Page 31 of The Masked Baron
She heaved a sigh. The fight seeped out of her like water from a broken vase. It was obvious she was the one in the wrong.Shewas the one intruding. Again.
“Oh, I always seem to be apologizing for my hasty words. I’m sorry I followed you. I knew it was wrong, and I did it anyway.”
“Do you think you can stand?” Ellis reached for her.
Andalin nodded her sore head. She was angry with herself and a little angry Ellis wasn’t saying anything. He didn’t release her hand either. He held it securely and then draped his other arm around her to support her back. He was treating her like a child again, but she was so tired and cold she didn’t mind. She melted into the crook of his arm and let him escort her back to Ginger. Fortunately, the horse had stayed by Ellis’s stallion instead of bolting off.
Ellis helped Andalin mount but didn’t release her reins. “I’m not sure your riding home in this state is such a good idea.”
“I promise not to cry until I’m alone in my room,” Andalin said with a scowl. “Does that suffice?”
“It’s kind of you, but I was referring to how tired you are. A second whack on the head might not be as forgiving as the first.”
Andalin had no desire to humiliate herself a second time. “I will ride ahead of you. You can holler at me if you see me dozing.”
Ellis laughed. “I thought I would be able to warn you the first time, but you were asleep and off the horse before I couldholleranything.”
Andalin gasped. “The first time? You mean you knew I was following you all along and you never let on?”
Ellis pulled a mirror out of his cloak pocket. He handed it to Andalin. “I learned long ago not to trust anything about the Black Forest. The mirror only really works when the moon is brightest and between the gaps in the trees. It’s one of the reasons I wait until the full moon to come out here. I didn’t know what your motives were in following me, so I decided to continue with my rounds and keep you in sight.”
“What do you mean by your rounds?” she asked, handing the mirror back.
Ellis pocketed it and raised his masked face to Andalin. “Every month, and occasionally more often, I ride some of the perimeter of the forest. I check for any irregularities, any signs of people. I have stumbled across more than one ‘Mr. Durante and Andalin’ in harm’s way than one might imagine. I have my personal reasons as well.”
“Yes,” Andalin said. “Reasons connected to the alleged mystery that seems to follow you around more than I do.”
“It follows me every waking moment,” Ellis replied. “I cannot free myself from it. You were a much more pleasant alternative, I assure you. Unfortunately, since the prior was here first, it is dangerous for you to involve yourself.”
Impatience nagged at her tired mind. She slid back off her horse, where she could see Ellis better in the dark.
“Everyone keeps reminding me of this danger. The minute I arrived at Braitwood Hall I became part of this. I want to know what it is I should be hiding from. If I am married off at the end of the Season, I might agree it was best you kept me in the dark. But can that be guaranteed? Until then my curiosity could lead to even more danger, preventable only by the information you could have revealed.”
“I thought you said you were done with the Cadogen mystery.”
Andalin huffed. “You’re right. I need to be. Especially since I’m dealing with the most unbelievably tight-lipped people.”
“You’re tired,” Ellis said, shaking his head. “You’re talking in circles. We have a two-hour ride back to the manor house. You’re riding with me on my horse so you can sleep.”
Ellis missed Andalin’s look of alarm. He had regained her hand and was dragging her toward his stallion. He lifted Andalin effortlessly onto his large saddle and then returned for Ginger’s reins. Once he had the mare tied to his horse, he slid up behind Andalin. Her back warmed, and her heart raced. She had never been this close to a man before.
Ellis halted his horse before they had taken more than a few steps. “You’re freezing.”
Because of her sudden rise in pulse, Andalin didn’t notice the cold. Ellis unlatched his cloak and pulled it around the both of them. His left arm held it in place around her stomach.
Andalin felt not only warmer but extremely conscious of Ellis. Her heart was beating hard in her chest, and she wondered if it was possible for him to hear it. It seemed deafening to her.
Nevertheless, against her will, fatigue battled to consume her. Her eyelids felt as heavy as paperweights, and slowly she relaxed against Ellis. She let herself fall into a bouncy yet comfortable sleep.
Chapter 12
“Annie.” A hand shook hergently. “Annie, wake up.” The voice was quiet but urgent. She squirmed. She didn’t want to wake up. She was so tired. “Annie, I need your attention.”
Squinting one eye open, she saw Ellis’s masked face very, very near to hers. Her eyes flew open. She was practically being cradled in Ellis’s arms. In shock she immediately pushed against him with her arms, but he only tightened his grip. One hand snaked over her mouth so she couldn’t call out.
“Hush!” Ellis whispered fiercely. “I saw something in the trees, and I need to investigate. You need to stay awake and watchful until I return.”
Andalin was completely awake now. She nodded. Ellis released her and slid down from behind. He reached over and pressed the mirror and a small dagger into her hands before wordlessly slipping into the shadows.
