The sounds of activity from the castle faded as she continued. There were no signs of other people and she felt for a moment like the only person on earth. Her mind calmed, the mental churning of the past thirty-six hours receded against the call of the gulls and roar of the wind and water. No machinery, just nature. She wasn’t sure she had ever heard such a complete absence of technology. No hum of airplanes, cars. No one talking on their cell phone. Emmy breathed in the fresh, clean air and closed her eyes. Just peace.
Of course it wasn’t meant to last. It was not long before the sound of hoofbeats had Emmy turning north up the coast expectantly. Two riders approached. As they neared, she recognized Connor and Ian. What magnificent men they were, Emmy thought. Real men. Oh, plenty of the male residents she had worked with had worked out at the gym regularly, but none of them had the natural manliness these brothers displayed. Despite the lack of convenience in the nineteenth century, perhaps there was something to be said for this time, she thought.
The men pulled up their horses next to her and dismounted. Their garb was more formal today. Jackets, vests, ties and hats as well. Though it all hung easily from Ian’s relaxed frame, Emmy thought Connor seemed as uncomfortable in it as he had his evening wear the night before. Ian gave her a formal little bow. “My lady! How goes your day? I am surprised that you’d venture out into this cold when few ladies would do so.”
Since it was probably near fifty degrees, Emmy wasn’t sure how to respond to that so offered only, “It’s a beautiful day. I did not sleep well last night at all,” she slanted a look toward Connor. “I thought the cool breeze would be refreshing. What have you guys been up to today?”
Ian looked uncomfortable with the question. “We took a ride up to one of our neighbors this afternoon.”
He glanced uncertainly at Connor who showed no hesitation in responding. “I had been courting the daughter of one our neighbors and thought it fitting to give them the courtesy of a personal visit to inform them of your return before they heard of it through the gossip mills.”
Emmy stared at him as the word sunk in. “Courting? As in dating?”
“I do not know this word ‘dating’ you use, but aye, courting,” Connor gave her a hard look. “I was considering marrying again…until you returned, of course.”
Emmy arched a brow. “Of course. I’m not much of a legal mind,” she offered, “but wouldn’t that be considered bigamy?”
“It has been widely accepted for some time, my dear,” Connor clarified, “that you had met with some misfortune over the past ten years since no one had seen or heard from you in all that time. None of the investigators we had hired had been able to find signs of you. I myself had traveled to the Americas twice in search of you.”
“I’m not…”
Connor waved his hand cutting her denial short. “I do not wish to hear your arguments and denials again today.”
“Maybe I wish to voice them!” Emmy countered, hands on her hips ready to do battle.
“Perhaps I should leave you to your argument,” Ian turned away leading his horse.
Emmy glared at Connor but turned to Ian. “Actually Ian, I’d like to talk to you about something, if you have a moment.”
“To me?”
“Yes, a little something has come up with Dory.”
“She’s well?” he asked anxiously. “Nothing has happened?”
“She’s fine,” she assured him quickly. The look of panic on his face said a great deal. Clearly he cared deeply for his wife which would be useful since he would be more likely to sacrifice for her wellbeing. “Just something else, if you don’t mind a quick walk together?”
“Not at all,” he looked relieved and offered his arm to Emmy.
“Shoo, Mr. Cranky-Pants,” Emmy waved off Connor with a frown as he scowled down at them. “We don’t need any of your negative vibes around right now.”
“Cranky-Pants?” Connor echoed with a haughtily raised brow.
“Just go!” She made little shooing motions with her hands. “Go!” He shrugged and remounted in a smooth motion that impressed Emmy. Taking the reins for Ian’s mount, he spurred them into motion back to the castle.
Connor wondered what had just happened. He had not intended to fight with Heather today. The visit to the neighboring estate had been an uncomfortable one and he had been awash with irritation over that unpleasant duty on the entire ride back to Duart. And there had been Heather. Walking along the coast, looking lovely beyond belief in the afternoon sun with her cheeks and nose reddened by the cold winds. She had looked so relaxed and comfortable…cheerful that she had immediately rubbed him the wrong way. Why should this be so easy for her when she was turning his life upside down? She did not seem to care that she had interrupted the course of his life with her return at all. And then to deny her identity once again! It had been the last straw. Connor galloped back toward the castle aware that Heather and Ian’s eyes followed him along the way. He fumed silently once again. And what were negative vibes?
Chapter 12
“What are negative vibes?” Ian asked unable to contain his curiosity as they turned to stroll farther north.
“You know,” Emmy said waving her hand, “his nasty little habit of bringing everything down to a fight when others just want to go happily along their way.”
“You have developed an interesting way of speech in your absence,” he noted. “It is most curious.”
“Let’s not have you take up his fight right now, okay?”
“He likes you, did you know?” Ian asked allowing the subject to change.
Her heart raced like a schoolgirl at the possibility though her mind
