Chapter Twenty-Two
“Stay inside the carriage,” Evelyn said, piercing Cat with her fiercest glare. “I don’t want to have to get you out of here, too.”
Cat’s face pinched in mutiny, but she didn’t deny the logic in remaining behind. James opened the door, and Evelyn put her hand in his to step out. Scarlet slid over on the seat to follow, holding up a hand when Evelyn turned to her.
“Strength in numbers, sister,” Scarlet said.
Evelyn huffed softly but let James help her down. In their haste to leave, she hadn’t had time to don a fashionable dress. In fact, the dress she wore had bilberry smeared across the back. At least she’d rewound her hair into a knot at her nape.
James squeezed her fingers. “I will come with you. I have my musket.”
She smiled confidently at him. “We will be fine. These are Englishmen, not our enemy.”
One of his gray eyebrows rose, silently questioning her statement.
A central square was surrounded by wooden barracks. Three lines of men stood at attention with their muskets on their shoulders. A guard tower soared above the tree line off to the left where a uniformed soldier watched. She could feel his stare and lifted her chin. Stares didn’t bother her. She’d survived thundering and piercing stares from her father. One thing Lord Benjamin Worthington had taught his daughter was how to stand before a noose without showing any outward sign of concern.
A soldier stepped from a two-story rectangular building, which backed up to the forest on the right. The English flag snapped in the breeze on top. He wore a brightly colored uniform and a smile across his clean-shaven, young face. “Hello,” he said, striding over. He bowed his head in greeting. “I am Ensign Morris. Are you in need of assistance?”
“Thank you, yes,” Evelyn said and tipped her head forward in greeting. “I am Lady Evelyn Worthington, and this is my sister, Lady Scarlet.”
“The ladies of the Highland Roses Parish School,” he said, his smile fading. “Is there trouble at Finlarig?”
“Yes. I would speak with Captain Cross about the abduction of one of my young students, just this morning.”
“Good Lord,” Ensign Morris said, his eyes widening. “I will call a group together to retrieve the girl.”
“Wonderful,” Evelyn said smoothly. “Her name is Isabel Campbell, and she was taken, without her consent, by your Lieutenant Marcus Burdock.”
“Lieutenant Burdock?” the ensign said, his face hardening. Did he think she lied?
Evelyn drew herself up in her most regal manner, spine straight as a needle, chin tipped high so that her gaze looked down on the man even though he was nearly a foot taller than she. “Yes, and I would speak with Captain Cross immediately about the man’s villainous ways and the recovery of my charge.”
The door behind the ensign opened, and Captain Cross emerged, a folded sheaf of paper under one arm. He strode directly toward them.
“Captain,” Evelyn said, giving him a curt tip of her head. “I am here to recover my student, Isabel Campbell, who was stolen from outside her sister’s home by your Lieutenant Burdock.”
Captain Cross gave a small nod, his hand rising to stroke his pointed beard. “A pleasure to see you again, Lady Evelyn. I hope that your school is growing as you’d hoped.”
“My charge, Captain,” Evelyn said, her mouth pinched in annoyance.
“Will be here until she answers questions related to why she attacked one of my soldiers.”
“She is a child,” Evelyn said through stacked teeth. “And she does not speak, so she will not be able to answer your questions. Bring her out to me now, or I will send immediately to my brother for assistance. He has the ear of King Charles, and when parliament is reconvened he could be a great ally to you, or a great enemy.” She laid the threat directly before him.
“We have quite a number of friends at court,” Scarlet said, her voice sounding royal. “Any one of them would be happy to assist when a child is in jeopardy from none other than their own English army.” She shook her head, calling him to task.
“She is a Scottish chit, and she attacked an English soldier.”
Evelyn took a step closer to Cross and glared. “With pebbles at a full-grown man with a musket.” She tipped her head to the side. “How will that look to Queen Catherine when I write to her about you and your defense of Lieutenant Burdock?”
Captain Cross’s face relaxed into something close to boredom. “Your threats do not sway me,” he said. “However…” He pulled the paper from under his arm. It looked to be a gazette. “Since I see that you are now officially betrothed to Lord Philip Sotheby of London, a respected man of great influence, I am persuaded to overlook the child’s crime, since you, Lady Evelyn, are her matron.”
