At his one word, the bustle in the kitchen ceased. Phoebe didn’t have to glance at Winnie to confirm her intense gaze. Phoebe groaned inwardly as the earl made his way past the women who stared at him with unabashed curiosity.
He reached for Phoebe’s hand. “Why so formal, my dear, we're old friends, aren’t we?” His brown eyes held hers as he pressed a kiss to the tips of her fingers. Releasing her, he looked at Winnie. “Winnie, you grow lovelier each time I see you.”
“Off with you, you scoundrel.” She waved him away and turned her attention to the batter she’d been stirring.
Phoebe wasn’t taken in by the old housekeeper’s casual manner, but faced the earl when he said to her, “I take it you’ve had a bit of an adventure?”
“That is one way of putting it, my lord.”
He grinned. “That bad?”
“It has been…interesting.”
“Kiernan does have a way of livening things up.”
The activity in the kitchen resumed at a slow pace.
Phoebe inclined her head and murmured, “Again, my lord, aptly put.”
He burst out laughing and she groaned inwardly when the women stopped work altogether.
“Forgive me,” the earl said. “This is my doing. I received Kiernan’s note the day after the ball. I assumed he would realize his mistake, and gave it no further thought.”
“Don't blame yourself. He was the one, after all, who…detained me. How did you discover the truth?” she asked, but added before he could reply, “My uncle, has he raised a fuss?”
“Not to my knowledge. It was the letter from Kiernan asking why I hadn't come to Brahan Seer that told me of my error. It wasn’t until the ride here that I began to sort things out. Please, my dear—" his lip twitched"—I—" His body shook with silent laughter, and Phoebe scowled.
“I know,” he said. “Abominable of me.” He wiped an eye with a forefinger. “But the look you must have had on your face when you found yourself in the clutches of the Marquess of Ashlund." Phoebe gasped, and his sputters of laughter abruptly ended. “What is it—Lord.” His eyes widened with even more hilarity. “Don't tell me you didn’t know?”
“I did not.”
She recalled the shout she'd heard when the men had burst in upon Alan Hay and his men. “Lay down your weapons in the name of the Marquess of Ashlund!” She groaned and reached for the chair, then remembered it lay on the floor.
“By heavens, when it becomes known the Marquess of Ashlund held me against my will—”
“Against your will?” Winnie interjected. “You can leave any time you like.”
“He brought me here against my wishes,” Phoebe replied coldly. “The fact that he thought I was Heddy won't signify in the eyes of polite society—my God, what a mess.”
Winnie pinned Phoebe with an impatient stare. “Does anyone in England have to know what happened?”
"Good question,” Lord Stoneleigh said. "Since your family hasn't sounded the alarm, we may yet avoid a scandal."
"I'm at a loss to understand why my uncle hasn't created a fuss."
"I can't say," the earl replied. "But I heard nothing, so perhaps no one in England knows."
“Everyone here knows.” She waved her hand, indicating her surroundings.
“You needn't worry about anyone at Brahan Seer,” Winnie said. “We don't associate with English gentry.”
“There are those at the inn,” Phoebe said.
“The Glaistig Uain?” he asked. When she nodded, he said, “Is it possible to say you were visiting someone?”
“I don't know. I can't understand why my uncle hasn't searched for me.”
“I wish Kiernan hadn't left," he said. “Oh, Phoebe,” he added with genuine feeling, “this is my fault. Had I not complained to Kiernan…”
“You couldn't know that His Lordship would concoct such a ridiculous scheme. He should clear up the mess, but that is impossible.”
“True,” Lord Stoneleigh agreed. “Even if he were here, he's the last person you want to be associated with you, at this point.”
“Sir,” Phoebe said, “you have no idea.”
*****
Lord Briarden had long ago instructed her to be a lady of society. What would he think once he knew that by obeying his orders, she'd gotten herself mistaken for Lord Stoneleigh's mistress, then whisked off to the Scottish Highlands?
"You're sure you want to leave today?" Lord Stoneleigh asked as they walked along the village lane on their way to the stables.
Phoebe nodded. "I know we'll only make the Green Lady Inn, but I am anxious to reach London as soon as possible. If there is any chance I can head off a scandal, I must try."
"Of course," he said. "And once we reach the inn, I'll procure a maid to travel with us the rest of the way. It wouldn't do to escape one scandal only to be foisted by our innocent trip home."
"Thank you, my lord. I am deeply grateful."
They rounded the corner and the burnt cottages came into view.
"Good God." He stopped.
"It's beyond comprehension, isn't it? she asked.
They started forward again. “What started the fire?” He lifted his hand to shield his eyes against the afternoon sun.
“I don't know. I'm sure His Lordship will insist upon a full investigation.