Page 42 of The Guardian's Witch

“I could go with you to Ravencroft.” She found the very idea disturbing but what choice did she have?

“I suppose. I can have one of my men escort you back to Glen Kirk. I can see no other way.”

The decision made, they broke their fast with bread and apples. Then Lisbeth helped wrap Bryce in his cloak. Bryce patted the place of the missing fastener.

“You’ve lost your clasp.”

“I’m sure I will see it again.”

Chapter Twelve

“M’lord?” Alice stood in the estate room in front of Alex.

Alex’s head popped up from his ledger.

“Keep still, woman.” John admonished in a low voice.

She looked up at him, fear in her eyes.

Alex looked from one person to the other. The woman was wringing her hands. He closed the book and sat back. “What’s amiss?”

Her lips trembled. “I can’t find her. I’ve looked everywhere.” Her voice was a whisper. “Her bed has not been slept in.” The room was silent.

“John, what’s Alice talking about?”

The burly man hesitated. “Lady Lisbeth, sir. We can’t find her. When Alice went to help her dress this morning she found the room empty.”

Alex sprang to his feet, knocking the book from his desk.

Startled, Alice let out a yelp. Tears filled her eyes. “It’s the curse. I know it’s the curse.”

“Quiet, you silly woman, while his lordship thinks,” John barked at her.

She sniffled but her tears didn’t stopped.

“I’m certain I know where she is, m’lord. The hunting lodge. She was afraid Lady Laura would be there. She asked me to take her but I told her you ordered everyone to stay on the castle grounds.”

Gareth entered the room with Robby. “We asked the villagers if they’ve seen her. The baker remembered she stopped at his stall and bought some bread. He noted she headed toward the forest.”

“He was distracted.” Robby spoke up. “He thought to call after her but by the time he looked back she was gone, walking with Lord Mitchell. He assumed she shopped at one of the other stalls.”

“Bryce was with her?” questioned Alex.

“As far as we know he was with her only a short while before he rode off. The rumor she’s missing has spread quickly. There’s great unrest in the village and among Wesley’s men, m’lord. Even our men are rumbling.” Alex noted the concern in Robby’s voice.

Gareth stepped forward. “She’s everyone’s favorite, which doesn’t surprise me.” Usually unflappable, uncertainty crept into Gareth’s expression. “Lord Alex, she and Laura probably got to talking and lost track of time. I’m certain we’ll find them both cuddled and cozy at the lodge.”

Alex nodded, deep in thought. “John, Alice. Thank you.”

As John helped Alice from the room, Alex couldn’t help hear the two speaking. “Do you think they’ll find her?”

“Lord Alex won’t let anything happen to our lady.” They left the room and closed the door behind them.

“I specifically told her not to leave the grounds.” Curses fell from Alex’s mouth. “Get some men and come with me. We ride to the lodge.” He stormed out of the estate room in a fit of anger.

* * *

The trees flew by in a blur. Alex drove Prime hard through the forest, forcing his men to keep pace. The once-brilliant colors of fall were now brittle and brown. Rotted leaves exploded from under the horses’ hooves. He took the steep slope as if he were attacking an enemy. His unease grew with each stride. He arrived at the level section of the forest and urged Prime on. Something was terribly wrong. He had to get to her now. The closer he got to the hunting lodge, the stronger the feeling grew. He knew she was in danger.

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