He shook his head. “Sir Roderick went with them.”
“Dear God! He—is not happy with either of us. And Sean is there, and my grandparents do not know what has happened. He could tell them anything!”
“Just what I was thinking,” he said grimly. “So I have to go now. I just came to say farewell.”
“I am going with you,” she said, straightening her shoulders, her hands still in his.
“Stay here. I will see to this.”
“I am going with you. Mrs. Shaw!” she said, turning. “Mr. Hamilton—I am leaving for Caransay with Dougal—Mr. Stewart.”
“My lady,” Angela Shaw said.
“Meg, listen,” Dougal urged. “He could be dangerous this time. You cannot go, madam. I do not want you to go,” he amended through clenched teeth.
Guy Hamilton stepped forward. “May I ask the problem, sir? Madam?”
“Roderick Matheson,” Dougal said.
“He knows,” Meg said, turning toward the others. “Dougal knows now. And Roderick knows about Sean too. We have to get out there!” Her voice went thin and desperate.
“It will be fine, dear,” Dougal said.
“We need tickets for the train to Glasgow, and boat passage to the Isles,” she said. “Angela, if you please, I will need a satchel of clothing, a traveling cape, a few other things.”
“Right away,” Angela Shaw said, grabbing her skirts to rush upstairs.
“I will go to the station with you to make arrangements.” Guy hurried into the study.
“Too much fuss,” Dougal grumbled. “We can buy tickets at Waverley Station. And you can wear whatever your grandmother can lend you. We have no time. We must go.”
“I need a few things, sir. And I do not handle cash. Mr. Hamilton handles the cash and makes my travel arrangements. We need the carriage brought round, too.” Meg called the butler’s name. He appeared, nodded, disappeared.
“I hired a carriage from Glasgow to Oban already, and sent word to have a boat waiting,” Dougal said. “We will have to travel as husband and wife, though. You want to avoid scrutiny.”
“Thank you.” She smiled.
He looked up to see Mrs. Shaw racing down the stairs with a tapestry satchel in one hand, something lacy spilling from its opening. Dougal took it, thanked her, and went to the door where Meg waited. Angela Shaw helped her shrug into a traveling coat while they spoke quietly.
The butler reappeared to open the door just as Guy came toward them with a wallet that he pressed into Meg’s hands.“This should be sufficient for the trip, madam. If you need more, send word.”
“I can take care of other expenses,” Dougal said. “But thank you.” Hamilton nodded, and Dougal sensed quick understanding there.
Mrs. Shaw helped Meg don a black beribboned bonnet. “Madam, you need an escort if you are to travel with a man. Give me a moment to gather some things and I can go with you.”
“I already have an escort, dear. Mr. Stewart—Dougal is my husband.”
“Your what?” Hamilton said as he and Mrs. Shaw both stared at her. “When?”
“We are married,” Meg said, her cheeks flushed. “We were married years ago.” She looked up at Dougal, who took her hand. “We kept it secret. It was not—we were not—certain it would last.” Blushing, she glanced at him.
Hamilton lifted a bemused brow. “You two are full of surprises.”
“We can take vows in a ceremony,” Dougal said, “when the lady decides what she wants.”
“Aye, soon! Farewell, my dears,” Meg said, hugging Angela Shaw again, then kissing Hamilton’s cheek. She whirled to rush out the door as Dougal waited for her to precede him, just as the carriage came around the corner from its stable behind the row of houses.
Once inside, Dougal kissed her hand. “I am glad you are going with me after all.”
