The Legend of a Rogue - Darcy Burke Page 0,21

as she came from the kitchen. She wiped her hands on her apron. “Do ye need something?”

“Yes, please. My aunt would like some tea.”

Carrie nodded. “Ye’re back from visiting Dougal, then?”

“I am.”

“Did ye get the story ye wanted?”

Not even close. Elspeth recalled her conversation with Carrie that morning. It seemed she might know Neil Kerr. Perhaps she had information that could help them find him. “Partially,” Elspeth answered. “I would love to speak with his brother.”

Carrie looked away, as she’d done that morning. She also fidgeted with her apron. “I dinna ken where he is.”

Elspeth hadn’t even asked, which made her wonder if Carrie did in fact know where Neil was. Perhaps if she knew Tavish wanted to help him, she might reveal his location. Before Elspeth could think of how to tell Carrie about Tavish, Carrie said she’d fetch the tea for Aunt Leah and took herself off.

Frowning after the redhead, Elspeth considered following her to the kitchen. Except the woman was nervous, perhaps even frightened. If she feared Neil would be captured, that would make sense.

Elspeth turned and went back toward the stairs. She wanted to tell Tavish what she’d learned. Perhaps together they could talk to Carrie.

But where was Tavish now? Pausing at the bottom of the stairs, Elspeth considered looking for him outside. Surely he’d come in by now? His room was on the second floor… She’d try there first.

After climbing two flights of stairs, she emerged onto a small landing. There were only two doors, one to her right and one straight ahead at the end of the narrow corridor. Which one was his?

Taking a deep breath, she went to the door on the right. She lifted her hand to knock, but didn’t. Looking at the positions of the doors and taking her knowledge of the inn’s layout into account, she surmised this room was probably about the same size as hers, whereas the one at the end of the corridor would be quite large. What if that wasn’t a single room at all, but a door to more rooms?

She didn’t have time to dither. She was going to try this chamber first. Before she could knock, the door creaked open. Tavish stood on the other side, his eyes widening with surprise. “Elspeth.”

She exhaled with relief. “This is your room.”

“It is indeed. I heard a creak outside the door and thought someone must be here. Come in.”

Elspeth swept inside and surveyed the chamber. There was a narrow bed and small table with a single chair situated in front of the hearth. The pitched roof and dormer window made the room seem cramped. “Do you have to crouch in here?”

“Somewhat. I mostly stick to the taller side of the room. It’s not as if I’ve spent much time here.”

“You could probably move downstairs. The inn isn’t full as it was last night.” In addition to the soldiers, a few other guests had left on horseback after breakfast.

“I considered that, but as I am not spending much time in here, I didn’t want to trouble Balthazar or Carrie.” He lifted a shoulder. “Besides, the room is rather cozy.”

She didn’t disagree, especially with the cheery fire, which actually made the chamber a touch warm. Or, she realized, that could be the result of his presence. That thrilling sensation she’d felt earlier when she’d been speaking to Aunt Leah returned far more intensely.

“What brings you up here?” he asked.

Elspeth blinked. Yes, she had a purpose here that didn’t involve beguilement. “I wanted to tell you about Carrie.”

A crease formed between his brows. “The serving maid?”

Elspeth nodded. “When I asked her how to find Mr. Kerr this morning, she seemed slightly agitated. I credited that to her concern for someone who was perhaps trying to evade capture. Then I just spoke with her again—she asked me if I’d found him and gotten my story—and she was as nervous as before. She said she didn’t know where Mr. Kerr’s brother is, but, and this is the really strange part, I didn’t even ask her if she knew.”

Tavish stroked his chin, his brows dipping pensively. “That certainly sounds like she might know where he is.”

“I had the sense she was afraid. Or worried. If she does know where Neil is, I don’t think she’ll reveal where he’s hiding.” Elspeth moved closer to where Tavish stood where the ceiling was tall enough to accommodate his height. “I thought perhaps we could persuade her to tell us if she knew you planned to help