Page 24 of My Highland Love

“What do you think?” Marcus ran a hand down the horse's leg. “He stumbled last week.”

Harris squatted and looked closely at Gerald's knee. “A might knobby.” Harris stood and walked around the horse, feeling belly and rump as he went. “His coat is dull and”—the steward came around to the horse's head again—”his head is hanging low.”

“Aye,” Marcus agreed. “We'll need two more plow horses then. Alen could last another season, but we will use him for delivery. Don't order from MacFie. I have another seller in mind. Belgian draft horses.”

“Aye,” Harris replied.

Marcus went around the rump of the horse. “Go yourself. There's a Russian Trotter I want you to look at. You can order the supplies while in Edinburgh.”

“What are ye saying?” A shout from outside the stall intruded upon their conversation.

Marcus recognized the stable master's voice.

“Where did they go?” Brady demanded.

“Mary didna' g-go with Elise,” Craig, the stable boy, stammered.

Marcus stilled.

“Bloody fool,” Brady shot back. “You didn't wonder why she wanted the mare?”

Marcus cursed and started for the door.

“W-why should I wonder?” the boy stuttered. “You let Mary use your horse before. How could I know you changed your mind?”

“Christ,” Brady's voice was hoarse. “MacGregor will whip us both.”

Marcus lunged from the stall and Craig went pale. Brady glanced over his shoulder and his eyes widened.

Marcus strode toward them. “Hold,” he commanded when it looked as if they would bolt.

“I had no notion—” Brady began, but Marcus raised a hand.

He grabbed Craig by the collar, nearly lifting him from the ground. “What happened?”

“Th-they came a-a-and g-go—”

“Pull yourself together,” Marcus snapped.

Craig swallowed. “M-Mary and Elise came and s-saddled Brady's mare. I didn't know they were not supposed t-to take her.”

“Nae?” He gave the boy a hard shake. “How long ago did she leave?”

Craig hesitated, and Marcus said, “It is nearly three now. How long?”

“This morning. Mayhap eight.”

“You helped them saddle the mare?” Marcus snapped.

“No! I heard them saddle the horse.” He hesitated.

Marcus's lips tightened. “Sleeping?”

Craig dropped his gaze.

“What did they say?” Marcus demanded.

“Elise was g-going to Michael's.”