Daring Lords and Ladies

by Emily Murdoch

  “How dare you come here?” Elizbeth demanded.

  Robert yanked the door closed.

  “We have no time for discussion, Miss Elizbeth. There are—”

  “No time for discussion?” she cut in. “This man betrayed us. Margarette told me what you did, Mister Matland. How much did my father pay you to capture my aunt and sister?”

  “Elizbeth.” He took a step toward her.

  Elizbeth stiffened. “Miss McKinley.” She faced Mister Haywood. “Mister Haywood, if we are who you say we are, then you are duty-bound to obey my command. I want Mister Matland clapped in irons. He is a traitor to all we hold dear.”

  “Elizbeth,” Aunt Davina said before he could reply, “there is no time for this.” She turned to Mister Haywood and pointed at Daniel. “I thought that young man was Mister Matland?”

  “They are brothers,” Elizbeth interrupted. “Just another thing Robert lied about. He betrayed you and Margarette, Aunt. He helped Father capture you. Margarette told me.”

  “Mister McFarlan has a perfectly reasonable explanation for that,” Aunt Davina said. “He had to go along with our capture so he would have the opportunity to aid us later, and that time is come.”

  Elizbeth stared. “And you believe him? I—”

  “You will be quiet,” her aunt snapped. “Your father’s men are outside the inn.”

  Elizbeth drew a sharp breath in unison with Margarette’s, “What will we do?”

  “Stay here,” Mister Haywood ordered. He nodded for Robert to follow him. “Daniel, you will stand guard outside the door.”

  Robert glanced her way, but Elizbeth turned and placed a hand on Daniel’s arm. “Thank you for your help, sir.”

  He bowed, then followed the other two men out of the room. From the corner of her eye, Elizbeth glimpsed Robert’s frown in the instant before he pulled the door closed.

  The door clicked shut and Elizbeth whirled to face her aunt. “What happened? You know he betrayed us.”

  “Mister McFarlan—”

  “Matland,” Elizbeth cut in. “He lied to us. His name is Matland.”

  Davina made an impatient, slashing gesture. “His name is of no matter, Elizbeth. What matters is that your father sent Mister Matland and some other men to fetch us back home, but he is here to help us.”

  Elizbeth couldn’t believe her ears. “But he helped capture you and Margarette. How can you say he is here to help us?”

  “You had better pray he is here to help. There are only three men, including Mister McFarlan, to help us, and that behemoth MacGregor is without.”

  Elizbeth opened her mouth to correct her aunt.

  “I know his name is Matland, and I know he lied to us,” Aunt Davina snapped. “If you wish to live a free life, you must put that aside for the moment.”

  Indignation swelled within Elizbeth.

  “You have said you are a woman grown. Now is the time to act the part,” Davina went on. “You have not only yourself to think of, but your sister, as well.”

  “What shall we do?” Elizbeth asked stiffly.

  “We wait for Mister Haywood to return.”

  Wait for another man to save them. Elizbeth fumed. They might as well wish for the stars to fall from heaven.

  ***

  Robert stood alongside Haywood while the lad at the front counter informed them the inn’s cellar had a short tunnel that opened behind the stables. The troubled look in the boy’s eyes said he found the question odd.

  Haywood leaned across the counter, and said in a low voice, “We can trust you to remain silent, I hope. We are on the king’s business and he would be displeased should our whereabouts become known.”

  The lad’s eyes widened. Robert wasn’t certain whether his threat was sufficient to keep the lad quiet or if he couldn’t wait to spread the news that two men had arrived on the king’s business.

  “I warn you,” Haywood added in a chilling voice, “if you say a word to anyone of our presence, the king will see you hang.”

  The boy’s eyes further widened. “Y-ye may depend upon me, sir.”

  Haywood nodded. “We will leave soon, but you will say nothing—ever.”

  The boy gave a shaky nod and Haywood jerked his head at Robert in a command to follow. They strode from the lobby, back to where Daniel stood outside the women’s room. Daniel regarded them with eager eyes, too ready, by Robert’s estimation, for action.

  They stopped and Robert whispered, “I have been here too long. By now, MacGregor knows the women are here.”

  Haywood nodded. “We must act soon.”

