Twenty-Nine

Catherine kicked at her blankets, frustrated and angry. It was clear she was no seductress. Rather than bending to her will and acknowledging what was between them, Jamie had managed her expertly, playing her body like an instrument, diverting her anger and her questions, silencing her with skilled caresses, and withdrawing when she’d broken his rules. She hadn’t meant to. It was something she’d blurted out in the heat of passion—but it should have delighted him, not made him recoil. I should leave. I’m looking for something that exists only in my imagination, and he’s surely embarked on an adventure that could bring us all down.

Maire brought her breakfast on a tray, and with it, a note.

Dearest Catherine,

I’m sorry to leave you this way again. I fear as you read this you’re mightily annoyed. I meant to discuss it with you last night, but things got out of hand. I’m throwing my support behind William, and the time to act is now. I know you think my motives mercenary and selfish, and I know you’ll not approve, but I’ve been to war too often, and if any action of mine might help avert another, I feel duty bound to try. I think of you, and Sullivan and his family, even as I make my decision, and I’ll do all I can to keep you safe. I pray you understand. I shall return within the month.

I do have feelings for you, Catherine. It’s not something to which I’m accustomed. I don’t know what to call them. I don’t know if I want them, though they assail me whether I wish them to or not. I promise to make every effort to resolve them upon my return.

If things don’t go as planned, I wish you to return to London immediately. Tell them I abducted you so I might keep your inheritance, and you took your first opportunity to escape. You’re young, wealthy, and beautiful, and no one will question you too harshly. You’ll know what to do for the O’Sullivans. I’ve made arrangements so my Irish lands and properties will pass to Kieran’s heir, if only he can get one. Enlist Granny O and marry your girl to him. They seem fond of one another. Besides you, he and his kin are the closest thing to family that I have. I count on you for this, Catherine, and I know my trust is well-placed. I appreciate your friendship and all your kindnesses to me more than you can imagine. Wait for me, please. I’ll return as soon as I’m able.

Your husband,

James Sinclair

“Damn him to hell and back again!” She crumpled the note and hurled it against the wall, then scrambled from her bed to retrieve it, and threw it into the fire. Fool! Imbecile! Putting his treason on paper! They were isolated and forgotten, fortified and well stocked. Why couldn’t he leave well enough alone? Why not wait for events to transpire and align himself after? What Jamie needed to do was take care of his own. She was done with waiting and wringing her hands as events overtook her. She needed to know exactly what he planned so she’d be in a position to deal with it. Like it or not, they were going to have a serious talk.

She was on the road early the next morning, accompanied by two well-armed retainers. They said clothes made the man. She wasn’t entirely sure it was true, but back in the saddle, back in her breeches and boots, with her sword on her hip, a carbine slung over her back, and two pistols holstered on her saddle, she felt confident, capable, and in control of her world in a way she hadn’t for weeks.