and he let her lead him back to the coach. “I have an idea,” she said as they climbed back into his coach.
“I’m listening.”
“Either they did not reach Edinburgh before us, or they decided to go to Castle Kincade. I know that Brodie’s brothers are there, and neither of them would let Brodie keep your daughter. We shall send a letter to Castle Kincade straightaway and see if they went there before we make our next plans. In the meanwhile, the Lennox butler will hopefully write to us at my address should they arrive here.”
“You have a residence here?”
“My son does. A nice little house a few streets away. You and I shall go there and wait for some word.”
Jackson stared out the window, frowning as the evening shadows started to fall. “I hope she’s all right. It’s the uncertainty that has me worried.”
Jane leaned across the coach and placed a hand on his. “You will find her. We will,” she said. “I promise you.”
He turned his palm over and twined his fingers with hers. He hated himself for wanting to pull Jane into his arms when his sole focus should have been on his daughter’s safety.
I’m a terrible man and an even worse father.
14
Lydia woke stiff and weary, her arm aching. She moved and then stilled as she realized she was completely naked. Memories came back to her in bits and pieces, but one thing was startlingly clear: she’d been completely naked last night and had made love with Brodie.
She shivered—not from embarrassment, but from the delicious memory of the overpowering pleasure that she’d shared with him.
That night had been infinitely more wonderful than she’d ever imagined it could be. The way her body had fit to his, how she’d felt as though she were a part of him and he of her. It had been incredible. She rolled over in bed, wishing to cuddle against him, but she found his spot empty. She swept a hand over the other pillow. A hint of warmth still lingered there, which meant he’d only recently left. It made her strangely giddy to think that he’d spent the night beside her. She buried her face in his pillow, breathing in the remnants of his scent.
Then she lay on her back and stared up at the ceiling. She was still lost in silly daydreams when the door opened and Fanny appeared.
“How are you feeling, miss?” the maid asked.
“Better. A little sore, though. My arm, I mean.” She sat up, keeping the bedclothes pulled up around her body. “Do you know where Mr. Kincade is?”
Fanny retrieved bits of clothing from the floor. “Yes, he’s downstairs with Mr. Lennox. They both wished to check on the horses after last night, to make sure no one stole them. After those brigands kidnapped you, he said he would be surprised if they didn’t have men here who would steal their horses during the night.”
“Oh dear, I hadn’t thought of that.” Lydia forced herself out of bed. She and Fanny searched for clean gowns in her trunk.
“Well, what about this one?” Fanny held up a fine bright-orange gown that had a blue silk sash and capped sleeves. Rosettes of white were patterned on the hem, but other than that, the gown’s bold colors needed no additional ornamentation. She and the maid shared a smile.
“Excellent choice, Fanny.”
Half an hour later, Lydia was dressed and ready to leave. As she entered the taproom, she glanced about. A tall, thin man was working at the bar, and he snapped his fingers at a maid, who bustled over to Lydia to see if she needed anything.
“What do you have for breakfast?”
“Just porridge, miss,” the girl said with a little embarrassment.
“That would be fine, thank you.” She sat alone in the room, wondering when the men would return from the stables and whether they had eaten already.
She was halfway through her porridge by the time they came in. Rafe and Brodie were laughing about something, and Lydia’s stomach fluttered with excitement. Brodie seemed so happy and relaxed. He really was the most handsome man she’d ever seen, and his easy smile just now only deepened that belief.
Rafe, however, spotted her first. “Ah! Morning, kitten.”
“Good morning, Mr. Lennox.” She glanced between the two of them as they joined her at the table. Brodie’s smile faded a little as he sat down beside her, but he didn’t look angry.
“How is your arm?” he asked.
“A little sore. Fanny helped me clean and bandage it.”
“Good. I’m glad