  “We could take the women through the tunnel, into the stable, and load them into the carriage,” Robert suggested.

  “You said three men came with you, one a tracker?” Haywood asked.

  Robert nodded.

  Haywood’s mouth thinned. “A carriage cannot outdistance three riders. And the only way for the carriage to leave the stable is through the front.”

  “The women can ride,” Robert urged. If pistol balls started flying, anyone could get hurt, including Elizbeth. “Miss McKinley and Miss Margarette rode all night to get here.”

  “All the more reason not to trust Miss Margarette to ride more,” Haywood said. “And we brought only two good mounts tied to the carriage. We’re a mount shy.”

  “The carriage horses—” Robert began.

  “Will never outdistance riding mounts.”

  It was on Robert’s lips to suggest Elizbeth could ride in the saddle with him.

  Haywood gave an impatient shake of his head. “We squander time. You know as well as I that the one watching the inn, at least, must be subdued. Hopefully, the other two remain around back until we’re away.” He faced Daniel. “Go to the stables. Act as if you are just another patron and circle around the stables behind MacGregor. Robert will distract MacGregor while you sneak up behind him.”

  “You should go, Haywood,” Robert said. “MacGregor is formidable.”

  “I can kill a large man with a bullet just as easily as Captain Haywood,” Daniel said.

  Robert shook his head. “You haven’t seen MacGregor. He—”

  “I am not a boy,” Daniel cut in.

  “Daniel—” Robert began.

  “Nae,” Haywood cut him off. “The lad will attract less attention than will I, but you aren’t to shoot him unless you have no other choice.”

  Daniel’s expression clouded with confusion, adding to his appearance of youth.

  “A gunshot will rouse the entire inn and alert the man’s associates. Knock him out, or stab him, if needs be.” Haywood eyed Daniel. “Are you up to the task?”

  Robert opened his mouth to protest. Haywood raised a hand, but kept his gaze on Daniel. Daniel swallowed hard and nodded.

  “Good,” Haywood said.

  Daniel started to turn.

  “Daniel,” Haywood said. Daniel halted. “After MacGregor is subdued, hitch the horses to the new rig. I will get the women there. And wait until you see Robert talking with MacGregor before making any moves. Do you understand?”

  Daniel gave a curt nod, then left without a look at Robert. Robert watched his younger brother as he strode down the hall.

  “Robert,” Haywood said.

  Robert shifted his gaze to Haywood.

  “Tell MacGregor the women are here, but they didn’t see you. Tell him they are in this dining room. Are the other two men a threat?”

  “I wager they can shoot,” Robert said. “But I cannot attest to their loyalties. I suspect MacGregor knows of Luchd-Dìon, or maybe even is Luchd-Dìon.”

  Haywood’s brows knit. After a moment, he shook his head. “It matters not. He is working with the French to put McKinley on the throne. That makes him our enemy. We have no choice but to kill him.”

  Robert agreed. “He distrusts me.”

  “Does he suspect you of being Luchd-Dìon?”

  “I do not know. He could be suspicious by nature. After all, he is trying to overthrow t
he government.”

  Haywood nodded. “Soon, he will be of no consequence. Now, go. Daniel should be in place soon.”

  Robert spun away from Haywood, away from Elizbeth, and forced his feet down the corridor. She was safer with Haywood. If only he’d not sent her home that morning. If only she hadn’t come to him.

  But she had, and he never should have sent her home. In truth, she’d caught him off guard, but his pride had been wounded, as well. Now…now Haywood would likely order the first parson they encountered to marry her to Daniel. If Haywood wished, he needn’t find a priest. He could simply have the two declare themselves wed.

  Hope surged. Nae. Handfasting would not withstand legal scrutiny. Nor even the word of a Scottish parson. These marriages must bear up under scrutiny. English scrutiny. They needed a license and a priest.

  His blood chilled. That meant the women would remain in severe danger for several more days. Several more days? He scoffed. They would be in danger for the remainder of their lives. Could his younger brother protect Elizbeth for the rest of her life? Daniel claimed he was a man now, but he still looked the boy of their youths.

