It was him! The man who had talked to her that morning in Hyde Park. It was his voice that finally prodded her memory. The tone was brusque, and yet held an undercurrent of gentleness that soothed her. What was he doing here in Cornwall?
“Miss Lina? Are you all right?”
“Li-Na,” she corrected without thought. “And I am well, thank you.” She wasn’t well. She’d just now realized that he must have arranged this. Somehow he’d found her and brought her here, his home in remote Cornwall!
Why? Fear choked her. Meanwhile, he kept talking as if she weren’t poised between running like a terrified rabbit and standing her ground for whatever defense she could muster. “I’m Lord Daniel,” he said as he shut the door behind him. “What are you doing out here? Didn’t Mrs. Hocking show you your room?”
“She did, my lord.” How hard to push those words out as if she weren’t terrified.
He straightened his back loud enough that it cracked. “Is everything acceptable? Did she get you something to eat? Was your bedding fresh?”
His questions came in rapid fire, somehow calming her. It was that undertone, she realized. Nothing in his body or tone suggested violence. If anything, he was being protective of her. That realization allowed her to answer with some semblance of calm.
“Everything is in order, my lord.”
He nodded as he gestured with the light. “It isn’t safe to wander about alone, especially after dark. Were you looking for me?”
“No, my lord.”
He grunted. “Please stop milording me. Just answer my questions straight. Makes thing easier.”
“Yes my—” She cut off her last word.
“Right. Anything in the larder? I’m famished. All the vicar’s got is weak tea and strong ale.”
He didn’t wait for an answer but headed to the kitchen, his lantern swinging ahead of him. She followed a few steps behind, her eyes trained to the movement in his arms, the shift in his hips, and the length of his stride. She wanted to be able to run if she needed to, but he headed on as if he barely remembered she was there. And yet his conversation continued as if it were directed at her.
“My brother had nothing but praises for the vicar. Said he was young and had bright ideas. I don’t find nearing fifty to be young, and his bright ideas are about livestock. Admirable thing to know about pigs and sheep. I’m sure it helps in the parish. But that’s not what I wanted to talk about. So what does he do? Ply me with ale while he nods and goes, hmmmm. What does that mean, I ask you? A man who just says, hmmmm? I had a dog who did that, too. Hmmmm. Didn’t mean any more then except maybe, rub my belly, please.” He set the lantern down on a large table in the middle of the kitchen. His gaze grew distant as he looked out a window at the dark night outside. “I miss that dog,” he said.
She felt her shoulders relax. Men who talked about their dogs were usually safe.
He rubbed a hand over his face. “My apologies, Miss Lina. I’m a bit addled and a lot annoyed.” He grabbed a basket set in the middle of the table and pulled it open. In it sat a meat pie and hard cheese. “Excellent, Mrs. Hocking.” He lifted the meat pie and grinned. “She makes the best in Cornwall. I’m happy to share.”
Li-Na shook her head. “Mrs. Hocking left me a basket.”
“After she ate half of it,” he groused. “Come on, come on,” he said gesturing her to sit. “I’ve plenty here.”
She couldn’t eat. In truth, she hadn’t finished what had been in her basket. She cocked her head as if listening. “I think I hear your horse. I’ll go check on him.” She flashed him a smile. “Don’t worry. I’m very experienced with horses.”
She wasn’t, though she knew the raw basics. Her plan was to bed down for the night with the horse. Much safer than spending the night caged in with this very large man. She was well aware that the only way to leave her room wasthroughhis.
He turned to listen, his mouth pursed. “I don’t hear anything.”
“Best if I check—”
“Don’t be ridiculous. He’s a spoiled horse who will settle when he realizes he has no choice. And I wouldn’t send you out anyway. What kind of man would I be to send a guest into the dark to deal with that cantankerous beast?” He groaned as he pushed to his feet. “Are you sure you heard him?” he pressed. “All I can hear is the wind.”
Alarm shot through her. What would happen if he realized she’d lied about the sound? How angry would he be? “Oh, of course. Probably the wind,” she said. “Please sit back down, my lord. I’m sure I imagined it.”
He looked at her, his brows drawn down in confusion. She stayed as still as she could with an apologetic, wide eyed expression on her face. He shook his head.
“Damn horse,” he muttered. “Wait here. I’ll be right back.” He gestured about the kitchen. “Find something to eat or drink. Work will come early and Mrs. Hocking won’t get here until noon.”
She nodded. What else could she do? She crept behind him, watching silently as he muttered and grumbled his way out the door. Then she peered through a window into the dark courtyard to watch him. She didn’t see much of anything. His lantern bobbed in the dark until it was out of view.
She waited while her heart beat painfully in her throat, and she cursed Mrs. Dove-Lyon for sending her here. What kind of man let her run away in Hyde Park but then arranged to have her at his castle in Cornwall? Who was he? What did he want from her?
He was coming back. The lantern bobbed and weaved as he lumbered back. A big man, a windy night, and no one around for miles to hear her if she screamed.