Page 102 of My Highland Love

“A fire at Ashlund.”

Both women gasped.

“It's the stables,” Kiernan called. “The horses are safe, but there's been a casualty. My father and Jeremy are riding ahead. I will see you to Whycham House, then follow.”

“We are nearly to Whycham House,” Sophie said. “You needn't accompany us the rest of the way.”

Kiernan shook his head. “Father instructed me to see you safely there.” He shouted at the driver to move on.

The coach lurched into motion. Kiernan urged his horse to precede the coach and, twenty minutes later, they arrived at Whycham House. Kiernan waited only until the coach passed through the gates, then whirled his horse before Elise could ask any questions. She emerged from the carriage, her gaze following the boy as he disappeared from sight down the road.

“Don't worry.” Sophie rested a hand on Elise's arm. “They know how to deal with such matters.”

“But we don't know a thing about what has happened.”

“Come along, Mary,” Sophie instructed the maid as she hooked her arm through Elise's and started up the walkway of the imposing mansion. “Trust them to deal with the fire.” Sophie led Elise across the threshold and into the foyer.

Elise tossed her riding vest onto the bed and crossed to the chair nearest the window as Mary closed the bedchamber door behind them when Sophie left.

“Now, there must be some water here somewhere,” Mary said, as she glanced around the room. “There it is.” She hurried across the room to the dresser.

Elise seated herself in the chair and bent to unlace her boots. “Freshen yourself first,” she said. “I'll rest a few minutes then see to myself.”

“I canna' do that,” Mary exclaimed. She poured water from the pitcher into the bowl it sat in. “The laird would be displeased.”

“The laird isn't here to care,” Elise replied. She wondered if Marcus had reached Ashlund yet. The estate lay another hour and a half away by carriage. A fast horse could have gotten him there in half the time.

“Aye,” the girl replied with a deep sigh. “It must be difficult for you considering the danger.” Mary took a step back and surveyed the dresser drawers. She opened the top right drawer. “Oh, fine,” she said, and pulled out a washcloth.

“By the time they arrive to Ashlund, the fire may be out,” Elise said.

“Mayhap,” Mary said. She dipped the cloth in the water and wrung it out. “Just pray the main house doesna' catch fire in the process.”

Elise straightened from her boot. “What do you mean?”

“I'm going to Ashlund,” Elise announced an hour later as she entered the drawing room.

Sophie looked up from the tea she was pouring. “Marcus said you were to stay here.” She set the teapot down.

“He did not.” Elise stopped in front of her. “Kiernan simply escorted us here so he could hurry to Ashlund.”

“You know he intended for you to remain here.”

“He probably thought I would be more comfortable here and that I might not want to arrive at Ashlund under such circumstances. Had we discussed the matter, I would have explained none of those things mattered.”

Had Marcus told her the grove that separated the stables from the house had burned once before, nearly taking the house with it, he wouldn't have been able to keep her away. Winnie's story of how her uncle had burned while asleep in his house came back to Elise with the same horrifying realism it had when Mary described how the grove burned thirty years ago.

“Why the concern?” Elise said when the furrows in Sophie's forehead deepened. “Daylight will last another two hours. I can reach Ashlund long before dark. I will take the driver, along with the men Marcus assigned to accompany us.” Sophie still looked doubtful and Elise added, “Along with two of your men, they can help with the fire.”

“Three of our men,” she said. “Keep them as long as Marcus needs them. Perhaps I should send more? Oh dear, I should have thought of that earlier. I wish Justin were here. He would deal with this far better than I.” She looked at Elise, adding in a hopeful voice, “He should be returning any moment.”

“We have all the time in the world to get to know one another,” Elise said. “Now, let's have the carriage readied.”

* * *

Marcus slowed his stallion as he neared the stables at Whycham House. The boy Samuel emerged from the stables and Marcus came to a halt beside him. Marcus dismounted and tossed the reins to him.

“See to him, Samuel,” he said, and started for the house.