Page 65 of The Masked Baron
“Is this an order?” Andalin asked, her brow raised.
Ellis kicked a pebble with his toe, causing it to bounce into the pond. “Maybe.” He turned and smiled teasingly at Andalin. “Unless you think it will throw me into a jealous fit and distract me from my purpose.”
Andalin put her hands in her lap. “Kerrigan and I were just—”
“Just Kerrigan, is it?” Ellis looked affronted.
Andalin pressed her lips together to hide her smile. “My apologies—LordKerrigan.”
“You are toying with me. Yesterday you were spouting your affections for me, and as soon as Kerrigan arrives, I am cast aside like an old shoe.”
“I am surprised at your reaction since it was you who insisted he be my dance teacher and escort.”
“A privilege I could not accept myself. Can you imagine me at a ball? With the people cowering instead of dancing? Besides, it’s been so long since I’ve danced, I’m not sure I could remember the steps. It’s no wonder you find Kerrigan to be such an attentive swain. He holds the trump card.”
“I wouldn’t have believed it at first, but Lord Kerrigan is right. You do jump to conclusions.”
Ellis went from amused to annoyed. She bit her lip. She hadn’t meant to vex him—only goad him a bit. “Come now, he is your dearest friend.”
“I know,” Ellis admitted. “I have been trying to remind myself all morning.”
“Let us speak of something else.”
Ellis looked sideways at her. “You are avoiding telling me what Kerrigan spoke to you about.”
Andalin remained silent. It wouldn’t do any good to repeat the compliments Kerrigan had paid her, especially now, when Ellis was acting so sensitive and on edge.
“Very well, we can speak of something else.”
“Good. What would you like to talk about, then?”
Ellis reached over and unclasped Andalin’s hands with his own and held them. “There is something I have been meaning to explain.”
Andalin felt the blood wash out of her face. Not ten yards behind them was a set of eyes staring directly at her. But this time the hair was not golden; it was dark.
“Ellis.” Andalin’s frightened whisper captured his attention. “Ellis, come kneel before me like you have something important to say, and then turn your head to see the woman not far behind you.”
Ellis’s jaw went tight. He smoothly slipped to one knee, rotating his position so he was now directly in front of Andalin. He kept her hand in his and then, without speaking, lifted his face to kiss her cheek. While he did so, he turned his head so he could see the woman in the shadows. His careful, measured movements made the time slow almost to a stop.
A yell came from Ellis’s lips so full of rage Andalin nearly lost her seat. He leapt to his feet and bounded over the log as if it was not even there. Andalin whirled around in time to see the witch bolt. Ellis was just a few strides behind and moving faster than Andalin thought possible. When he was within reaching distance, Ellis dove and tackled the woman to the ground. An unearthly scream pilfered through the woods, and Andalin jumped to her feet and ran toward them.
“Ellis!” Andalin yelled as she came nearer. “You must not hurt her!”
Ellis flipped the woman around so her face was in the dirt. He grabbed her arms and pulled them none too gently behind her so she could not escape.
“Grab the rope from my bag!” Ellis huffed, his breath hard and short.
Andalin lifted her skirts and ran back to the horses. She grabbed the rope and raced back to Ellis.
He took it and bound the witch’s hands behind her. Then he half-dragged her to his horse, where he tied the other end of the rope to his saddle.
“My horse obeys only me, so don’t get any ideas.” The woman would not look at them, but there was panic evident on her features. “Where is my sister? I know you have her!”
The woman’s face crumbled, and she started to cry.
“Tell me!” Ellis yelled, shaking the witch as he did. The woman remained silent; her head cowered, so they could not see her eyes.
Andalin felt helpless. She did not like the seething anger she saw in Ellis. Even though she loved him deeply, the emotion frightened her. She looked around them, hoping Lord Kerrigan and Mr. Lewis would show up any moment. But they did not.
