Page 64 of The Masked Baron
Ellis shook his head. “All the descriptions of the witch have noted her illustrious dark hair. This woman was fair.”
“Did you see her for yourself?”
“I did not have to, for after a moment, I could sense her.”
Kerrigan shook his head. “Ellis, you are being foolhardy. It could have been someone else. A village woman hiding from her husband or, at the rarest possibility, the witch, finally gone gray. You are so desperate your mind is leaping to possibilities before you have sufficient proof.”
Ellis gritted his teeth. Kerrigan was right. He had been rash. But his gut told him to proceed as if it was truly Eliana and have hope. “You have never believed Eliana could still be alive. But there have been times in the woods I have felt her. Felt her, Kerrigan. You know we always had a connection.”
Kerrigan was clearly struggling with his impatience. “I have not had the faith you have had, but I always hoped you were right. But see reason. It was Miss Durante who saw her, and you did not. How can you be surethiswoman is Eliana?”
Ellis sighed. He looked to Annie for strength. She had been silently watching them, but he knew she supported him. “Miss Durante and I are riding out there again today. We are hoping Eliana will return to watch us again, and we hope to call her to us. If she runs, I will follow her. At least then we will know. My conscience will not allow me to do less than this.”
Kerrigan folded his arms pensively. “I agree you will not be easy until you have investigated this development thoroughly. I only ask that once my sister arrives, you give her the attention she requires. She deserves as much from you.”
“I will do my best,” he uttered. It was hard to commit to pleasing Katrina when he was being pulled in another direction.
“Good,” Kerrigan said. Then, in a much lighter tone, he asked, “How can I be of assistance?”
Ellis wanted to tell him to go back to the inn, but Annie chirped in. “I don’t think Eliana will come close if there are more than just the two of us. Her chances of being found out are too great. She is probably frightened after what she’s no doubt endured. But if you and Birks or Mr. Lewis could ride some distance behind and await some sort of signal, then you can help if we need it.”
Ellis drummed his fingers on the table. “It will be important to give Eliana every reason to believe she can approach us without fear. But if it comes down to tracking her into the night, Miss Durante will be far safer with you at Braitwood Hall.”
“I agree. When do we leave?” Kerrigan asked.
“If Miss Durante will let Mrs. Lewis know about your family, then you and I can find Mr. Lewis and see to the horses. I want you to carry extra supplies—lanterns and such.”
After Annie excused herself, he and Kerrigan crossed to the front door of the house.
“It will be like old times,” Kerrigan noted.
Ellis agreed, though he hoped it was the last time. He opened the door to step outside, but Kerrigan put his hand up to stop him. “I might not always agree with you, friend, but you know I will always fight your battles with you.”
Ellis had wanted Kerrigan out of his house the minute he had seen him bent toward Annie in the dining room. Only two days ago Ellis had been prepared to hand her over in marriage to the man. Kerrigan was not his enemy. He was a true friend.
“Just see that you take care of Miss Durante if it comes to it.” It pained Ellis to ask, but he knew he couldn’t trust anyone to do so better than Kerrigan.
“I will.”
Chapter 23
Andalin curbed her hope witha decent amount of caution. Ellis was quite preoccupied, and his disappointment would be acute if all did not go according to plan. After so many years, his sister could be within his grasp. It meant so much to him and, in turn, would mean a great deal to the both of them and their future together.
They approached the stream leading to the waterfall, and Andalin remained ever watchful. She shuddered from the chill in the air and her nerves; the forest brought back both wonderful and horrible memories. She knew what she wanted to happen today. Despite having never believed in magic, her imagination seemed capable of conjuring up as many frightful things as easily as the fanciful.
Ellis held back to allow her to catch up and then proceeded into the forest.
Once again the sound of the waterfall greeted them. It was as beautiful and as unchanged as the day before. But somehow the air was different. Ellis was not as relaxed. He dismounted and came to help her as well. His eyes darted this way and that as they walked to their spot by the waterfall.
He helped her sit on the log before gently tucking the lap blanket over her. Andalin caught his arm and his attention for what seemed like the first time since they had left the house.
“Why don’t we sit for a moment before you see to our picnic,” Andalin suggested.
Ellis gave her a small smile. “Gladly.”
“Nothing may come of this,” Andalin whispered to him. “And she certainly won’t come close if you are staring about like a spooked deer.”
Ellis visibly relaxed his shoulders. “You are right. Tell me what you and Kerrigan were speaking about before breakfast.”
