"She will be sent to Mainecroft Hall."
Brand's eyebrow rose.
The man laughed. "I am friend enough to know you would wish her close."
"I am her protector," Brand defended. He paused. Why was he offering excuses?
"Of course. To think otherwise might be treason, would it not?"
"Stephen?" He warned.
"Forgive me." The other man surrendered. "I will send them along now and we shall head to the office." He raced up the plank.
Brand watched his foreman approach his wife. Mrs Rose's face lit up at something Stephen said. It was a smile he had come to notice belonged only to her husband. Suddenly, he felt foolish. What importance was he according a simple smile?
Involuntarily, his eyes went to Madelyn. She stood inches away from the couple, smiling at them. He almost smiled. She had shared her smile with him too, ones even decorated with her dimples. He suddenly wished for it now.
