by Eliza Knight
“Aye. Verra well.”
“Good. We will run to the horses then.”
He expected her to balk at the prospect of running a mile, but she merely nodded and said with a short laugh, “Wish I’d kept on my stays.”
He narrowed his eyes but didn’t ask why until they started to run, and she clutched her breasts to her chest. That made him grin and also feel bad for her at the same time.
“I understand now,” he said as they ran, eyeing her clutched breasts.
Kenna laughed. “The stays would have kept them in place, but it’d be hell to breathe.”
“Aye.”
“And I dinna think ye’d want me to pass out along the journey.”
“Nay.” He chuckled, thinking about offering to hold her breasts if she needed a rest, but he kept the vulgar jest to himself.
Less than a quarter-hour later, without having any interference, thank the saints, they arrived at the barn where he’d boarded the two horses during his short mission. Inside, two Jacobite rebels nodded and accepted the coin Sorley passed them.
“Mistress J,” Sorley said, bowing to the smaller of the two rebels.
Dressed in breeches, shirts and frockcoats, with caps decorated in a white cockade, the two stood sentry at the barn door. The shorter of the two was Mistress J, and the taller one Sorley guessed was her cousin. The rebel lass was making a name for herself across the Highlands, and he knew when he’d needed help that she’d be the one to ask. She had delivered on her promise, and he would deliver on his end of the bargain.
“Retriever,” she said with a slight bow to her head.
If only they could stay longer and chat. He thought that Kenna and Mistress J would get along quite well, for the latter was a rebel fighter who spent hours in the dark raising a rebel army, weapons and coin. Her bravery was impressive, to say the least, and to be admired.
Sorley recognized the same rebel spirit in Kenna.
The two women eyed each other, and then Mistress J stepped forward and held out her hand. Kenna clasped it in a show of solidarity. Both of them smiled as if sharing some silent secret.
“Welcome to the right side.” Mistress J nodded her approval. “We shall meet again.”
Mistress J’s companion handed Sorley a satchel full of supplies that would keep Kenna and him fed until they reached her uncle. The journey to Kyle of Lochalsh, where they’d catch a ferry across to Skye, was going to take several days.
Then the two rebels melted into the shadows, leaving Sorley and Kenna to mount up and be on their way.
“Ye have impressive friends,” Kenna said as they exited the barn.
“Ye know Mistress J?” Sorley glanced down the road. No sign of their rebel friends, nor the dragoons he’d expected would have started a search by now.
“Everyone knows who she is, including me, though this was the first time we’ve formally met. She was fantastic.” There was admiration in Kenna’s voice. “To be honest, I’d thought her to be made up.”
“Ye’d no’ be the only one,” Sorley chuckled. “I thought the same too.”
They headed down the road, keeping a steady pace as they made their way southward. He wanted to get a good distance away before dawn, when they could no longer hide under the cover of darkness. Of course, they were not necessarily safe anywhere. Dragoons wandered the woods as if they owned all of Scotland outright.
It was not the journey itself that worried Sorley. Nay, indeed, the only thing that worried him right now was how he would keep himself from kissing Kenna again. Every time he looked at her, he thought of that soft whisper of breath when he’d pressed his lips to hers. The heat of her mouth; the passionate way she’d returned his kiss.
There was a lot more to Kenna Forbes than he’d thought. So many layers to peel back to discover who she was. And he found himself eager to do so. Such as, how in the world did a lass trained to be a lady know how to wield a weapon—and keep that weapon in her tightly wound, decorative hairstyle? The dagger she’d pulled on him had been a surprise!
Indeed, the next three days traveling together were going to be fascinating. Sorley grinned, his gaze on Kenna, and his heart stuttered when she grinned right back, a twinkle of mischief sparkling in her bonnie blue eyes.
5
Kenna startled, falling to the left in the saddle as she’d started to drift to sleep again. They’d been traveling for hours through the night, going slow when necessary and speeding up when the roads were clear.
