“Keep yehr hood up,” the maid called as I dashed out the door with Ailish close on my heels. “Or that damp hair will be the death o’ yeh.”
A dark laugh scraped over my throat. With everything this day could hold, a head cold seemed the least of my worries.
Fresh sea air flooded my nose when we stepped from the inn. Circling gulls screeched overhead. The breeze had turned brisk since we first arrived in Wexford, ruffling the edges of my woolen cloak, and I glanced to the east to see what appeared to be the beginnings of a storm blowing in from the Irish Sea.
Henry was already waiting with two horses on the narrow lane. I started toward him, stopping to give way to a man who was pushing a cart filled with a grisly cargo of fish heads and innards. Several dogs followed in the man’s wake, watchful for any spills. Once the odd procession passed, I continued the remaining distance, with Ailish a mere step from my side.
Henry had retied the leather strand in his hair, and with his clothing returned to proper order, only the dark expression remained as evidence of our last encounter.
My news bubbled straight to the surface. “Mr. Roth has been discovered outside of Wexford. He’ll be here tonight, along with Miss Rose and Lord Stroud.”
From his quick look of understanding, Henry had also heard the rumor of three English riders and was just now attaching them to their proper names. “When did the other two join your party?”
“At Branbury, when Mr. Roth and I stopped to have a horse reshod.”
A muscle ticked in Henry’s jaw. “How long did you travel with Lord Stroud?”
“Until we were separated while crossing the Irish Sea.” I gulped at the sight of murder on Henry’s face. “He pledged his honor in our hunt for Nora.”
“And I pledged to cleave him from neck to navel if he so much as looked at you again.”
No doubt Julian’s brutal attack near the river and subsequent profession of love would also qualify as cleaving offenses. “Miss Rose insisted he join us, and I couldn’t well turn him away because of a past grudge.”
Henry’s eyes bored into mine. “Tell me, did he behave himself?”
A lie perched on my lips. “As you would expect,” I said instead, opting for the vaguest truth.
“What does that mean?”
“He vowed to run the English from Ireland if I would consider his proposals.” My expression remained stolid despite the sheer absurdity of the words.
Henry shook his head in disbelief. “When I first met Lord Stroud, he spoke of very little other than plants.” He scrubbed a hand over his forehead. “It makes sense now considering his gift, but I never suspected he harbored a secret death wish.”
I placed a hand on his arm. “You’re not going to hurt him.”
“Of course not,” he agreed all too readily. “I’m going to kill him.”
“Please, Henry. The man is deluded and deserves pity more than anger. We need him now, but once this is over, we can sever all ties if that’s what it takes to tame his fantasies.” Lowering my voice, I gave him a coy smile. “Besides, I’ll be your wife tomorrow. What better way to put his hopes to rest.”
Henry considered my reasoning. “Lord Stroud is safe for now, but know that my patience has worn thin.” Without pursuing the matter further, he glanced from me to Ailish, then back to me. “Who is the child?”
Having dodged the first cannonball, I moved to the second. “A friend of mine, and she’s not a child.”
“Small for me age is all. Turned sixteen on Samhain last.”
I waved a hand between them. “Ailish O’Bearra, meet Lord Fitzalan.”
Ailish bobbed a coltish curtsey as Henry dipped his head. “Delighted,” he said with a steely edge before shifting his gaze to me. “A private word if you please, Selah.”
“There’s no need for secrecy. Ailish is well acquainted with Deri and knows of someone nearby who may be able to tell us her whereabouts.”
Henry eyed the girl with increased scrutiny. “And how did Miss O’Bearra come to know so much?”
The pointed question was addressed to Ailish. She swallowed hard and stared up at Henry, who was towering like a giant storm cloud. Rather than answering, she inched closer to me until our arms touched. I shuddered from a sudden chill, and we both stepped away in a hurry. Henry’s brows pushed together, his expression growing even darker. Ailish squeaked and stepped back toward the inn this time.
“Stop glowering, Henry, or you’ll scare the girl witless.”
“I am not glowering,” he protested.
“You are, too.” I glanced over my shoulder at Ailish. “You’ve nothing to worry about. His lordship’s bark is much worse than his bite.”
“Oh, my bite is infinitely worse—” Henry began, when I held up a hand to interrupt.
“Please just believe me for now, and I promise to explain everything on the road.” I glanced at the mare and stallion behind him. “We’ll need another horse though.” This last request earned a stony look.
“I’ll strip the saddle and you two ladies can ride together.”