Part 2 (2/2)
”We may not know the names, but we are not strangers. You and I could never be that.” Aaron was surprised by his reaction to this blonde beauty. His usual preference was for dark hair and eyes. But something about this woman drew him like the sea drew a sailor.
”You are too forward, sir. Allow me to pa.s.s.”
Aaron laughed, then reached down with no warning to lift her onto the horse in front of him. ”There. That is much better, is it not?”
”No!” she said, struggling to free herself. ”You are mad!” she declared. ”Release me. If I am seen-”
”You do not care what others think. I can tell that. We are alike in that way.”
”Let me down!!”
”Ah, spirited as well. I like that in a woman. Allow me to take you to your destination. Such a lovely woman should not be walking alone on a deserted road.”
”I can take care of myself, sir. I will say it only once more: Release me.”
”When we reach your destination,” he said with a smile, trying to charm her out of her anger. ”Come now. The sooner you tell me which direction, the sooner you will be rid of my company.”
With a deep sigh of aggravation, Miranda clenched her jaw. ”That way.”
”It truly troubled you to give in, did it not? We will go.” He set the horse in motion, and shortly they came to the house he knew was Judah Zachary's. Aaron slid from the saddle, then lifted the girl down. ”You were coming to this house?” he asked, his eyes narrowed as they looked at her.
”Yes,” she said, gathering her skirts to run inside. ”I must go before -”
Aaron put a hand on her arm to detain her. ”Before what?”
The door of the house opened, and a tall, dark figure came down the path. He didn't raise his voice, but Miranda could hear the leashed fury. ”Miranda.”
”Judah. I was - just going inside.” The look he sent the other man set warning bells off inside her head.
Aaron leaned against the gate. ”h.e.l.lo, Zachary.”
”Forsythe.”
Miranda's blue eyes grew wide. ”You are - Captain Forsythe?'
He bowed, humor back in his hazel eyes. ”Captain Aaron Forsythe, at your service, Mistress Miranda.” He could easily read the confusion in those blue eyes before she turned and dashed into the house. ”She's very beautiful, Zachary. Even more so than Elsbeth. Do you plan the same fate for her?” All trace of humor had vanished.
”I explained that it was Elsbeth's decision, Forsythe. I did not force her to partic.i.p.ate in that ceremony. She wanted to -”
”Because she knew it was what you wanted her to do.”
”She loved me.”
”It was not love, Judah. It was fear. As well as the promises you made to her. Did you receive my message?”
Judah blinked, temporarily startled by the change of subject. ”The doll? Yes. I received it. A rather - crude warning.”
”But effective?”
Judah ignored his question. ”How long will you be in Bedford?
Aaron swung into the saddle. ”As long as it takes for my sister to rest in peace, Judah. Tell Miranda that I will be seeing her.” He spurred his horse into a gallop.
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