It was at least easy to imagine what had caught Bennett’s eye. Not only was Lady Amelia the daughter of a duke, providing the highest social connections, but she also was beautiful beyond imagining.
Duncan found himself conjuring up images of what had happened between them in the field, when he had her on her back, squirming and rubbing up against him. She’d ignited his aggressions to such a shocking degree, it had taken every ounce of self-control he possessed to keep from taking her right then and there. It was difficult to say what might have occurred if Fergus and Gawyn hadn’t arrived when they had, for he wasstillhungry for her.
Focusing his attention on the task of grooming Turner’s coat, he reminded himself that he shouldn’t be thinking about his prisoner that way and that he should avoid such thoughts in the future. She was an object to him. She was his enemy and his bait, nothing more. He could not forget that.
“I don’t know,” he said, “but I intend to find out.”
Angus strode to the cave and looked in. “Then what? An eye for an eye?”
Duncan’s gut churned. This was a dirty business, and he loathed it.
“I haven’t decided yet.” He left his horse to graze. “Go wait for the others on the ridge. I’llneed some time alone with her.”
“How much time?”
“A few hours at least.”
He felt Angus’s gaze on his back as he entered the darkchillof the cave.
“To do what, Duncan?”
“I told you, I don’t know yet. But I’m tired and irritable, so just leave me in peace until I figure it out.”
* * *
The fast-approaching Royal North British Dragoons were spotted in the distance by a young soldier, who was positioned on FortWilliam’s high northwall. “Colonel Bennett returns!” he shouted, and there was a flurry of activity in the courtyard below. Groomsmen hastened to fil buckets from water barrels, and foot soldiers lined up with their muskets on their shoulders, the straps of their haversacks slung across their chests.
The thunderous rumble of hooves signaled the time to open the gates, and the impressive mounted regiment of soldiersgallopedinto the fort.
Lieutenant-colonel Richard Bennett was the first to dismount. He withdrew the important contents of his saddlebags, then handed his horse over to a groomsman.
Striding toward Colonel Worthington’s quarters, Richardpulledoff his gloves and removed his cavalry helmet.
His saber bounced against his thigh as he walked with single-minded purpose to address Worthington, for he had news to report. He’d burned another crofter’s cottage, where he’d found maps, weapons, and letters from a number of known Jacobites.
A moment later, Richard was received by his commander.
He was not prepared, however, for the unsettling image before him when he stepped through the door.
The snowy-haired Duke of Winslowe was seated in a chair, and the colonel was standing over him with a glass of brandy, which the duke seemedunwillingor unable to accept, because he was too distraught.
“Thank God you’re back,” Worthington said, turning from Winslowe. “Something dreadful has occurred, and wewillneed to rely on both your discretion and your resolve to set things right, Bennett.”
“You have my utmost cooperation, Colonel Worthington.”
“It concerns Lady Amelia.”
Worthington paused, and Richardswallowed heavily, bracing himself for the news that the colonel seemed reluctant to report. “What has occurred?”
The commanding officer breathed deeply, then at last conveyed the details. “Your betrothed was abducted last night.”
Richard stood motionless, clenching his jaw, until he could locate the composure and self-control required to speak calmly. “Abducted? By whom?”
“There is evidence to suggest it was the Butcher of the Highlands.”
Richard’s upper lip twitched. He took a step forward. “You aretellingme that that savage has takenmyfiancée from inside the heavily guarded,fully garrisoned stonewalls of FortWilliam?”
The portly duke looked up at him and nodded. “My niece,”
