The moment was over too soon. Suddenly she spied him, and he watched the smile fade from her lips. She looked surprised, then her expression became guarded. He sobered as well, feeling a twinge of resignation as he recalled yesterday’s discussion with Sergeant Fletcher.
Three weeks. That’s all he had left. He had hoped to have enough time to win her trust, to develop some understanding between them, perhaps even to…
Thunderous desire ripped through him, his senses reliving the fleeting instant at the loch when he had held Madeleine in his arms. He could feel once again her firm breasts pressed against him, her lips, warm and exciting, opened to him like the ruby-red petals of a flower to the sun, moist and eager for his kiss. With supreme effort he forced his mind back to the urgent matter at hand, though his body was not so easily swayed.
Think of your mission! he berated himself. Your duty! When so many innocent lives were at stake, this was not a time to think of his own selfish needs, his burgeoning desire—
Garrett started. For the first time he realized that was exactly what he had been doing. He had been thinking only of himself. He stared at Madeleine, who was drawing ever closer, though she had slowed her pace.
Well, no more, he thought grimly. The sooner he spoke with her about Black Jack, the better. Either she would believe him and agree to help him, telling him anything she knew about the brigand, or she would not. Of course, there was always the chance she knew nothing.
Garrett turned away, frowning. He didn’t even want to consider that possibility! He addressed his sergeant, keeping his voice low so it would not carry.
“Fletcher, see that the men go about their assigned duties today,” he ordered quietly. “Double the guard as we discussed, and send a patrol of four men on horseback to Farraline. Have them check in every two hours, then on the sixth hour change the patrol. Any questions?”
“No, sir,” Sergeant Fletcher said, hauling his bulky frame to his feet. He glanced beyond Garrett’s shoulder to Madeleine, who was strolling through the dense fir trees bordering the disheveled lawn. His expression was anxious as he sought his commander’s face once again. “Are you sure you want to tell her, captain?”
Without a word, Garrett nodded firmly. He turned and strode across the lawn, ignoring his stiff, aching muscles. He easily narrowed the distance between himself and Madeleine.
“Good morning,” he said pleasantly, noting the wariness in her stunning blue eyes. It hurt him that there was little welcome shining in those amazing depths, yet his amiable tone did not betray his feelings. “I see you’ve been for a swim.”
Madeleine stopped, gripping her towel in both hands. Garrett’s deep voice thrilled her, though she tried hard not to show it. She swiftly appraised him.
She almost had not believed her eyes when she saw him standing near the cooking tent. She had expected him to remain in bed for at least another day or so. Now here he was, looking none the worse for his illness.
“Good day to ye, Captain Mar—,” she paused, then quickly decided it made no difference. “Garrett.” She avoided the unnerving subject of the loch altogether, an intimate moment she would rather forget. “Ye’re looking well.”
“Yes, I feel much better,” he said, smiling. “I wanted to thank you again for what you did for me. It was so…unexpected.”
“‘Twas no matter,” she mumbled, pretending interest in a colorful patch of wildflowers.
Better to squelch any ideas he might have about why she had nursed him, she thought nervously. She didn’t want him to imagine that she cared.
She glanced back at him and said nonchalantly, “Glenis couldna tend ye all on her own, Garrett. She needed my help. I canna have her working herself to the bone for every crisis besetting my house. We seem to have quite an abundance these days.”
Madeleine saw that her words had the desired effect. His face darkened, but only for a moment. In the next instant he was studying her curiously, as if he was trying to discern her thoughts. She lowered her eyes, suddenly flustered.
“Would you like to go for a ride, Madeleine?” he asked, ignoring her breezy statement. “I would relish the exercise and it would give us a chance to talk privately. I have a matter of some importance to discuss with you.”
Madeleine fought to breathe steadily and to keep her voice calm. “Glenis said ye asked about going for a ride the other day.”
“Yes, I did,” he said with a short laugh. “That was before…” He indicated the healing gash on his forehead with a wave of his hand. “It was postponed a few days, that’s all. Perhaps we could ride along Loch Ness, on Wade’s Road? I enjoy that route, and Foyer’s Falls is breathtaking.”
“Aye, ‘tis a beautiful place. One of my favorites,” she agreed, her calm response belying her tumbling thoughts.
At last she would have answers to her plaguing questions! Neither the previous night’s raid nor her morning swim had distracted her as she had hoped they would. She nodded. “I’ll ride with ye, Garrett.”
“Good. Shall we meet within the half hour in front of the house? I’ll have your mare saddled for you.”
“Aye, very well. If ye’ll excuse me, I’ll go and change.” She rushed past him in a flurry of blue skirts, petticoats, and tousled chestnut curls.
Confused, Garrett watched her disappear around the house. He had not expected her to accept his invitation so readily, at least not without some explanation of why he wanted to speak with her. She had spurned him soundly on every other occasion when he had asked her to accompany him so they might talk.
Except for yesterday, he thought. Perhaps the short time they had spent together had softened her opinion of him after all.
Chapter 13
“I’ll lead the way, if ye dinna mind, Garrett,” Madeleine said when they set out from Mhor Manor twenty minutes later. A curious smile tugged at Garrett’s mouth, and she thought he might protest, but instead he inclined his head in deference to her wishes.
