p. She looked nervously around, and it was clear she had no desire to go in. She tucked he

ath, lass. You asked for a bath and food

him. “I asked for a horse and food. I’ve no need of your ho

I’ve sorted this entire matter out. If you have no wish for a bath, I’m s

r she bathed or not. That had been Alan’s idea, but didn’t a

but evidently decided restraint w

you follow the women upstai

th that he didn’t catch. His eyes narrowed. Th

only to see him running beh

n,” he

y over being kept from the wo

here

aunched himself toward Edward, and Edwa

his son again overwhelmed him. “You frightened ten years

shoulders and burrowed h

Papa. I

iggled to be set free. He hadn’t thought to see his son again, a

Alan, demanding answers from hi

red impatiently at Crispen. “He and the lass refused to tell me anything. The che

ked Crispen in the eye

ed in his green eyes. His lips twisted mutinously, and h

id stubbornly. “You said a W

lling you of things a Woods doesn’t do. Come, let’s sit in

Then he turned to Gannon. “Take your men and ride north to find Caleb.

rried away, shoutin

o the hall amid a chorus of cries and exclamations. Crispen was soundly hugged by every passing woman and sl

e next to him. Crispen hopped onto the benc

at happened,” E

at his hands, his

ently. “What else did I t

h,” Crispen sa

“Indeed. Now be

uck out to meet Uncle Alan. I thought I’d wait a

table at Crispen, but E

im con

ald soldiers took me and said he was going

t, Papa. It would shame you, and our clan can’t afford a rans

ald soldier, and his heart clenche

” Edward said quietly. “Now go on w

I didn’t know where I was. I tried to steal a horse from men

you?” Edwar

saved

d his impatienc

mfortably. “I can’t t

ted glances, and Alan raised one

en, what exactly

who she was,” Crispen bl

t else did

across the table, Alan smiled as he cau

d I wouldn’t te

ady saved you. How did she do this? Was she camping with the men you tr