She was unaccustomed to staying awake through the night, and while the fear of the dragoons chasing after them had kept her awake the first few hours, exhaustion continued to sway her ability to remain upright.
“Do ye need to rest?” Sorley asked. Though she could barely see his expression in the dark, his tone was concerned.
Being the reason they were caught by the dragoons in hot pursuit was not on her list of goals for the night, so she shook her head. “I’m fine.”
“Ye were falling. Again.”
“I was no’.”
He didn’t say anything, but his silence was question enough.
“Nay,” she said with a little more vigor. “Merely stretching.”
“A strange way to stretch.” There was a touch of sarcasm in his tone.
“I never said I was no’ strange,” she quipped right back.
“True enough. Only a strange lass would wear a plaid gown to a ball thrown for redcoats.”
Kenna laughed, but the sound was not full and hearty like usual. Mostly because she was thinking about the family she’d left behind and worrying about what had happened to them. Would Boyd take her disappearance out on her uncle and cousin?
Her thumb rubbed over the base of the ring on her finger, which had been her mother’s. A prayer for her family was all Kenna could do, for Boyd would have certainly violated her had she remained. He’d made that clear. He wouldn’t do that to Elizabeth, who was innocent of any rebel activity, whereas Kenna was the one with tainted blood, even if she’d yet to commit what they saw as a crime.
Even still, she asked, “Do ye think Boyd will...hurt my family?”
Sorley grunted. “I think he wants to harm anyone with a drop of Scottish blood in him, but I believe Duncan and Elizabeth are safe. Your uncle has proven himself a man loyal to King George, and he will protect his daughter. No doubt, they’d throw your name out with the offal, though.”
“I do no’ care what they say about me, as long as Elizabeth comes to no harm. And as irritating as I found my uncle and his loyalties, I do no’ wish him to come to injury either.”
“Then ye need no’ worry. If Boyd were to cause them to be in any danger, it would no’ bode well for other Scots loyal to King George, and the relative peace they are trying to accomplish would come to an end.”
“Sometimes, I think they want it to come to an end so they can start a war.”
Sorley’s face clouded in grim recognition. “I do believe war is imminent, lass.”
“I hate war.” A sick swirling in her belly made her a little nauseous.
“Have ye witnessed a battle, lass?”
Kenna shook her head. “The stories were enough.”
“Aye, and the losses.”
They were both silent for a moment, thinking about the loss of their parents, their homes. Did he lay awake at night and wonder what life would be like if they’d not lost so much? Many nights, she did.
“How fortunate we both are for the charity of others,” she said. “I for my Uncle Duncan, and ye for my uncle, Laird MacLeod.”
“And ye too for Laird MacLeod.”
Kenna raised a brow, even though he couldn’t see. “That remains to be seen. Right now, all I know is that my uncle sent ye to get me, and now I’m on the run. Does no’ seem so very much like charity to me, but rather a punishment. I’ve lost my belongings and my home. And my cousin who was my confidante.”
“When ye put it that way, I can understand why ye might be miffed.”
&n
bsp; “Miffed?” Her tone came out as exasperated as she felt. “Miffed would be if I got mud on my brand-new boots or the hem of a clean gown. I assure ye, Retriever, I am more than miffed.”
“Ah, well, I thank ye for putting into words how ye feel.”
She rolled her eyes. “I’d put it into action, but I daresay the laird would prefer ye arrive in one piece.”
“So much venom after so much sweetness.” Again that mocking tone.
“What does that mean?” She stopped her horse, so she could turn fully toward him, wishing that the moon was brighter so she could see what he looked like at this moment.
Sorley slowed his horse, glancing at her in a way that seemed almost hesitant. “I only meant after we shared a kiss…”
“Ye thought I’d no longer be upset at being uprooted? Fetched like a bone?”
He shrugged, the nonchalant gesture in the murky shadows seeming so...so...annoying.
