“Ye approached Grant’s men. They were not approaching ye.”
“They fired first!”
“I’d like to see ye prove that.” McLeod motioned for his men to take Arran away.
“No.” Arran fought to get free. “You willna get away with this.”
McLeod ignored him and returned his attention to Eleanor’s journal, one eyebrow raised, as if he was reading something sordid.
“Please,” Eleanor begged, trying to free herself from the grasp of another Nor’wester. Her fatigue was evident as she weakened in his hold. “Do not take him.”
“Unhand her,” Arran yelled at the Nor’wester. “She’s a lady!”
“Dinna fash, Lady Eleanor.” McLeod nodded at the large man to let her go. “I will send one of my best men to make sure ye and the others arrive safely at Jack River House.”
Rage pounded in Arran’s chest and he tried to lash out, but another brute came to help the first two men haul Arran toward McLeod’s canoes.
“Arran!” Eleanor rushed after them, alarm in her eyes. “Where will they take you?”
“I dinna ken.” He shook his head, wishing he knew. “Montreal, mayhap.” He stopped fighting his captors, and, at McLeod’s nod, they eased up a bit. The other men were gathering the books and papers they had found among the settlers’ things and returning to the river.
He didn’t have much time with Eleanor.
“Where should I go?” she asked. “Shall I make my way to Montreal?”
Arran shook his head, confused. “No. It would be too dangerous. Stay at Jack River House. I will get word to you once I ken what will happen.”
“Will they—” She choked on the words and put her hand to her mouth. “Hang you?”
The courts in Montreal were influenced and populated by North West Company employees. His chances of a fair trial were almost infinitesimal. He could not make any promises, but he couldn’t let her fret, either. “I will do everything in my power to return to you.”
It would be dangerous for Eleanor to be on her own. He didn’t want to contemplate all the horrors that might await her. He tried to think, but everything had happened too fast.
“Old John,” he said suddenly. He looked around the settlers, his gaze panicked.
“I’m here,” Old John said to Arran, coming to his side as the Nor’westers started to force Arran to the boats.
Arran was breathless as he said, “See to Eleanor and Miriam, please.”
“Aye.” Old John placed his hand over his heart. “Ye have my word.”
They were at the riverside and Arran was pulled into the water. “Thank you,” he said, turning his gaze back to Eleanor, helpless to stop this madness. “I’m sorry.”
“I love you,” she said, reaching for him.
Their fingertips grazed as he was pushed into the canoe.
“I love you, too. Kiss Miriam for me.”
Eleanor nodded as the other Nor’westers entered the river all around her, their arms laden with more than books and papers. They had stolen the very few precious possessions the settlers had left.
McLeod came to her side, Eleanor’s journal in his hands. “I wish ye well, Lady Eleanor. It was a pleasure to meet ye.” Hesmiled and lifted the journal. “Thank ye for this riveting account. I will thoroughly enjoy reading it. I have a feeling it will aid me in convicting your fiancé.”
Eleanor’s cheeks became pale as her lips began to tremble.
McLeod entered his own boat and called to his men to push off and head south toward the settlement.
The last thing Arran saw as the boats turned the bend was Eleanor standing on the banks of the Red River, sobbing.
