Free Fire Raven by Patricia McAllister Page A

in a roundabout way. “Do you live alone, Morgan? Winnie said your mother is gone, and you mentioned your father once, yet I’ve not heard him spoken of around the household.”
    “He died five years ago. Aye, I live alone.”
    “I’m sorry. How painful it must have been for you.”
    Sensing Morgan’s mood had darkened for some reason, she added hastily, “At least you know who your family was. I’ve yet to remember mine. They must be frantic with worry.”
    “I’ve sent several of my staff out to question the locals about any recent shipwrecks. We should hear word soon. I’ve also sent a missive to the Earl of Cardiff, requesting his assistance in contacting the Eastland Company. Surely if a ship is missing, they have some record of it.”
    Kate nodded. She knew she was foolish to consider striking out on her own, blind and helpless as she was. Her cursed pride made her appear the fool, yet Morgan was kind enough not to remark upon it.
    She realized he had gone to great efforts on her behalf. She found she could not resent him for his earlier deceit, anymore than she might despise him for helping her now. It in his nature to be generous and forgiving. Winnie and the other servants all spoke of Morgan with great respect; she owed him as much herself.
    “Will you come back with me, Faeilean ?”
    She nodded at his question and slipped her arm through his. It was not so much surrender as a practical decision, Kate reasoned. He was looking out for her again; if there was anyone she trusted, it was Morgan. He had vowed to find her family for her. She knew he would. She wondered why she didn’t feel as enthusiastic as she should.
    They started to walk back to Falcon’s Lair, Morgan leading both her and his mount. Suddenly he stopped and stiffened. Kate heard a bevy of young voices on the road ahead of them. Children. They were laughing and jesting with each other, no doubt deliberately veering through all the mud puddles on their way home. They sounded happy, heading in her and Morgan’s direction.
    As the children neared, Kate sensed Morgan’s tense beside her. “What is it?” she asked him. “What’s wrong?”
    She heard one of the little girls scream. Soon the rest of the children joined in. Their feet splashed noisily through puddles, as they dashed across the couple’s path and disappeared into a nearby copse, shrieking all the way. They sounded terrified.
    Morgan grimaced. The timing for such an incident could not have been worse. One stout lad, older than the rest, decided to linger, in an obvious attempt to provoke him. The boy boldly eyed Morgan, then crossed himself just to be safe. The lad bent, snatched something from the ground, and hurled it at the adults, and ran.
    Kate flinched when the stone glanced off her skirts. She recoiled and clutched at Morgan’s arm. “What was that?”
    “One of the urchins just threw a rock at us,” he said.
    “Why?” She was shocked. “They sounded so happy until they saw us here, then — ”
    “Children are unpredictable little beasts sometimes.” Morgan cut her short. “Especially those of peasant stock. I’ve no end of trouble keeping them out of my fields.”
    Kate frowned and looked confused. Morgan realized his harsh tone didn’t belong to the man she knew. He was always tender with her.
    “Am I all covered with mud?” she asked.
    “No. Why?”
    “They screamed as if they’d seen the Devil himself crawl from a bog.” Kate shook her head and tried to laugh it off. “I fear there’s no other explanation. My muddy appearance must have frightened them, for some reason.”
    “Nonsense,” Morgan said, hurrying her along the path back to the keep. “They’re merely base little wretches without any manners. Now, let’s get you inside. ’Tis starting to rain again.”

    H ENRY L AWRENCE FROWNED AS he dismounted from the enclosed coach bearing his royal coat of arms. The Earl of Cardiff gave a dismissing wave to his driver. As the vehicle