“I dinna believe ye’re a bone if that makes any difference. I assure ye, lass, your uncle has the best intentions in having me come to get ye. Ye were in danger, and I need no’ remind ye of it. Boyd was intent on seeing ye harmed, whether I was there or no’.”
Kenna let out a groan, suddenly even more exhausted. “And I suppose ye want thanks for that?”
“Nay, no’ at all. Ye were the one who saved me first if ye need reminding.”
“I think we can say we saved each other.” After all, he had arranged for her escape. And she hated to think what would have happened had he not been there. Because she’d have gone back to her room to change, even if Sorley hadn’t been there. Elizabeth would have come up, and Boyd likely would have had another excuse as to why he should be on the family chambers floor.
The bastard would still have torn apart her room, and she’d not have thought about running down the secret stair, or if she had, it would likely have been too late.
“I swear to ye on my life, lass, that I’ll no’ let any harm come to ye. No’ even from me.”
“Do ye anticipate having an inclination of putting injury on my person?”
“Quite the opposite, though that too can lead to injury.” The subtle deepening of his voice sent a shiver through her, reminding her all too much of that kiss.
“I’m no’ sure I understand,” she said softly, though she was pretty sure she did.
“The kiss. The undressing…”
Heat flamed her face, even in the dark. But she was thankful he couldn’t see it. Nor could he see the way her body immediately responded to the memory of his breath on her neck, his fingers at her back. Their conversation, the sensations coursing through her, felt wicked and unreasonable. After all, they’d been acquainted less than a day, but in that time, Kenna had discovered something about herself she hadn’t known before.
She liked intrigue, danger, and a man who was brave in the face of those things made her heart skip a beat. Sorley was that man. He encompassed danger, passion and adventure.
Things she’d never thought to want or desire. And now, within hours, she found her heart pounding and exhilaration running rampant in her veins. Sorley was a thrill she hadn’t known she needed.
But before she had a chance to answer, to say she didn’t regret their kiss, even if she was sore from the disruption of her life, there was a sound of gunfire in the distance.
Sorley stiffened as he listened, and then his head swiveled back to her. “’Tis coming from behind us. We need to move. Fast.”
Kenna didn’t hesitate. “I’ll follow.”
Sorley nudged his mount, and they galloped down the road with her not far behind. She was thankful for the horse that he’d given her, which seemed able to keep pace with his, and also grateful she’d continued to ride even when living with Uncle Duncan. She was not the most skilled horsewoman, but she was decent enough. She could hang on and give direction. And she wasn’t afraid.
Well, of riding. The shots fired behind them had her quite fearful of what was to come. Who had the dragoons found? Or was it a warning shot, meant to pull them from their hiding place?
She could practically feel Captain Boyd’s breath on her neck, and it sent shivers of trepidation and revulsion through her. The man was a blackguard, a devil in disguise. She hoped that he got what he deserved one day and that it was a slow and painful death.
They raced down the road for nearly a quarter of an hour before Sorley slowed, leading his mount into the pine trees that lined that part of the road, giving the animals a chance to breathe. The thick green needles afforded them cover. He cocked his head to the side, concentrating. Even their breaths seemed to echo in the cover of the woods. But so too did the sounds of the advancing enemy. Kenna was listening particularly for the baying of hounds. If Boyd’s crew had dogs with them, they’d have a hell of a time not being found out.
So far, that distinct howling noise didn’t materialize.
“We should keep off the road,” Sorley murmured. “Maybe go deeper into the forest.”
Kenna nodded, the sounds of the enemy getting closer chilling her blood. They picked their way slowly and carefully through the pine forest, careful not to go too fast in case the horses caught their hooves in a fox hole or tripped on tree roots. She hoped he knew his way around the forest, for if she’d been the one to navigate them, they’d have passed the same tree thirty-four times already.
As the dark of night turned to the hazy purple of dawn, Sorley stopped once more to listen. Seeming satisfied, he nodded to her.
