“Why do you think they are still in pursuit? Highwaymen are known to accost and grab what they can and then run. If they confiscated the carriage, they would probably consider that enough booty.”
“Well…” Juliana lowered her lashes as she’d seen Lorelei do and felt like an idiot. She hated simpering—and appearing helpless—but if she were going to convince the soldier that Neal was a danger and needed to be stopped, then circumstances warranted it. She glanced back up. “I do not want to sound immodest, but the leader seemed to be quite taken with me.”
The lieutenant smiled. “Understandable, my lady.”
Juliana blinked. Was he flirting? Men never flirted with her. Truthfully, she wouldn’t believe flowery flippery anyway. She managed what she hoped was a demure smile. “He made some comment that since I was on Cameron land, he could claim me.”
His eyebrow rose. “Did you get a name?”
She knew she was treading on boggy ground here and would have to be careful. She had no idea what kind of alliance the English dragoons had with the Camerons. The English were here to keep law and order, but it would behoove them not to make enemies of the surrounding clan. If she gave Neal’s name, he’d be certain to be stopped. There was also the real probability that this soldier would recognize him as the laird’s son, in which case he might not want to make an issue of it.
“No. But my…betrothed did say if it were Camerons who assaulted us, Clan Grant would not be happy to hear it.” She widened her eyes like she’d seen Lorelei do. “Could that lead to clan war, Lieutenant?”
His mouth tightened. “The king would not be happy if it did.”
“Then I pray that will not happen. Perhaps you could be the one to prevent it. You might alert your captain that if a group of men ride into Fort William and start asking questions about us, they are going to start trouble with Clan Grant and they need to go home.” She smiled at him again. “I am sure your captain would appreciate knowing.”
He colored slightly, then nodded. “I will let him know at once.”
“Thank you.” Juliana rose, causing him to rise, too. “Since the news is somewhat urgent, there is no need to walk me back to the shop. My…betrothed will be waiting for me.”
He bowed slightly. “I am off to talk to the captain, then.”
As they parted ways, Juliana smiled to herself. That had been easier than she’d expected. And she had probably just alleviated a confrontation with the Camerons. Rory couldn’t deny that.
…
“Which way did they go?” Rory asked the merchant and then ran out the door when the man pointed. Juliana wasn’tgoingto drive him barmy, she already had.
He skittered to a stop halfway down the street, realizing he had no idea where the dragoon may have taken her. The garrison was not far away, but with twenty-foot stone walls, the only way in would be through the gate. Anarmedgate. The news of the MacGregors having been un-proscribed just this month might not have traveled this far. Even if it had, there were soldiers bloodthirsty enough to claim they hadn’t heard. Besides which, Fort William was situated in the heart of Cameron country. Some of the soldiers who’d been here long enough might well favor the clan. Did he dare risk approaching as a Grant?
There was no sight of any Camerons, and he doubted they had already arrived, although he didn’t think they were far behind. If he were caught—or worse, if Juliana was caught—inside the garrison when Neal got here, they were doomed.
Rory looked around. There were no dragoons around, nor did he see Juliana. How had the dragoon found her, anyhow? The ones they’d seen on the ridge were on patrol. Since there was nothing overtly suspicious about two people on horseback riding toward the town, they wouldn’t have been inclined to follow immediately. Besides, they would not have had time to reach the fort before he and Juliana had.
Why would a dragoon have gone into a general merchandise store while on duty? Even if he did, why would he question Juliana? Their alibi should have been convincing enough, at least initially. Why would he have taken her away?
Damnation. Where is she?
He took a deep breath and started walking toward the garrison. What other choice did he have?
“Rory!”
He stopped and turned around to see a woman walking quickly toward him from a side street. For a moment, he didn’t recognize her. She’d changed into one of the gowns she’d bought and managed to put her hair up under a lady’s hat.
He sprinted across the street, grabbed her arm, then bent to pull her over his shoulder. Getting a firm grip on her thighs, he straightened and began to run.
Juliana pounded his back. “Put me down!” She tried to kick his groin, but he shifted his hands to her ankles, at the same time lifting her farther over his shoulder, and tried to ignore how close her intimate parts were to his face.
“Have you gone mad?” She pounded some more. “Put. Me. Down.”
“Nae.” He continued to run toward their horses. “I doona ken how ye escaped the dragoon, but we have to get away.” He was a little short of breath by the time he finished the sentence, but they’d reached the horses, and he bent again to set Juliana on her feet.
When he stood, she was staring at him, for once not saying a word. Her bodice was askew, the laces loosened, revealing a bit of breast above the neckline. Her new hat dangled from a ribbon, and her hair had come undone. She looked thoroughly disheveled and he expected a reprimand, but none came. Instead she shook her head.
“You are completely daft.”
“We doona have time to argue. Let me help ye mount.”
