A Rose in the Highlands (Highland Roses School)

by Heather McCollum

  “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.”

&nbs
p; 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.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Evelyn stared at Scarlet, the hinges of her jaw numbing to the point that her mouth fell open. She blinked rapidly. “What are you talking about?” she asked.

  Scarlet waved her hand, indicating Evelyn and then her own seat where Grey had sat. “The whole debate on the way back. The apparent earlier discussions about women’s intelligence, which I know to be your favorite topic. The fact that you both were so worried about each other that you made risky decisions.”

  “Scar,” Evelyn said, reaching across. “I should have made you stay behind. I’m sorry. What Grey said about Burdock carrying us away—”

  “Carrying you away, Evie. Yes, on the outside, he was concerned for any female who might come under attack, but his…” She puffed out her chest and curled her thin biceps, her hands in fists. “His I’m-going-to-kill-everyone-who-tries-to-harm-you…” she said, her voice low as if imitating Grey. She dropped her hands to her knees and leaned forward into Evelyn’s face. “All that. He cares about you.” Her eyes opened wide. “And you care about him.”

  Evelyn shook her head, though her stomach flipped inside. Could her heart have followed Grey past the bounds of physical want? “No,” she whispered. “’Tis just…physical.”

  “He’s bedded you?” Scarlet whispered.

  Evelyn glanced toward the window. “Or I’ve bedded him. I’m not sure which.”

  “Did he force you?” she asked, the ferocity in her voice pulling Evelyn’s gaze back to her. Fury tightened Scarlet’s face, and then Evelyn’s words seemed to melt into her. “You bedded him?”

  Evelyn gave a small nod.

  “Good God,” Scarlet said, thumping back in the seat. Evelyn watched her shocked expression soften. “Was it glorious?” Scarlet asked.

  Evelyn couldn’t hide the pleased smile growing on her lips. “Absolutely.”

  Scarlet inhaled slowly, her shock turning to a frown. “I think ‘absolutely glorious’ might mean love.”

  Love? Could Grey actually love a Sassenach? Was this twisty feeling inside her more than simple lust?

  “And that is…complicated,” Scarlet continued.

  Evelyn blinked. “Yes, I suppose it would be. But any feeling that may have grown between us could dissolve if he…” She lowered her voice to a whisper. “If he thinks that I, in any way, encouraged Cross to burn Finlarig.”

  Scarlet reached out to squeeze her arm. “He must know that you would never intentionally do anyone harm.”

  “But why didn’t I ask about the inhabitants?” Evelyn shook her head.

  “Evie, we were both caught up in trying to run as fast as we could, to put England behind us.” Scarlet held up her hand as Evelyn opened her mouth to ask more questions about their need to flee.

  Evelyn sighed and looked out the window. “I need to tell him that.”

  Scarlet squeezed her hand. “And Evie, he could be seducing you. To try to win Finlarig back. Men lie as easily as they breathe.”

  Evelyn’s inhale faltered. “But you said it sounded like he cares for me.”

  Scarlet nodded, her lips thinning as she held them tight. “One can never know for certain.” A shadow passed over Scarlet’s face. “Is it love or is it lies?” Scarlet shook her arm slightly. “You must tell Nathaniel. He will break the betrothal.”

  “Good God,” Evelyn whispered, remembering the banns. “I haven’t even told Grey about Philip.”
/>   Knock. Knock. James poked his head in the window. “You two planning to sit in there all day?”

  For a moment, neither of them answered. “We are coming out,” Scarlet called. “We need to see if Isabel and Cat are recovered.”

  James opened the door, and Evelyn climbed down. She held tight to James and the carriage as numbness made her wobble.

  “There now,” James said when she felt her two feet safely on the ground, and he turned to help Scarlet. Evelyn breathed deeply to dispel the muddling in her brain, and the two of them hurried up the steps to the great hall.

  Her heart pounded hard when she saw Grey across the room talking to Alana. “I knew what I was doing,” he said, frowning at his sister. “And we are all back safe.”

  Alana poked him in the chest. “Do not scare me again. We need ye here.”

  “Where are Cat and Izzy?” Scarlet asked.

  Evelyn looked around, but they weren’t in the hall. “Is the child harmed?”

  “Nay,” Alana said. “Izzy actually seems rather proud of herself. She used her long hairpin to work at loosening the knots.”

  “I told Cat that she must stay at Finlarig for the time being,” Grey said. “They went to find her a room beside Izzy’s.” He gave a slight nod and took a step back, his gaze on Evelyn. “I need to change my shirt,” he said, and she realized that the mud stains across his chest were in the shape of small footprints, no doubt from Isabel when he helped her seat his horse. He traipsed toward the steps.

  “Fiona and Martha have been up in the library going over the letter book,” Alana said. “I told them that when you returned we might have tea and tarts if Molly has scrounged up some more after they were left out for rats to roll around in.”

  Behind her, Scarlet choked slightly and coughed. She cleared her throat. “And Evelyn needs to change her skirt.” She pointed and shook her head. “Bilberry juice. Go on,” Scarlet said, and shooed Evelyn. “I’ll check on Fiona and Martha and stop by Izzy’s room while you change.”

  “Thank you,” Evelyn said and walked toward the steps. The whole conversation in the carriage was still shooting through her mind, ruining her normally good sense. Love? What did she know about the fabled emotion? Could Grey be seducing her heart without forfeiting his own? How could one tell? And would all of it change when she revealed her secrets?