Page 31 of The Beast of the Highlands
She sighed. “Yes, I suppose I am.”
Just then, Leighton sprinted out of the portcullis, panting as he reached Seashell’s side. “Ye were nae goin’ to leave without sayin’ goodbye, were ye?” He slipped something into her saddlebag. “I tried to catch ye in yer chambers, but ye’d already gone. Thought I’d have to chase ye again.”
“Farewell, Leighton. I will be back soon,” Autumn replied. He was not Flynn, but she took some comfort in his cheerful face.
Leighton jabbed a finger at Desmond. “Keep her safe. She’s broadenin’ this mind of mine.”
“I will, Master Leighton,” Desmond said.
Inspiration seized Autumn. Leaning down and pretending to adjust Seashell’s stirrup, she lowered her voice so only Leighton would be able to hear. “Might you watch Mary? I fear she may know… something. If there is trouble, send word to me.”
If there is, I might have no choice but to stay at the manor.
Leighton’s eyebrows shot up. “Of course, Autumn. I’ll watch her like a hawk.”
“Thank you.” Sitting upright once more, she gave Desmond a nod. “Let us depart while the weather is still good.”
For it felt as though a terrible storm was brewing somewhere on the near horizon.
20
Flynn had cursed himself for being too deep in his dreams of Autumn to realize that the real woman had left his side. He had awoken alone and naked, patting the furs for her. It had taken some time for the memory of her sudden alarm to come back into his mind. By then, it was too late to bid her farewell and steal one last kiss before she left.
Now, an entire day had passed without her, and it had been the emptiest day of his existence. Several times, he had found himself venturing toward her bedchamber, or walking the familiar path to Leighton’s study, or heading downstairs to the library, only to remember that she would not be there.
I thought I was exaggeratin’ when I said I cannae be without her. Turns out, it’s worse than I expected.
Might it have been easier to bear if they had not vowed to be true to another, and lain together in such a life-changing fashion? He did not know, and there was no way of finding out, now that they had crossed that line.
“M’Laird?” Desmond ran along the battlements, where Flynn had taken to pacing.
“Aye, Desmond.”
The man-at-arms bowed. “I came to tell ye I’ll be leavin’ within the hour to fetch Miss Montgomery back.” Concern writhed behind the fellow’s dark brown eyes. “But… there’s somethin’ else I have to tell ye.”
Flynn frowned. “Did somethin’ happen to her on the journey there?”
“Nay, M’Laird. It’s about the provisions I took with me.” Desmond shifted awkwardly. “I wanted to tell ye yesterday, but I rested me eyes for a minute—next thing I ken, it’s morning.”
“Spit it out, Desmond,” Flynn urged. “I wouldnae deny ye a rest after a long day, so ye’ll nay be in bother with me.”
Desmond ran a nervous hand down his ginger braid. “The thing is… I ken I loaded ‘em to the back of me saddle, as I always do. I remember doin’ it, so I dinnae check again before we left.” He glanced around, as if someone were listening in. “But when I got to the manor with Miss Montgomery, the sack is there… but it’s stuffed with rags. Nay provisions to speak of. And I dinnae put them rags there.”
“Ye fear sabotage?” Flynn struggled to keep the concern from his voice.
Desmond gave a helpless shrug. “I daenae ken, M’Laird. I’ve been discreet, like ye told me. I’ve made sure nay soul sees me leave the castle when I’m on me deliverin’ runs, and I return with a brace of hares or a couple of quails, so folks think I’ve been huntin’. But someone tampered with that sack, and I daenae ken who.”
Flynn leaned back against the stone wall of the battlements and turned his anxious gaze out toward Ettrick Forest. The trees rustled in the chilly breeze, like they were trying to whisper the name of the culprit. And though he had spent his whole life here, he had never been able to understand the language of the woods.
“Did ye leave yer horse after ye loaded the provisions?” He returned his attention to Desmond.
The man-at-arms nodded sheepishly. “Couldnae have been more than a few minutes, while I went to check Seashell was saddled. Me horse was already outside in the stable yard. Whoever it was knew what they were lookin’ for, where they’d find it, and when to strike.”
“Did the stablemaster or the ostlers see anythin’ odd?”
Desmond shook his head. “I spoke to ‘em but they dinnae see a thing. Or, if they did, they’re nae talkin’.”
A sinking feeling weighed down the pit of Flynn’s stomach, replacing the giddiness that committing himself to Autumn had created within him. Although, he was not concerned that someone had discovered their love. Rather, he was concerned that someone might be plotting against her, for the sole reason that she was an Englishwoman in Scottish land.
