Madeleine’s heart thudded painfully. Garrett would have to remain at Mhor Manor. There was no other way. He would be far safer at the estate than riding into Farraline with her.
She closed her eyes, knowing sleep would most likely elude her for the rest of the night. Maybe it was just as well. She needed time to think.
God help her find the right words to sway whatever plans her kinsmen might have made, she prayed fervently. If they branded her a traitor after they knew her change of heart, her brief happiness would be lost.
Chapter 32
“Wake up, Maddie. Please wake up!”
Madeleine’s eyes blinked open at the rude jarring. She was stunned to find Meg bending over her, roughly shaking her shoulder.
“Meg, what are ye doing here?” she said, sleep muddling her thoughts. “Quiet with ye now or ye’ll wake Garrett.”
Meg’s expression was guarded as she shook her blond head. “Major Marshall is gone, Maddie. He’s ridden out with his men.”
“Gone?” Madeleine’s heart lurched in her throat, and she rolled over, wide awake. It was true. The bed was empty but for herself, and the sheets were cold where Garrett had slept. She glanced back at Meg, a blush burning her cheeks. She had always made it a point to be well out of bed before the girls arrived in the morning.
“What’s going on?” she asked, clutching the covers beneath her chin to hide her nakedness. “Where’s Gar— Where’s Major Marshall?”
“He’s gone in search of two of his soldiers,” Meg replied, shifting uneasily. “Seems they went out early this morning to hunt for grouse and never came back. Their horses returned almost an hour past without them.”
Madeleine could hardly believe she had slept so soundly that she hadn’t felt Garrett rise from the bed or heard him leave the room for that matter. Perhaps he hadn’t wanted to wake her.
The last thing she remembered was falling asleep sometime near dawn after lying awake for several hours. She must have been more exhausted from their lovemaking than she realized, despite the worries that she had thought would prevent her from sleeping.
“When did he leave?”
“Only a short while ago, just as Kitty and I arrived at the house. He said to tell ye what had happened and that he’d be back when he found his men.”
Madeleine raised herself on one elbow. “Meg, kindly hand me my dress, if ye would,” she said, nodding to the blue gown lying crumpled on the floor near the fireplace. She winced, rubbing her aching shoulder. “Why did ye have to wake me so roughly?”
Meg picked up the dress, but she did not readily hand it over, nor did she answer Madeleine’s question. Instead she drew a folded piece of paper from her apron pocket and held it out to her.
Madeleine took the paper, noticing that Meg’s hand was trembling. “What’s this?”
“ ‘Tis from Angus,” Meg said. She suddenly turned on her heel and bustled across the room to the massive wardrobe. “I’ll fetch ye one of yer riding gowns, Maddie.
Madeleine stared after her, completely bewildered. Meg was acting so strangely, so unlike herself. Something odd was going on. She could sense it.
She unfolded the letter, quickly perusing Angus’s stilted handwriting. Her brow knit in confusion.
“ ‘Ride as quick as you can to the fork of Aberchalder Burn, Maddie,’” she read aloud. “ ‘You’ve an old friend waiting there to see you. Do not worry, you will not be followed. We’re leading the major and his men on a merry chase this morning. ‘Twill keep them busy ‘til you return. Angus Ramsay.’ ”
What was going on? she wondered wildly, reading the note again. She started when Meg rushed back to her, a pile of clothing draped over her arm, topped by a pair of brogues.
“What do ye know of this, Meg?” she asked sharply. She sat up, still clutching the bedspread over her breasts.
“I’m only doing what I was told, Maddie,” the young woman replied evasively. “Angus said to give ye the note as soon as Major Marshall and his soldiers were gone from the house.”
“Surely ye must have read it,” she accused. “Why’d ye have known to fetch my riding clothes?”
“I dinna read it. Angus told me to see that ye were dressed and sent quickly on yer way, that’s all.”
“Very well, Meg,” Madeleine said, throwing back the covers. “I can dress m’self, thank ye.”
Affronted by her brisk tone, Meg set the clothing on the bed and left the room without another word.
Madeleine dressed hurriedly, her mind in a total quandary.