“Officially betrothed?” Evelyn said, the question falling from her parted lips. Her stomach turned to stone inside. How could it be? Nathaniel had said he’d delay Philip, at least for another month.
“Yes,” Cross said, his eyebrow going up in question. “The banns have been posted in the London Gazette.” He unfolded the pages, reading. “Lady Evelyn Worthington and Sir Philip Sotheby, to be wed this spring.” He turned the tip of his knobby nose toward Evelyn. “This was dated a fortnight ago. Were you not aware?”
Scarlet made a small choking noise, mirroring the strangle-like hold on Evelyn’s throat. Heart pounding, Evelyn fought to smooth her features, pushing the disaster behind her for the time being. Isabel was still in enemy hands.
She cleared her throat, waving a hand dismissively. It would have looked more noble if she had worn her pristine white gloves, but they were back at Finlarig with clean gowns, free of berry stains. “A matter of miscommunication on my brother’s part, I’m sure. With the welfare of my student in jeopardy, I will follow up with that later.” She met his squinted eyes directly. “Now, where is Isabel Campbell?”
He held her gaze, and she pressed her tongue behind her teeth, waiting. “Let us talk about this inside, out of the breeze,” he said.
“Tell me where my student is being kept,” she said. She didn’t dare glance at the carriage where Cat sat. Hopefully she would stay out of trouble.
A dark smile pressed upward between the trimmed whiskers on Cross’s face. “I was questioning her in my office when you arrived.” He quirked his head in a slight bow and turned his hand upward to indicate the double story building from which he’d emerged.
Before he could offer his arm, which she’d rather entertain nausea than take, Evelyn took Scarlet’s arm, drawing her along as she strode without preamble toward the captain’s headquarters. Ensign Morris came even with them. “Right this way, ladies,” he said, his voice anxious.
Did he know that he worked for the devil? One who described people as vermin and locked them up in a burning castle? One who let his lieutenant harass local women and steal children without a word of reprimand? With Englishmen like Cross and Burdock close by, it was no wonder that the residents of Killin despised England and everything related to it.
As Evelyn reached for the handrail at the bottom of the stairs, a movement beyond the building caught her eye. There in the shadows, wearing the deadliest of frowns, stood Grey. The toe of her slipper caught on the bottom step, and if it hadn’t been for Scarlet, Evelyn would have fallen on her face. With Scarlet’s gentle tug, Evelyn glanced back, but Grey was gone. She blinked, forcing herself to breathe.
So, he hadn’t run headlong into the English camp, brandishing his sword, like she’d envisioned. He could be angry with her later for not telling him. Right now, the knowledge that he was somewhere close, close and free, made her feel safer as she walked into the devil’s den.
The building was made of old wood, as if the planks had come from another home, or perhaps a barn, to fashion an office for the company’s command. Upstairs was most likely living quarters for the officers. Had Isabel been taken to Burdock’s bedroom? Evelyn exhaled in silent relief as Ensign Morris passed the steps, leading them toward a door at the far end.
“’Tis interesting that the girl doesn’t speak,” Cross said, walking inside. He took a shortbread cookie from a plate on the table next to a cup of what looked like tea. He bit into it, chewing before them. “What is wrong with her?” he asked and swallowed.
“Her father was murdered, and she watched her mother die of a broken heart,” Scarlet said, disdain in her voice.
“Is she inside?” Evelyn said, going to the door. “Isabel, are you in there? It’s Evelyn.”
“Murdered fathers do not cause one to go dumb.” Cross threw back the rest of his tea in one gulp.
Evelyn looked to Ensign Morris as she jiggled the knob. “Unlock the door.”
“You need to teach the little savage not to throw rocks at people,” Cross said and nodded to Ensign Morris.
“And you, Captain, need to teach your men not to attack women and steal away children,” Evelyn said with unconcealed contempt. “There was no reason for Lieutenant Burdock to even be out near her sister’s cottage.” The lock clicked, and Evelyn pressed forward into the room. “Isabel?”
