the entrance with his large frame and imposing presence. His grin stretched from ear to ear, and the way he looked at her. . . Clara knew she was lost. She had promised herself not to seek out any additional contact with him. Until she figured out what to do next, being with Alex was not wise.

And yet, that smile drew her in. Something had changed in him. His smile was broader, his steps lighter, as he entered the increasingly crowded space.

“I’m very sorry to hear that, Emma. But surely you won’t leave—again—because of me,” Alex teased.

Emma was already beginning to follow her brother.

“Nay, ’tis not you at all.” She held her hand to her head, implying that she’d suddenly acquired a horrible headache.

“Shall I unsaddle your mount as well, my lady?” the beleaguered stable boy asked Clara.

“Aye.”

“No.”

The poor boy looked from her to Alex, confused.

“I will gladly accompany you to the village, Lady Susanna,” he clarified.

If he was surprised she intended to go there without her disguise, he didn’t show it.

She pretended to be shocked. “Unaccompanied? Why, my lord, I could not consider such a thing.”

His laugh made her forget everything but this very moment. It was a hearty and careless laugh, one that filled her soul with joy. As if eager to escape their banter, the stable boy led her horse outside.

“I assure you, fair maid, I am quite harmless.”

“That, my lord, is a lie,” she said, allowing him to escort her out of the stables. He held up his hand, and she took it, mounting the chestnut mare easily, even inhibited by the folds of Emma’s gown. Once seated, he continued to hold her hand just a few moments longer than was necessary.

“Did you have a particular destination in mind, my lady?”

Once he was satisfied that she was well settled on the mare, he mounted his own horse and they began to ride. They continued the pretense of formality through the inner bailey and beyond the gatehouse.

“Enough,” she relented as they wove their way down the incline that led away from Kenshire Castle.

Suddenly shy, she didn’t know what to say. She wanted to know what had happened on his journey but also why he’d left so suddenly—and without telling her about the latest news regarding his mother. Thoughts about that night, which had filled her every waking moment prompted her to look ahead rather than at the Scotsman riding next to her.

“We found her,” he said.

“You did?”