Tempest Heart - Paula Quinn Page 0,57

What would the earl say when he saw him? What about Rose? She knew nothing of what he had done. Neill didn’t want to tell her. Still, he was excited to see her again. He would keep the truth away from her lest she hate him.

He smiled as an autumn breeze swept over him and brought with it the scents of pine and rotting leaves.

Soon, he would be inside, thanks to an old friend who lived here and kept eyes on Rose for him.

Soon, they would be reunited. He couldn’t wait.

Rose drew in a deep breath as she entered the castle. She felt winded, as if she had been the one running instead of her horse. As they had raced across the ground, she wished her horse had wings. She wanted to fly over the walls and be free.

It was always the same view. Nothing ever changed.

But now, Tristan was somewhere on the other side. He was alive and he’d asked for her to go to the tower so she could see him, and he could see her. She smiled for the hundredth time thinking about it. Oh, how she missed him. When would she see him again? When he came for her father?

She entered the great hall and saw Captain Harper sitting alone. It wasn’t an unfamiliar sight. There hadn’t been many people in the castle in six years. She’d seen Mr. Cavanaugh in the tower and Mr. Watley practicing behind the kitchen.

She hadn’t spoken to the captain since last night when he accused her of being fooled by Tristan.

As she grew nearer, he stood up. She smiled. “What are you doing here this early? Is Mary with you?”

“No, she is asleep in the cottage,” he told her. “I was hoping to have a word with you about what we are to do about MacPherson.”

She sat down on a bench at his table. “I’m going to help prove my father is innocent.”

He nodded but said nothing and sat beside her.

“Captain, I hope you and Tristan have a chance to—”

The doors to the great hall burst open and Steven, the stableman, rushed inside, looking around for her father. When he didn’t find him, his frightened gaze fell on the captain.

“I was bringin’ oot the horses to graze and that is when I saw him!” Steven said, rushing to him.

“Who?” Captain Harper asked, beginning to rise from his seat again.

“I do not know him, Captain. He is a stranger.”

Rose bolted to her feet. It was Tristan. She rushed out of the great hall. Where was her father? She scanned her gaze over the halls as she reached for the front doors. She didn’t see him. She turned around slightly to ask William, opening one of the doors at the same time.

The captain looked outside over her shoulder and his expression turned to one of horror.

Rose heard a loud thump behind her. She began to turn to look but the captain was there, stopping her by pulling her close and kicking the door shut.

“What?” she demanded. “What was it?”

“Cavanaugh falling from the tower with an arrow in his chest.”

“No!” Rose cried out. Oh, please no! Why would Tristan attack? She wanted to run outside and scream at him! Why would he? She paled. “Mr. Watley is outside.”

The captain swore and bolted the door. What was he doing?

“I cannot risk him getting in here to you,” he exclaimed as if hearing her thoughts.

She shook her head. “He will not hurt me.”

“He will try to take you. I cannot let him do that to your father. Especially after he has done this.”

“Captain…William, please. Let me speak to him.”

“No. Go to your chambers and stay there until I come for you.”

“No, I—”

“You will do as I say, Lady. I beg you.”

It occurred to her that she could go up to the turret and look out. Perhaps she might see him.

She did as the captain commanded and went straight to the turret stairs beyond her chamber door. She hurried up the narrow stone stairwell and stepped out onto the narrow parapet unused for the last six years.

She looked out over the yards and saw a movement where she had seen Mr. Watley practicing. She was about to call out. She wouldn’t let Tristan—her skin went cold as a man with pale hair tied low on his nape stepped into her full view. No! It couldn’t be! Her father had told her that Neill had gone back to Wales and was likely never coming back. But…was that