She stopped in the center, her feet on the woven red carpet before the large desk that must be Captain Cross’s. “Isabel?” She turned in a tight circle, inhaling the lingering smell of pipe tobacco. “Where is she?”
Cross used his arms to push Ensign Morris aside as he surged into the room. “Why that sly fox.” He rushed to the window that was raised halfway. “But I had her wrists tied.” He turned, his fingers out wide as he set his palms flat on his desk, his eyes scanning the documents he had laid out.
“Good God,” Scarlet said. “You tied up a little girl. Shame on you.” She turned to Evelyn. “We will surely report this to Nathaniel and King Charles.”
Evelyn rounded on Captain Cross. “If anything has happened to her, the fault will be yours for her poor treatment while in your care. And I expect a formal reprimand of Lieutenant Burdock. See that he stays out of Killin and the surrounding area.”
Cross’s eyes narrowed, all attempts at civility slipping away from his stance, making a tingle of chills race up to Evelyn’s nape. “You have become their champion then,” he said, his voice rough. “Even though I understand it was you who ordered they be burned out of their home.”
“What?” Evelyn took a step back as if slapped. “I did no such thing.”
“Your brother’s solicitor wrote back that the Lady Evelyn suggested smoking out the Scottish vermin. ’Twas your words that spurred me to action.” His gaze dropped back to his desk, scanning the many papers as if he searched for the solicitor’s damning letter.
“She had no idea that you referred to people as vermin,” Scarlet said, and took Evelyn’s arm, though she barely felt the tug, as her limbs had grown numb, her breaths shallow.
Evelyn swallowed, her mouth dry as ash. “I was misinterpreted.” She shook her head. “And that has nothing to do with the treatment of my student today.” Inhaling, Evelyn drew herself up tall. “If I see Lieutenant Burdock near my students or school, I will assume that he is breaking your command and be forced to shoot him myself.” She narrowed her eyes. “I’m a very good shot.”
“Threatening the king’s soldiers?” Cross said, his face opening with amusement. “My, you’ve come quite far from Charles’s court in London, haven’t you?”
Evelyn kept his stare. “As you’ve pointed out, we are in wild country now, Captain. I will do what I must to protect myself and my charges. See that he stays away.” She straightened, turning to present her back to him. “Good day,” she said without the curtesy of a nod or acknowledgment. Scarlet released her arm so she could precede her out of the office.
Evelyn’s mind tumbled with her pounding heart, the fine hairs at her nape tingling upright. How could Nathaniel’s solicitor write such horrible words? Had he, too, thought Cross referred to rats? Would the captain, in some attempt to turn the Scots against her school, show the letter to Grey?
“Milady,” James said to Scarlet as she climbed inside the carriage. He looked grim. “All is well?”
“Isabel escaped the captain’s office on her own,” Evelyn said. She ducked to climb into the dark carriage and gasped, nearly smacking her head on the doorframe.
Sitting across from a wide-eyed Scarlet was a very angry looking Highlander. Evelyn plopped down next to Scarlet as James closed the door without looking in. The carriage shifted as he climbed atop.
“Grey?” Evelyn whispered, her stomach churning. But he couldn’t have heard Cross inside the building talking about her horrifying advice.
He held a finger to his lips, raising his knuckles to rap on the interior roof. The carriage lurched forward, and Evelyn braced herself against the seat. They rode out of the square, onto the road going south, the wheels crunching on the pebble-strewn path. “Where is Cat?” she whispered.
“With Izzy, on my horse, headed to Finlarig.” His words were rough with obvious ire.
“You rescued Isabel from Cross’s office?” she asked.
“Nay, she rescued herself. I found her behind the building and took her to her sister, who had snuck into the woods.” He stared at Evelyn, and she stared back, searching his hard face.
Evelyn inhaled, forcing her shoulders to relax. “Isabel is a brave child.” Evelyn noticed Scarlet looking back and forth between them. Her sister would never divulge the mistake she’d made. Her haste in speaking flippantly.
Grey sat opposite Evelyn, his thick arms crossed over his chest, his sword at his side. “Ye asked me if I believed ye to be an intelligent woman, and I said aye.”
If she were intelligent, she’d have asked more questions about the castle and the people who were losing their home. When she didn’t respond, he continued. “Tell me this, Evelyn. Do ye think I am an intelligent man?”
