Fin opened the carriage door for her and helped her inside.
“I am hopeful I will see you again soon, Lady Agnes. Do take great care,” he said and then placed his hand on his heart and bowed low. “It has been my great pleasure to meet you.”
Before she could respond, he closed the door. From outside of the carriage, low male voices mumbled but she could not make out any specific words. Then one voice rang clear and her belly fluttered at the sound.
“Is aught secure?” The earl’s voice was unmistakable, deep, and steady.
Agnes opened the curtain just for a peek and closed it again quickly when her eye caught his. This would be a torturous journey if they were to never converse. She wanted to tell him she was innocent but would not be so bold as to summon him. She must find a way to glean his thoughts on the matter.
When the carriage jolted a short time later, she realized he had no intention to speak with her at that moment. She sighed heavily and finally looked around the inside of the carriage. The seats were deep and lined with fine pale-green brocade. On one seat rested pillows and blankets and nearby a covered wooden basket with the butt of a loaf of bread poking out. These must be the provisions Fin had mentioned.
Fin. She sensed he had wanted to say so much more to her. She’d known him for such a short time but already was certain he was trustworthy.
Och, but she would go mad in this carriage with no one to converse for the next few days. Did they expect her to sleep here too? Was she to be hidden away not fit to be seen by anyoneelse? Well, by God she would not hide from anyone. Agnes pinned back the curtains and was pleased to discover a portion of the window could be opened and latched onto the side of the carriage from the inside. She did so on both sides and was pleased by the refreshing air moving through her space.
At least now she would not feel as though she were suffocating. Her chest was tight, only partly relieved by the fresh air.
Agnes peered through the window to see a large horse riding to the side of the carriage and upon inspection discovered the same on the other side. A few moments later someone cursed as the carriage halted with a jerk. She was thrown onto the bench across the carriage, air whooshing from her chest.
She was on her knees trying to recover herself when the door opened. Thankfully she landed on the pillows, but her knees would be bruised from hitting the floor so hard.
“Have a care, Lady Agnes,” his deep voice warned.
“Me, have a care?” she asked incredulous when she had not known the carriage would stop like that. “I did not make the carriage stop so quickly.” Her irritation with the whole situation had been building and this last incident was likely to make her blow. Polite address be damned.
Agnes composed herself and took her seat, smoothing out her skirts and keeping her eyes downcast. It was bad enough he’d come upon her in such a state. Must he patronize her as well?
“I am speaking of the windows. You must keep them closed.”
“I will not keep them closed else I will be cooked like last eve’s suckling pig!” She itched to cross her arms over her chest. Instead, she lifted her chin and met his gaze head on.
She would not stake her life on it, but it appeared one corner of his mouth lifted a little, before he drew his lips into a hard line.
“Lady Agnes, I do not wish for your discomfort, but it is imperative that you are not seen.”
So she was right. They were keeping her hidden from sight. Was she to be treated like a leper?
“And why is that? I have not been offered sufficient explanation for any of this,” she said sweeping her arm across the carriage.
“Fin has confirmed he shared information with you as I instructed.”
“He told me the bare minimum, and you know that.”
“There is much at stake and when we are successfully away from the city, I give you my word as a gentleman, you may ask as many questions as you like, and I will answer them all to the best of my ability.”
She considered him for sincerity. His expression was unreadable, unfortunately, and since he held all the power in this situation, she would have to comply.
“Very well, my lord. But the windows remain open, I will unpin the curtains and that will conceal my identity but also provide the free flow of fresh air into the carriage.”
His gaze roamed her face for a few moments before he nodded and closed the door. Not long after, the carriage lurched forward once again, and she contemplated what had just transpired. Was her concealment for her protection and if so from whom? Her uncle was in a prison cell, so he could not harm her. The king had set her up for the utmost of comfort and allowed additional guards along with a personal escort of the earl. Who might that leave? Did they think members of his court would be up in arms about the plot? That wasn’t likely. Agnes was at a loss until she recalled her uncle referring to “we” a great deal in his stories. Maybe they weren’t just stories, maybe he’d been telling her the plan all along. That meant there were other Highlanders out there who would want to be sure she didn’tshare any of their important plans. The sad reality was that she truly possessed no intelligence to impart.
Agnes sat back a little farther into the seat. She would heed the earl’s warning and resist peeking through the windows.
*
The lady wasinfuriating in more ways than one. He could understand her perspective, but until he had time to question her thoroughly, he would be in charge of their journey. For all he knew, she could have ways to drop messages from the carriage. Perhaps this wasn’t the best idea. But it was too late to second guess himself now. He would conceal her until they were well away from the city and then they could talk.
They rode for what felt like hours before he found lodgings where they could rest. He went inside and secured some rooms then returned to the carriage. When he opened the door, he found an open food basket in disarray and a soundly sleeping Lady Agnes.
