Page 30 of Once Upon A Haunted Castle
Beiste laughed. “Ye may be a laird, young pup, but ye’re on my land. And the only reason ye’ve a castle to your name is because of my family.”
Erik’s gaze burned back on his. “My castle. Ye claimed it. Ye’ll return it to me.”
“Aye, but not until ye’re ready.”
That had the little scamp growing red in the face, his own teeth bared, giving Beiste the impression that when he was a man, he’d be a mighty one to be reckoned with. “What right do ye have?”
“I am your overlord. I have every right.”
“I want to see my sister.Now.”
Rather than cause a scene, Beiste rolled his eyes and said, “All right. And I suppose ye’ll not want to be sleeping in the stables anymore?”
Erik straightened, hands fisted at his sides. “Nay.”
“Why did ye lie to me?” Beiste leveled his gaze on the lad, daring him to lie again.
“For my protection. For Elle’s.”
“But ye didna need protection from me. I was the one helping ye.”
Erik shrugged. “How was I to know to trust ye just yet?”
Beiste sighed. “Ye’re right. I’d have done the same thing. Come now. Let us get the two of ye reunited.” And to cease the frigid glares Elle was certain to toss his way.
Och, frigid… Devastated was more like it.
When he’d come through the gate and seen her staring at him as though he’d truly betrayed her, it had torn at Beiste’s heart. She’d been the only thing keeping him going the past sennight while they searched the mountains. He dreamt of her at night and fantasized about her during the day. Wanted to make her happy, to take away the pain that had been caused to her over the past weeks. Not to be the one to give her more.
Beiste led Erik into the castle and up the stairs to Elle’s chamber. The door was ajar, but still he knocked with the back of his knuckles, not wanting to push into her chamber the way he had before—when she’d been in the bath. Blast it… But he could still see her in that tub. This was not the time, nor the company, in which to start thinking of sweet Elle soaking wet and naked.
When she did not answer, Beiste knocked again. “My lady? I’ve a visitor for ye.”
Still nothing. Where Beiste hesitated, Erik did not. The young pup pushed past him and shoved the door wide.
“Elle! Do ye not care to see me—” Erik cut himself off short at seeing the room was empty.
Beiste frowned. “She’s not here,” he grumbled, stating the obvious.
Having not been home the past eight days, he wasn’t certain where else she’d be, but he knew someone who did. “The housekeeper ought to know where she is.”
They trudged back down the stairs to the kitchens, finding the heated room to be all a bustle with preparations for the noon meal.
“Mrs. Lach?” he called.
She stepped from the buttery. “Aye, my laird?”
“Have ye seen Lady Elle?”
Mrs. Lach carried a tub of lard to the center table. “She’s in her chamber, my laird.”
“Nay, she’s not.”
The housekeeper frowned, issuing an order to one of the scullions. “I saw her go up there myself. Havena seen her come down.”
“She’s not there, I assure ye.”
“Check the gardens.”
