Page 82 of Sutherland's Secret
“Blackwood was promoted to Hirst’s position after his death,” Brice said after a bracing swallow. “I believe he then went after Eleanor for her family connections.” He pinned Thomas with a look, telling him he was none too impressed with her family’s connections, for they’d only caused grief to Eleanor.
“My God,” Thomas kept saying between sips of whiskey. “I can’t believe this.”
Brice pressed his lips together and sipped his own drink while Eleanor held hers between her hands. “Blackwood has been actively searching for Eleanor since she escaped,” he said.
“Brice has kept me hidden here,” she added.
Thomas turned to Brice. “I can’t even express my family’s thanks, my lord.”
Brice threw back the rest of his whiskey, his anger gaining force. Everything was spinning out of his control, and this helpless feeling swamped him. “It’s Brice,” he said. “And I don’t want yer thanks.”
Thomas looked from Brice to Eleanor and back. Understanding and disapproval darkened his eyes, and he pressed his lips together. Eleanor’s face colored in a fierce blush. Oh, yes, everything was spinning out of control.
“Well, then,” Thomas said, looking down into his glass. “It was fortuitous that we saw each other tonight.”
Brice snorted and poured himself another drink. “Fortuitous, indeed,” he muttered.
Thomas put down his empty glass. “I know you don’t want our thanks, but there has to be something we can do for all of the assistance you gave Eleanor.”
Brice didn’t want to hear any more. He didn’t want the family’s thanks or any token of their appreciation. He wanted Eleanor, but he knew that was impossible from the look on Thomas’s face. Her brother was appreciative of Brice’s care but not enough to allow him to marry her.
“As soon as I rest, we can head back to London,” Thomas said, turning toward Eleanor. “I’m certain you’re eager to get home after all you’ve been through.”
Eleanor looked at Brice. Was that fear in her eyes? Desperation? Or was it sorrow?
“Ye think to take her back home with ye?” Brice asked, valiantly trying to control his anger.
Thomas appeared surprised at the question. “Of course.”
“And what of Blackwood?”
Thomas opened his mouth, then shut it. “I don’t understand.”
Brice pointed to the window. “Blackwood is out there searching for Eleanor. Even if you make it out of Scotland without him knowing it, she’s vulnerable to him.”
“But she’ll be home with us—”
“And ye think that will protect her? It didn’t protect Charles Hirst, did it?”
Thomas paled.
“He’s already proved that he’s willing to kill to get what he wants. He imprisoned Eleanor for weeks in order to break her down. He won’t stop just because she is in the bosom of her family. She knows too much.”
Thomas looked at his sister, then back at Brice. “So what do we do?”
“That’s a good question and one I don’t have an answer for. Now that ye’re missing, Blackwood’s soldiers will be everywhere. No one is safe.”
Eleanor looked at Brice with fear in her eyes. He knew what she was thinking. All of those people out there in those safe houses, the ship that was due to lay anchor in just a few days’ time, none of that could be accomplished now.
She looked out the window. “It’s almost daylight. Why don’t we talk about this after a few hours of rest.”
Thomas ran a hand down his face, looking weary. Brice called for a servant. Cecilia arrived a few minutes later.
“Please show Lord Scarbrough to his room, Cecilia.”
Thomas followed Cecilia to the door of Brice’s solar but turned around before leaving. He looked from Brice to Eleanor, his expression hard. “Eleanor? Are you coming?”
Eleanor looked at Brice with that damn sorrow in her eyes. “Yes, I’m coming,” she said, and walked out the door with her brother.
