“What nonsense. No one can anticipate the actions of a madman.”
“I left ye here alone, didnae I? Despite Big Jim’s threats. That was a mistake. I shallnae make it again.”
“Do you think someone’ll be trying to grab her again?” asked Willie.
“They were mad enough to try it once. Aye, they might well try it again. I cannae ignore that possibility just because I see no sense in it.”
Clover tensed when he reached out to cover her hand with his. She longed for him to pull her into his arms, but he still made no move to do so. Her ordeal seemed to have put a wide gulf between them, yet she did not understand why. It should be bringing them closer together.
“Did they hurt ye, Clover?” he asked.
“No, save for a few bruises. The hurting was to come later.”
“When Thomas arrived.”
“Yes. Thomas has hired Big Jim and his friends to do the brutish work for him.”
“Here come your brother and the others, MacGregor, and some folk in a carriage,” said Willie, looking out the window. “Now you got some help to chase that varmint Big Jim.”
The riders and the carriage halted in front of the house. Clover suddenly realized that everyone would see her in her bedraggled state and stood with the intention of fleeing up to her room. But before she could accomplish that, her mother stepped inside the house, caught sight of her, and cried out in alarm. Agnes broke free of Colin’s guiding hand and rushed over to Clover. Molly was quick to follow. Clover sighed. She was not sure she was strong enough to endure another round of questions and explanations.
Ballard saw how pale Clover was, and the moment Agnes and Molly reached her side, he ordered, “Ye women take Clover upstairs. She can tell ye what has happened as ye tend to her. The boy can tell us anything else we need to know.”
“His name is Willie,” Clover murmured as she was led away.
“Willie, is it?” Ballard asked the boy.
He nodded. “The missus said she hated the name Morrisey done gave me so we decided on another.”
“We found the mare, Ballard,” Shelton said. “Now what the devil has been going on here?”
“Can you use some help?” Colin asked, Jonathan at his side.
“If ye are nae too tired to go riding after some vermin—aye.” Both men nodded and Ballard looked at the twins. “Fetch some water and take it up to your sister.” When they hesitated, he added, “Dinnae fret. Ye will get the whole story before the night is over.” As soon as they were gone, he turned to Willie. “Weel, laddie, tell us again what happened. Tell us everything ye ken.”
As Willie spoke, Ballard grew angrier and angrier. A lot of that anger was directed at himself. He had played the fool from the start. He should have seen that the missing mare was a lure to draw him away from Clover. He should never have left her alone.
“I should have seen the trap for what it was,” he muttered when Willie finished his tale.
“You cannot hold yourself responsible, Ballard,” said Jonathan.
“Nay? I should have listened to Big Jim’s threats more closely. I should never have left Clover alone. Shelton, Lambert, get us some fresh horses. Tell Adam what we are about and ask him to stay here to guard the women and the twins. I dinnae think we have much chance of catching the bastards, but I have to try.” He turned back to Willie. “Are ye staying the night?”
“Nope.” He grasped Ballard’s shirtsleeve and tugged him closer. “Can I be asking you something, sir?”
“If ye are quick.” Ballard saw Jonathan and Colin move away, giving them some privacy.
“Why didn’t you give your missus a hug when she come back? I thought folk like you did that sorta thing.”
“Because I am an idiot.” He sighed when the boy ignored that and waited for a better answer. “Weel,maybe because Clover is a fine, learned, and pretty lass and I am an illiterate Scotsman with grand ideas and no money. Maybe because I failed her.”
“Nah, you ain’t failed her. She don’t think so neither. I be that sure of it. And you being what you are? Why should that matter? Hellfire, if your missus was one of them what care about money and fancy ideas, why would she be so nice to me?” He shook his head. “I be thinking that marriage mighta addled your wits.”
“There is a verra good chance ye are right. Are ye sure ye willnae spend the night here?”
“Real sure.” Willie held out the hunting knife. “You’ll be wanting this back, I reckon.”
“Aye. I see ye went after her weel armed. Clever lad. ‘Twill be dark soon. Do ye need someone to take ye home?”
