Free The Heart of the Phoenix by Barbara Bettis Page B

ride with the best of your men.”
    With a grunt of impatience, Stephen reached out again. “This is no time to behave like a foolish female. Give me the damned reins so we can move.”
    Foolish female, was she? Well, she would prove her riding abilities. Evie touched her heels to the mare’s flanks. Before the words were out of his mouth, she was off, urging her horse in the direction the others rode. This kind of gallop was what she needed to clear away the ill-humor plaguing her. What would a few raindrops matter when she’d reach safety soon?
    Above the clatter of hooves and the clash of thunder, she heard Stephen curse. Evie faced into the wind and smiled.

Chapter Seven
    Stephen assessed the site as he galloped up and leaped to the ground. “Good,” he muttered, signaling to the others.
    The shelter William located was a dilapidated small manor, once fortified, now rubble. A dark hole gaped in the center of the curtain wall where the wooden gate had burned. Rock from the wall had fallen or been knocked out in places, although it remained intact toward the back of the enclosure.
    “See what you can find,” he ordered, but for the most part his men needed no directions. They moved with precision as a result of their years together.
    Below the remains of two large living chambers lay three rubble-filled storages areas, including one relatively clear space the guards soon made ready for the horses. Afterward, two of the men moved to clear a second, smaller one.
    A splash of color inside caught his eye. Evie. What in the fires of hell was she doing? She’d be in the way of the men and likely to get hurt. His anger burgeoned when she darted toward the third and smallest section.
    It lay directly beneath the entrance to the first floor and appeared to be filled with debris. From the darkened appearance of the stone surrounding the yawning hole, the wooden stairs had burned, along with the door. Any wooden outbuildings apparently had met the same fate.
    She paused, gazed up at the vacant, lonely dwelling, and shook her head. Her lower lip slipped between her teeth in the way he’d come to recognize. His anger ebbed and an unwilling softness washed over him. It was obvious she thought of the former occupants. So like the girl he remembered.
    But he had no time for reflection. Stephen ducked into the large storage chamber to find the pack horses and mounts secured. The men had done a good job settling the restless animals.
    “We won’t post guards,” he called to Macsen. “Make sure the men are accounted for.” He paused at his friend’s side. “What makes you smile so?”
    Macsen nodded. “You, my brother. You never seem happier than in an emergency.”
    What foolishness. Stephen flexed his shoulders and strode toward the second chamber, assessing the activity with a quick, encompassing glance. “William,” he called, “take my horse. I’ll see to the lady.” His head snapped around. “Where’s Davy?”
    Rising gusts whipped dirt and twigs across the open ground. Above the wail of the wind, he heard a screech. Holy hell. Were they under attack? He spun on his heel to locate the sound. Of course. The maid. It only wanted her foolishness. And there stood Evie, attempting to quiet her. The silly maid should be assisting her mistress, not the opposite. The girl dropped to the ground in a heap.
    “Lord, deliver me from the idiocy of women.” He tromped their way.
    ****
    Evie knelt beside Marie, who had collapsed in the face of the oncoming storm. The maid’s words garbled in a shrill whine. Storms, that must be it.
    “There’s nothing to fear.” Evie maintained a calm, reassuring manner. “See? We have shelter.” She took the maid’s hands, but Marie jerked away with another burst of tears.
    Evie sat back on her heels, at a loss for what to do next. The sound of boots hitting the earth could be heard above the wind. Of course. It had to be Stephen, come to demand she keep Marie quiet. She wanted to.