Page 26 of The Masked Baron
The room was silent for several minutes except for the sound of Ellis’s boots pacing on the stone floor. Matilda cleared her throat loudly and made an excuse to tend to the garden.
Andalin moved to follow her out, but Ellis blocked her path.
“What happened?”
Andalin sighed and returned to her stool. “I was on my way out for my morning ride when I heard a noise in the study. I thought it was you, but when I opened the door, I saw Mr. Brennan... ah, that man, pilfering through your papers. The next thing I knew, he was dragging me out the front door, insisting I needed rescuing.”
Ellis’s eyebrows lowered, disappearing behind his mask, and he put his hands on his hips. “Mr. Brennan?”
Why did she have to blurt out his name? Ellis was not going to like her explanation. “Yes, Mr. Brennan. From town.”
“From town?” His eyes sparked with anger. “When were you in town?”
Ellis would make an excellent general. One look from him would make an entire assemblage of soldiers cower. She was no exception.
“Never, of course. He was here a few weeks back asking questions. I sent him away. I didn’t think it was of any importance or that he would ever return.”
Ellis put his hands on his temples and rubbed them. Then he blew out his breath. “You probably want to know about his accusation against me. The part where I cut off his brother’s hand.”
“You don’t have to tell me,” Andalin said, adamantly shaking her head.
“I wish I could take credit for it. He was caught thieving, and I generously gave him a second chance. The next time it happened, I cornered him at the mill. While he was fighting me, he stumbled and his hand got caught. I will spare you the details, but needless to say, he received his comeuppance. My attempts to bring order to Thornton Way always does more trouble than good. The people fear me but do not respect me. They blame me for all of their problems.”
Andalin looked at her lap. She had not been prepared for this sort of voluntary explanation. Ellis started pacing again, and she felt the need to offer him encouragement—to give him peace of mind. After all, she should have told someone about Mr. Brennan’s trespassing in the orchard.
“The people cannot respect someone they do not know. Perhaps I could tell them—”
“No!” Ellis barked, coming to stand in front of her. “Did Mr. Brennan listen to you? No. No, it is too late. I have chosen a life of seclusion, and I prefer it this way.”
Andalin glanced at the mask. The townspeople were under the same misconceptions about Ellis as she had been. They held the same fear and the same anger.
“You have to know I was not afraid of Mr. Brennan.”
“Afraid?” Ellis questioned fiercely. “You should have beenveryafraid. Mr. Brennan is capable of all sorts of vile behavior. I would have run him through had he not lit off like a coward. You cannot trust a man who sneaks into another man’s house and then forcefully drags a lady away against her will.”
Andalin surprised herself by not reacting to his anger. She calmly and bravely placed her hand on his forearm. “Ellis, I was not afraid because I knew you would come for me.” She added lightly, “Your reputation as swordsman is as strong as your nickname.”
Ellis blew out his anger in a long breath. “I prefer the boomerang.”
Andalin gave a short laugh, dropping her hand. “Wonderful! Then, you can play fetch with your new dogs. Maybe their company will pry you from this life of seclusion you have chosen for yourself.”
Ellis didn’t laugh with her. Instead he looked away.
Andalin was worried she had offended him when he suddenly asked, “What did you want to speak to me about this morning?”
“Whatever do you mean?”
Ellis frowned. “You were coming to see me in my study when you found Mr. Brennan. Were you not?”
Andalin gave a small nod, afraid to broach the topic now. “Yes, but it can hold for another time.”
Ellis sat down hard on a stool next to her. “This is as good a time as any.”
This really wasn’t as good a time as any. Ellis’s eyes were narrowed and stormy. Andalin was afraid lightning would strike if she touched any sensitive topics of conversation, so she went another route. “Well, I was thinking about Lord Kerrigan.”
Ellis’s eyes changed to reflect a pensive state. “Lord Kerrigan?”
“Yes, it was suggested that upon his return he would accompany me to a ball. I know several country dances, but I assure you they are a far cry from Society dancing.”
