Page 37 of Indecently Daring

“Well, well. Harry Martin,” Kilbane replied, something glittering in those strange violet eyes. “How do you do?”

Kilbane’s horse whickered, tossing his head and stamping.

“My lord,” Harry said, his voice somewhat unsteady as he gave a sharp nod of recognition. “I am quite well.”

Kilbane looked him over with a critical eye. “You’re alive, which is something of a surprise, I’m bound to say.”

The vicar said nothing in response, but tension sang through him. The peculiar moment stretched out until he cleared his throat, finding his voice again. “How… How is he?”

At first, Alana didn’t understand to whom he referred, but then realised he was gesturing to Kilbane’s horse.

The marquess reached down and patted the horse’s neck. “In excellent health, as you see.”

The horse walked to the vicar. Kilbane allowed it, and Alana watched as Reverend Martin stroked the great beast’s head. The horse closed his eyes and made a soft huffing sound.

“Pirate,” Reverend Martin whispered, pressing his forehead against the horse’s and closed his eyes. “It’s good to see you, old fellow.”

“A man of the cloth,” Kilbane said, shaking his head in dismay. “I never would have believed it. Out of the frying pan and… neatly avoiding the fire? A dirty trick to play on old Beelzebub.”

Reverend Martin shot the marquess an unreadable look and straightened reluctantly, giving the horse’s soft muzzle one last caress. He turned to Alana.

“I will escort you home, ladies.”

“You will not!” Alana shot back.

“Oh, I think I will.” He gave her a warning glare that suggested she not fight him on this and took hold of the pony’s bridle. “Walk on,” he said, making a soft clicking sound.

“Goodbye, my lord,” Cat said to Kilbane as they passed him. “Until next time.”

Kilbane ignored her, instead turning to Reverend Martin with a wry smile.

“Well done.”

He touched a black-gloved finger to his hat before carrying on his way.

“What did he mean by that?” Alana asked.

“No idea,” Reverend Martin replied blandly. “Kilbane says a lot of things for his own amusement.”

“That didn’t seem very amusing.”

“He often isn’t.”

Alana scowled. “It sounded sincere to me.”

“He is sincere a lot of the time, you know,” Cat added. “Only people expect the worst of him, so they think he’s being sarcastic or trying to cause trouble, when if they’d only listen to his words and not his tone, they’d realise he’s just telling the truth.”

Reverend Martin’s gaze sharpened upon Cat. “You seem to know a deal about him, Lady Catherine.”

Cat shrugged. “I know him a little, but I’m also more observant than most. For instance, Pirate was your horse, and Kilbane seemed surprised to see you. In fact, he seemed surprised that you were even alive. He congratulated you on the fact, actually.”

“Cat!” Alana said, suddenly aware that Reverend Martin might have good reason for not wanting such information to be common knowledge.

She suspected Cat realised it too in that moment, for she turned rather pink, adding hurriedly, “Not that it’s any of my affair. Just an illustration, you understand, and I’m no gossip. I shan’t say anything about anything.”

“Stay away from Kilbane, my lady,” Reverend Martin said, his tone urgent. “Whilst there is much truth in your observations, association with him will do you no good.”

“Surely a vicar should invite any opportunity to save a lost soul and applaud anyone who attempts it themselves. Didn’t the good Samaritan have something to say about it?” Cat demanded, her silver eyes flashing sparks that threatened trouble.