  Robert passed through the lobby and was startled to find MacLaine inside the inn, near the front door. Robert kept walking. Had MacGregor ordered MacLaine to look for him, or had MacLaine taken it upon himself to do so? Either way, the man was here now. Robert didn’t allow himself to dwell on the possibility that MacLaine and McAllen might have to die, along with MacGregor.

  When he reached the door, MacLaine started to turn as if to follow him, but Robert said, “Stay here, man. The women are in a private dining room, but they have guards. I wish to speak with MacGregor.”

  MacLaine hesitated and Robert resisted the urge to reach for his borrowed gun. MacLaine gave a tiny nod and remained where he stood. Robert pushed through the door.

  MacGregor stood with a hip pressed against the stone wall, looking as if he hadn’t a care in the world. The stables stood to MacGregor’s left, but Robert needed the stables at MacGregor’s back.

  MacGregor continued to rest against the wall as Robert neared. Robert sat on the wall to MacGregor’s right and silently cursed when MacGregor didn’t look at him. Even if Daniel exited the rear of the stables, MacGregor could spot him. Aside from the oak tree, no other trees or brush separated them from the stables.

  “The women are here,” Robert said. “They have a private dining room, but they have guards.”

  “Who are the guards?” MacGregor asked as casually as if he inquired about the weather.

  “I do not know them. I suspect the ladies hired them.”

  “How many?” MacGregor asked.

  “Five.”

  MacGregor gave no indication that the number worried him, and Robert could well believe it didn’t. MacGregor was large enough to take on several men. Robert half wondered if a single bullet could bring the man down.

  “Do they plan to stay the night?” MacGregor asked.

  “They have not engaged a room.”

  MacGregor gave a slight nod. “We can wait until they leave and intercept them on the road. That is, unless you warned them.” MacGregor turned his head just enough to make eye contact with Robert.

  Robert frowned as if surprised. “If I had spoken with them, they would have ordered their guards to kill me.”

  “Would they?” MacGregor murmured.

  “Do you know Davina McKinley at all, man? The woman is no fool—nor is she weak-kneed. She would kill me or any anyone else who threatened the safety of her nieces.”

  MacGregor’s brows rose and Robert realized that, for the first time, he’d caught the man off guard. He turned more fully toward Robert. “Nieces?” MacGregor repeated in a quiet voice. “Are both nieces here?”

  “Nae—that is, I do not know,” Robert fumbled. “Was not Miss Margarette the only niece with her?” He frowned as if frustrated. “The lad I spoke with only mentioned two women. Is Miss Elizbeth supposed to be here, as well?”

  MacGregor shrugged, but his gaze bore into Robert.

  Robert narrowed his eyes. “What the devil is going on?”

  “You are leading a capture,” MacGregor replied in a low voice. “Which is fortunate for you.”

  Over MacGregor’s shoulder, Robert caught sight of Daniel, pistol reversed in his hand, as he hurried around the stable. Fifty feet lay between Robert’s little brother and MacGregor. All Daniel need do was reach the oak tree, some five feet behind MacGregor, and he could easily shoot, but Haywood had ordered no shots be taken. Now, Robert wished his brother would take in the size of the burly man, disobey orders, and put a bullet in MacGregor.

  “Fortunate for me?” Robert worked to keep tension from voice and frame. “What do you mean?”

  “Ye noted those two horses tied outside the stable?”

  Robert looked in the direction, glad for an excuse to check on Daniel’s progress. His brother crept ever closer. Maybe Haywood’s plan would work after all.

  Robert nodded. “Aye, I see them.”

  “Those are horses from McKinley’s stables,” MacGregor said.

  Robert looked at him in surprise. Leave it to the Scot to know horseflesh.

  “You knew they were here?”

  “Aye,” MacGregor said with a slow nod.

  Robert thinned his lips. “You might have told me. It was a waste of time—not to mention risky—for me to go into the inn.”

  “I do not think it was a waste of time, at all,” MacGregor said in a conversational tone. “Had you lied…” He shrugged.

  Robert tensed. If MacGregor turned even a fraction, he wouldn’t miss Daniel. Robert willed his brother to throw away caution and hurry across the remaining distance.

  “Lied?” Robert declared, angry. “Why the bloody hell would I lie?”

