Page 52 of The Trials of Alaric
“Of course, he will come back,” she told Ellie, remembering how Luke looked at Ellie when they were together.
“And Alaric will be with him,” Ellie assured her.
Neither of them mentioned that perhaps something had happened to both men, especially with the storm the night before, but Bea could see that knowledge in Ellie’s eyes, and Ellie must have understood that Bea was thinking it, too. She squeezed Bea’s hand. “Come,” she said. “The auctions are starting. Let us go and watch.”
Chapter Twenty-One
After a coupleof hours, the men had completed their purchases, and had also imbibed more than a few jugs of ale to lubricate the negotiations. They were pleased with themselves and just a little loud and brash in their self-congratulations.
When Aunt Joan announced that theCashtal Vaaichservants were serving an al fresco lunch, Bea was happy to retreat to the shade and relative privacy of their tents. Perhaps some food would help to soak up some of the alcohol.
She was seated off to one side, with a good view of the road leading into the field where the fair was just winding up, and so was the first to see two men riding at a gallop along the road toward the fair. By the time they turned off into the field, Bea was almost certain she knew their identity. “Ellie,” she said, “look there.”
Ellie took one look and beamed. “Luke is back.”
That’s what Bea had thought. The riders were Alaric and Luke, and they were fast approaching the tent, though they had slowed their mounts to a walk as they wove between the people who thronged the field.
Alaric’s eyes met hers and he held her gaze as he dismounted. He stepped toward her, leading the horse.
“Mr. Redhaven and Lord Lucas Versey,” Papa said. “I assume you have a good reason for your late return?”
“One obstacle after another, my lord,” Luke replied. “That is the short answer. We can give you the full details whenever you are at leisure.” His eyes looked past Papa to seek out Ellie.
Alaric had not looked away from Bea, but now he turned to Papa and said, “We brought my sister-in-law safely away. She and my brother are at the castle. There are matters you should know, my lord, but they are not urgent.” He frowned slightly. “Not anymore.”
“Have we missed the horse trading?” Luke asked.
Papa’s smile was slight, but it was there. “I do not know,” he replied. “I do not recognize this pair. Borrowed?”
“Purchased in Dara,” Alaric explained. “We had to put in there last night because of the storm, and we were in a hurry to return to the castle.”
“Tell me about them,” said Papa, stepping out of the tent to approach the horses. Alaric, with one last longing look at Bea, obediently began to explain the points of the horse he was leading, while Luke stood by, making cows’ eyes at Ellie.
Bea’s heart was singing. Alaric was back. He had been delayed by one obstacle after another, but he had overcome them to return to her. His eyes declared his continued interest, and perhaps more. Perhaps a warmth that was merely desire. But perhaps it was the love she yearned to inspire in him. And what a fool she would be if she did not make a push to find out.
*
Alaric was nottoo late, thank goodness.
Sir Henry Dashwood was inclined to be offended that Lord Claddach was prepared to credit Luke and Alaric with the three trials they had missed. For the bull herding, that frantic action on the day of the fête had been counted. For the carriage riding, which had apparently been yesterday, Lord Claddach pointedout that Luke and Alaric had been first, driving Alaric’s brother from one side of Claddach to the other.
And now the good earl was accepting the two horses that the men had purchased in Dara. There had been four, in fact—one for each of them. The footmen were coming back by carriage.
Including Eloise among the riders—though she could hardly have been left with her maid and the footmen—had slowed them down, too. Eloise was not a confident rider, and Luke and Alaric had felt it essential to stay with the couple. After all, Bebbington might still be out there somewhere, washed up on Claddach. Gorry, too.
The trip was so slow, they probably would have been better to have bought or hired a second carriage, if there had been one to be had.Well.No point in repining about impossibilities. And it was just as well, as it turned out, for now Alaric had passed all the trials so far. Eleven trials! Could that be true?Well.Ten, and the treasure hunt, which he had not yet completed.
Perhaps Odysseus was the last clue?
I haven’t told Bea about Odysseus. She was still sitting in the same place he’d seen her when he turned in at the gate—off to one side of the tent, a little aside from the others. Three of the other ladies had been with her. Ellie, who was now admiring Luke’s new horse, and Miss Radcliffe and Miss Bryant, who had left their seats to go to the tables where Claddach’s servants were serving food, and who were now chatting with Maddrell and Fairweather.
Alaric took his chance and the seat next to Bea. “I have so much to tell you, Bea,” he said. “But first, how are you?”Did you miss me?He was afraid to ask.
“I am well, thank you, Alaric.” She was looking at her hands, then she looked up and met his eyes, and her own seemed to be asking a question, though perhaps not the one implied by her next comment. “Your trip was not without incident, I gather.”
“I should have been back last night,” he admitted. “I would have been, but Beverley went off with your father’s yacht. Then Viscount Bebbington, Eloise’s brother, tried to have us arrested, and when we finally managed to get on the ocean, a storm came up, and we had to divert to Dara.”
“You took such a risk!” Bea exclaimed.
