Clenching his teeth to hold in his temper, Teague grunted and shuffled away until the man disappeared into the pub. “Bastard,” he growled under his breath. This feckin’ cowering wore his nerves raw. At least theVengeanceinched closer to the docks at this very minute. The mighty galleon moved carefully through the crowded harbor toward its berth. That alone kept him from dragging that bloody Sassenach out into the street and breaking him in two.
Disguised with her hair pinned up inside a servant’s cap and her cheeks smudged with dirt, Mila hurried to him from across the street with a washerwoman’s basket balanced on her hip. “Just a little longer,” she whispered while acting as though scolding him. She ducked her head to hide her smile. “I am proud ye chose not to knock that man on his arse. Well done, you!”
“I dinna like this.”
“I know it is hard. But just a little longer, aye?” She turned and shielded her eyes, squinting at the ship in the distance. “Calder assured me everything the clan owns is in that warehouse ready to be loaded as soon she docks. Everyone has finally arrived. We will get ye aboard first. Ye can pose as a dockworker loading goods.”
“I hope ye paid off the harbormaster.” He snorted at the thought of the troublesome man who had caused him so much trouble in the past. “He is loyal to gold and silver only. Nothing else.”
Her expression hardened. “That bloodsucking leech has been well paid. Calder saw to the transaction.”
He couldn’t resist a grin. “I see ye like the man as much as I do.”
She turned and spat on the ground before stealing another glance around. “I have noticed more soldiers. Stay vigilant, aye? I feel certain they are looking for ye. Robbie said he spotted that Cranson man who came to our meeting with the lairds. I’d lay odds it was he who stole yer papers.”
He grabbed her hand and rubbed it across his clean-shaven, yet filthy face. “He knows me as a bearded chieftain. This should help fool him, aye?”
With a squeal, she pretended to kick him as she yanked her hand away. “I miss the beard. Grow it back for me, aye?”
“I will, my precious dove.” He swung his head toward the warehouse. “I shall start ambling that way. Are the others alerted and ready?”
“Aye. Be careful.” She threw up a hand as though shooing him away. “Stagger a bit. Act like a drunk, aye?”
He listed to one side, kept his back bent, and shuffled toward the street. “I will be fine, love. Keep yer head down. Ye might be dressed as a lowly washerwoman, but ye are still a beauty.”
“Off wi’ ye, ye drunkard!” She cut an alarmed glance toward the door of the pub.
“I told you to move along!” The British soldier grabbed Teague by the nape and shoved him harder than before.
Everything in him wanted to spring to life and beat the insolence out of the fool, but for Mila’s sake, and the sake of their future, he stumbled, rolled into the gutter, then lay there as though passed out.
“Disgusting,” the soldier said, then turned back to Mila. He removed his hat and offered a polite nod. “My apologies, mistress. I can assure you that it will not happen again. Not on my watch.”
Through eyes closed to cautious slits, Teague glared at the man’s broad back, envisioning a dagger between those shoulder blades. “Get away from my wife,” he growled under his breath.
Head bowed in submission, Mila backed away, bobbing a frightened curtsy with every step. “Thank ye, sir.”
“Wait, mistress.” The soldier moved toward her. “You need not fear me.”
“I must get back to my washing, sir. Thank ye again.” Mila’s voice hit a frightened pitch that made Teague clench his fists tighter. But he forced himself to stay put.
“Let me help you,” the Englishman offered. “I can carry your load with ease.”
Teague moved to a tensed crouch. If the bastard touched Mila, it would be the last mistake he made in this sorry life.
Mila sidestepped the young soldier and stayed out of reach. “It would not be proper, sir. I must go now. Myhusbandwill be home soon looking for his supper.”
The man immediately stepped back and offered an apologetic bow. “Forgive me, mistress. I had hoped you were unattached.”
After bouncing another curtsy, Mila hefted the overloaded basket higher on her hip. “No harm done, sir. Good day to ye now.”
Shoulders slumped in disappointment, the soldier turned away from Mila and scowled down at Teague. “Disgusting.” He spat on him and strode away.
Mila popped back around the corner and rushed to Teague. “Thank ye, m’love. I know it was hard. Now hurry to the warehouse, aye?”
“I need to kill that bastard afore we leave.” Bloodlust and jealousy pounded through him as he climbed out of the ditch.
“No. Please. I need ye safe and alive. That man is not worth the risk.” She tugged him to shuffle faster across the street and led him into a narrow pass between two rows of buildings. “And besides, once I told him I had a husband, he backed away. I know he is the enemy, but at least he has some morals.”