  Daniel was ten feet away. He would reach the tree in seconds.

  “No need to get offended,” MacGregor said. “There is too much at stake not to be certain where everyone’s loyalties lie.”

  “What is at stake?” Robert asked, permitting frustration into his tone. “Mister McKinley said he made matches for his sister and daughters, but he did not say why your master is here, from France, or why the women have run off.”

  “Well, now, dinnae worry yourself over that. Why not go inside the inn and have something to eat?”

  “That is too dangerous,” Robert shot back.

  Daniel reached the tree. He hadn’t made a sound. Their mother would be proud. Their father, as well, if he still lived.

  Daniel edged around the tree, took three quick steps. Instead of slamming the butt of his pistol down on MacGregor’s head, he jammed the barrel against the big man’s shaggy red mane. “Do not move.”

  MacGregor froze. His eyes locked with Robert’s.

  “Remove the pistol from your waistband,” Daniel ordered.

  MacGregor reached for the weapon.

  “Slowly,” Daniel ordered.

  Carefully, MacGregor grasped the gun. He whirled. Daniel fired. MacGregor’s gun roared as Robert yanked the pistol from his waistband. The hammer contacted the firing pin with a click. MacGregor spun toward Robert, his mouth contorted in rage. Blood stained his shirt.

  “I knew ye were not to be trusted, you bastard,” MacGregor snarled.

  Robert dropped the weapon and lunged. MacGregor yanked another pistol from a holster hidden by his coat. Robert dove for the ground. The weapon boomed. He hit the ground, rolling, and leapt to his feet. MacGregor, on the other side of the stone wall, staggered toward the stables. He collapsed to his knees.

  Robert grabbed his boot knife, leapt over the wall, and froze. Daniel lay on the ground, a large blade stuck in his neck. Eyes the same color as Robert’s stared, sightless, at the murky Scottish sky.

  Chapter Twenty

  The report of a pistol ripped through the air. A second followed so quickly, it stole Elizbeth’s breath. She, Margarette, Aunt Davina and Mister Haywood froze half a dozen steps from the cellar tun
nel. They stared in the direction of the shots, but the stable, twenty feet away, blocked their view.

  What had happened?

  Margarette whirled to face them, eyes wide, tears ready to overspill the rims.

  “Good God.” Aunt Davina looked at Mister Haywood.

  “Get to the stables,” he ordered.

  “Where is Robert?” Elizbeth demanded.

  Mister Haywood exchanged a meaningful glance with Aunt Davina.

  “Come,” Aunt Davina said. “We must do as Mister Haywood bids.”

  “Where is Robert?” Elizbeth demanded.

  “He is obeying orders, Miss Elizbeth,” Mister Haywood said. “Please, we must hurry.”

  Shouts went up on the far side of the stable. Elizbeth’s heart pounded, but her limbs refused to move. Aunt Davina grasped her and Margarette’s arms and pulled them along as she followed Mister Haywood at a hurried walk toward the stable. They burst into the large, dark building. Framed in the double doors, Elizbeth glimpsed a group of men beside the stone wall near the large oak tree. Someone knelt on the ground near the—she swallowed—the body of a large, red-headed man.

  Aunt Davina pulled them through the stables after Mister Haywood. When they reached the carriage that sat alongside her father’s carriage, Mr. Haywood handed Aunt Davina a gun and started saddling the riding mounts. He ignored the carriage horses, stalled a few steps away.

  “Aunt Davina,” Elizbeth said, voice unnaturally high and strained to her own ears. “Where is Robert?”

  Her aunt gave her a strange look, but said nothing.

  Elizbeth began to shake. Margarette wrapped her in a hug.

  Two mounts saddled, Mister Haywood spun and strode to where they stood. “Remain here, while I see what happened. If anyone comes after you, mount up and ride. My horse can easily carry two.” He started toward the front of the stable.

  Elizbeth opened her mouth to demand that he tell them what he knew, when a hulking silhouette rounded the corner of the door. Margarette’s arms convulsed about Elizbeth. Aunt Davina raised her pistol. The form resolved into Robert, Daniel hoisted over his shoulder. Face grim, Robert strode toward them and continued to the nearest stall with Mister Haywood close behind.