David frowned. "I did sense that from them. What do you think they'll do?"
She ate several spoonfuls of porridge while she considered. "My best guess is that they'll get the highest official they can find to support their claim to be my guardians, then they'll come up here with documents saying that I'm mad and must be captured and drugged for my own good."
David looked thoughtful. "Wouldn't there be a question of jurisdiction? The Dawsons are English while you and your property are in Scotland."
"They might not have any legal authority, but if they come, they'll have plenty of documents and bluster to make their case." She waved her hand to indicate Braewood. "This is a substantial property and there's a fair amount of money as well, all of it left to me. The Dawsons want it all and have convinced themselves that they're entitled to claim it because I'm'a weak female who is incapable of running an estate like this,'" Her voice dripped with scorn.
"If they're brandishing the law," David said coolly, "brandish the law right back at them. You're a substantial land owner and women have always had more rights in Scotland than in England. I imagine you know the relevant authorities in this part of Scotland?"
She thought a moment. "Some of them, and I can find the names of others. My uncle was well known and respected. I'm sure his friends would stand by me."
"What if the Dawsons come with force as well as legal documents?"
"They'll have a hard time getting me out of this house!" Caitlin said. "The walls are solid stone and I'm well supplied with weapons and ammunition."
David frowned. "I hope this doesn’t come to a pitched battle. That could go badly wrong."
"I'm sure you know more about such things than any sane person would want to know," she replied. "I don't want a pitched battle, either. But if they try to take me by force, they'll regret it!"
David gave her a slow smile. "If my brother Ian can hold off an Afghan army, you and I can vanquish a pair of criminals and their hired thugs."
His words sent a warm glow through her. "You're assuming I'm a good shot."
"Having seen how you hold a rifle, I know you are. And as I said, you remind me of my formidable sister Juliet."
Thinking of all he'd said about his family, she said, "I think I should be flattered, but your Clan Cameron sounds rather alarming!"
"They're actually quite pleasant and only alarming when facing danger," he assured her.
Caitlin wondered what David was like when facing danger. Quietly formidable, she was sure.
She was about to pour more tea when hard knocking sounded on the kitchen door. Could the Dawsons be here so soon?
There was only one way to find out. Grimly she rose to her feet and headed toward the kitchen door.
6
As Caitlin crossed to the door, David collected his pistol, checked the loading, and followed her, the weapon concealed under his coat. He hoped it wasn't the Dawsons, but if it was, they'd regret is.
Visibly bracing herself, Caitlin opened the door--then fell into the arms of the sturdy silver haired man outside. "Uncle Fergus!"
"You're home and safe, lass!" he exclaimed, hugging her with equal fervor. "It's that worried we've been!"
"Come in and I'll give you tea and tell you what happened." She looked past the newcomer. "And is that Andrew I see?"
A beaming young man who looked much like Fergus entered the kitchen and also hugged Caitlin. "We saw smoke coming from the chimney and wondered if you'd returned. We even brought your horse Maeve because we hoped you were here. Welcome home, lass!"
"Wonderful! Thank you so much for taking care of Maeve." She hugged Andrew back. "You and Jenny should be married by now?"
"Aye, we were tired of waiting," he said apologetically. "We both wished you could have been there."
She smiled ruefully. "So do I."
As the three entered the kitchen, Caitlin said, "It was a great comfort to know that you'd be looking after the livestock and the house while I was gone, Fergus."
"Of course we did, but you were gone so long that we were getting really worried." Fergus spotted David and his bushy brows rose. "And who might this be? Another Dawson?"
Caitlin had protective friends. Good. "No, my name is David Cameron," he said. "I happened to be staying in the George Inn when the Dawsons brought in Caitlin gagged and in chains, claiming she was mad. She escaped into the middle of the blizzard that night, and I went after her in the mistaken belief that she might need rescuing." He smiled at Caitlin. "She didn't, but she gave me credit for trying."
