Page 17 of The Beast

Then upon seeking his sister, he found out she and their parents had succumbed to a horrible illness. Too afraid to catch what they’d had; the others had allowed them to die.

If he’d been free, if only Duncan had come for him, he would have been able to help. He would have been there to protect his family, his wife, and child.

Yes, it wasn’t directly Duncan’s fault, he was not so bitter that he didn’t realize the crew that kidnapped him were the ones directly responsible. Ultimately, Farlan had dispensed his own justice. Killing them one by one. Waiting at the docks, taking his time to hunt them down, and ensuring they suffered before dying.

Those he didn’t personally kill, were dead by other means. Now he only had one left. One person he held directly responsible for keeping him from saving his own.

A bird cawed overhead, pulling Farlan from his musings, as he spotted a young lad tugging a goat toward the village he’d come from.

The boy ignored him until Farlan called to him. “Aye, lad. I have a coin for ye, if ye help me find a friend.”

“Sir?” The lad stopped and stared up at him.

“Do ye know where Duncan Ross lives?

The lad nodded eagerly; his gaze locked on the coin Farlan held up. “In the big house next to a loch.” He pointed in the direction he’d come from.

Farlan tossed the lad a coin. “Go on now.” The boy grinned up at him. “I can tell ye where the rest of the family live.”

At the words, Farlan’s breath hitched. It could be he was thinking of his revenge in the wrong manner. Taking what mattered from Duncan Ross first could be something far better than just killing the man.

“Where?”

The lad hesitated and Farlan dug out a pair of coins and tossed them at the lad. After picking them up the boy scratched his head.

“Past the big house in the next village.” He pointed. “That way.”

“No one must know we were alone together, we must ensure it,” Beatrice repeated as they neared the keep. “My sister will be mortified if she were to find out that I was gone overnight.”

Despite knowing nothing happened between them, Beatrice worried about how her sister would respond to knowing she’d done something so reckless. Goodness, sometimes she was appalled at her own behavior.

Duncan was quiet as he guided the horse. It was strange how despite the long stretches where he didn’t speak, she found herself understanding what he thought by the way he held his head or how he looked at her.

“I think my sister will be most cross. Hopefully, by the time she returns, there will be enough of a time span that no one will inform her about this.”

He gave her a look and she blew out a breath. “Yes, I know, it is wishful thinking on my part.”

The gates opened and upon entering, Ella and Caelan hurried from the front of the house to them.

“What happened?” Ella looked her over, no doubt noticing her crumpled dress and mussed hair. “Where did ye go?”

Stealing a glance at Duncan, Beatrice swallowed. “I went to speak to Duncan and upon my return, alone, I ended up having to find refuge for the night when the storm hit.”

Both Ella’s and Caelan’s eyes narrowed. It was obvious they didn’t believe one word she’d uttered. Except perhaps that she’d gone to speak to Duncan.

It was more obvious when Ella spoke again, each word pronounced slowly. “Ye allowed her to return unaccompanied?”

“Then why did ye arrive together?”

Duncan gave Beatrice a droll look, giving her the opportunity to continue with her story that would surely hit upon unbelieving ears.

She slumped and let out a breath remaining silent.

The brothers seemed to have a silent communication. Caelan took his brother’s appearance in, then slid a look to her.

Finally, he motioned to the front door. “We must speak.”

The great room was empty. It was too early for villagers to come and seek an audience. Then again, since Darach was gone, there wouldn’t be as many people coming.