“I think we can safely get on the road now. We’ll give the horses a chance to go at an easy pace. If we ride them hard, we’ll need to change them out, which I dinna want to do. The least amount of time we spend in view of anyone, the better.”
Kenna nodded her agreement, studying his strong, shadowed profile. “I trust ye.”
Sorley glanced toward her, and she suspected he was surprised. “Good. Do let me know the first time ye dinna.”
“Aye.”
They kept at their balanced pace with the horses until the sun made itself known.
“We need to find shelter,” he said. “Off the roads during the day. It would be best for us and will allow the horses to recover.”
“An inn?”
He shook his head. “There’s an abandoned croft no’ too far from here that Mistress J recommended to me, and I’ve used it before. We should be safe there. ’Tis well hidden, and if anyone comes upon it, most likely they are a rebel. Even still, I’ll be prepared to defend ye.”
“And I ye.” She patted her hair where her dagger was still firmly in place.
Sorley chuckled. “I almost wish we had an assailant so that I could witness ye using it.”
“Do no’ wish for such, for there are plenty around to see your wish granted.”
The croft was well hidden indeed, covered in crispy, dried brush and dead tree limbs. It looked as though it had been rotting there for some time, but the inside of the small hut was clean, and there were a few cots pushed against the wall with blankets neatly folded on top. A table with four chairs, set with bowls and cups, appeared as if it had been waiting for the next occupants.
A brazier held three fresh logs that had never been lit.
“Looks like someone just left and is expecting to come back,” Kenna said.
“Aye, but it always looks like that.” Sorley set his satchels down near the door in case they needed to make a hasty exit.
“On purpose?”
“Part of the rules if ye stay. We’ll leave it as we found it tonight.”
Kenna smiled, impressed with the close-knit underground rebel organization. “That is lovely.”
“Mistress J’s thought of everything.”
“I can see that.” She pinched one of the wool blankets between her fingers, rubbing back and forth. They were of decent quality. Thank goodness because it was freezing out.
“Are ye hungry?”
“Aye, but I didna bring any food.”
He winked at her.
“No’ to worry, I did. I’ll see to the horses and then to your stomach.”
“Allow me to help. ’Twill go by faster. And I am hungry.” She grinned.
“All right.” They walked through the adjoining room that had been converted into a stable to keep the horses hidden from anyone who came through. It, too, had been cleaned and prepped for the next occupants.
They found the well and filled the trough with water for the horses, and then Sorley gave them oats and hay he had in one of the satchels he’d removed from the horses. They brushed them down, checked their hooves, and then left them to munch while they went back into the main room.
“I hope ye like jerky and bannocks.”
“My favorite,” she said with a laugh.
“I’ve some whisky, too.”
Kenna shook her head. “I’d better no’. Uncle Duncan did no’ believe lassies should have spirits, and so I am no’ accustomed to drinking it, I’m afraid.”
“’Tis a bit chilly in here. Ye may change your mind.”
“I’ll consider it should I freeze.” She rubbed her hands together, the tips of her fingers tingled with feeling coming back in them now that they were somewhat safeguarded from the elements.
“I’ll save ye some.”
They sat at the chairs, but Kenna didn’t remain long. After sitting on the horse all night, she wanted to stand and found the chair's hard wood too much.
“Good idea.” Sorley followed suit, and they ate in silence. When he passed her the flask of whisky, she did take a small sip, shuddering at the burn as it made its way down her throat. She found it soothing, though, given the chill of winter was seeping into her bones.
On the horse, she’d been able to leech some of the heat from the animal, but now that they were inside, though they had the barrier of the walls, she had started to shiver from the cold.
“Best get yourself beneath the blankets,” Sorley suggested. “It willna get any warmer, and we canna light a fire and risk alerting the dragoons looking for us as to where we are.”
“I understand.” Kenna hurried to the closest cot and sank onto the surface, all the exhaustion she’d managed to set aside finally sinking in. She tugged the blanket over her but still shivered.