A spot inside her forehead ached, and she pressed against it with her fingertips. “Yes.”
His mouth moved slightly to one side and back as if to relieve the ache in his tight jaw. “Just not intelligent enough to stop myself from running into an English stronghold with nary a weapon save my sword, brandishing it about with a war cry to summon all the musket-armed English dogs to shoot me full of holes.”
Relief uncoiled within her, making Evelyn tremble. He hadn’t heard anything outside the captain’s window. He was furious about her going alone. She swallowed, taking several exchanges of breath. “I…wasn’t sure what you would do,” she answered. She glanced at Scarlet who seemed preoccupied with the trees outside the window. “Isabel would not want to be responsible for you getting killed.” She breathed deeply, squeezing some of the numbness out of her hands. “The clan needs its chief. And it seems that the English company assigned here would use any excuse to be rid of you.”
“So ye walked straight into the devil’s home, ye and your sister, without a care that Cross and Burdock are without integrity or honor.” He lowered his voice almost to a whisper and leaned forward, his hand going to the hilt of his sword. “And what exactly do ye think I would do if Cross had tied ye to his bed inside instead of letting ye walk back out?”
Evelyn swallowed hard, the image of her sister being taken by Cross as she fought against him, replaced her own selfish concerns. “Ensign Morris seemed honorable,” she replied. “But…if the worst had happened, I would hope you’d have gotten Isabel to safety.”
“Bloody foking hell,” he said, his face contorting in rage. He shoved his hands into his hair as if his brain itched under his skull. He met her gaze again, looked up at her from lowered eyes. “From here on out, let us discuss rash plans that might see one or both of us dead at the end of the day.”
She clasped her fingers tightly in her lap. No matter what Scarlet had advised, Evelyn was not able to push her foolish words behind her. She would just have to confess to Grey. He must know her enough to realize she’d never ask to have anyone burned out of their home.
“Evelyn?” he asked, his brows low.
“Very well,” she said with a series of little nods.
“Your promise,” he said.
She stared at him, her gaze wandering over the handsome lines of his face. “I promise,” she said. “And you must promise not to rush off into a fray where muskets are likely.”
The corner of his mouth tipped upward. “I promise not to rush into any frays,” he said, the word sounding humorous coming from such a mountainous man.
The carriage continued on with Scarlet keeping watch outside. Evelyn relaxed back into the seat, her mind set on a plan of confession. Once Grey knew, Cross would have nothing to hold over her. Her stomach flipped as she met Grey’s stare, his broad shoulders filling the entire seat across from them. Held inside the carriage, he seemed like a giant from legends, his arms thick with muscle, his bare knees bent upward to brush her skirts with each rocking motion. The heat she saw growing in his eyes made her look away.
Evelyn squirmed on the seat, pressing her backside down to disperse the aching that weighed heavy within her. Damn, but the man brought wicked thoughts to her mind, and instead of looking away or out the window, he continued to watch her. His piercing gray eyes met hers every time she dared to gaze his way. And then, playing a game of seduction, his gaze would slowly travel to her mouth, down her neck to her breasts and waist. Evelyn was certain that if alone in the rocking carriage, she would likely climb upon his lap. Just once more before I tell him.
“The horse has made it back,” Scarlet said from the window, her first words since Captain Cross’s office. Evelyn spied Grey’s large charger being led by Hamish into the barn within the bailey.
James stopped and climbed to the ground to open the door. “God’s teeth,” he swore as he saw Grey sitting inside. “When did Mistress Cat turn into you?”
“Mistress Cat and Isabel are hopefully in Finlarig right now,” Evelyn said and tried to stand, but Scarlet rested her hand on her arm.
“A moment,” Scarlet said. “Go before us, Grey.” Grey passed a look between them and climbed out.
“Please give us a moment, James,” Evelyn said and turned toward Scarlet.
Her sister shifted to sit in Grey’s seat, her expressive eyes narrowing. Good God. Of course, Scarlet wouldn’t let the conversation and glances on the way back go without comment. Or demand of an explanation or—
“So, when did you two fall in love?” Scarlet asked.