But while the woman spoke of colorful blossoms and crystal vases, Amelia could barely concentrate on the conversation, for she was distracted by thoughts of Duncan and what had transpired in bed the other night, when he had revealed his concern that Richard would come to the castle to win her back. Duncan was worried that he would not be able to resistkillingRichard.
She did not want Duncan to suffer with such self-doubt.
She wanted to help him see that he was a good man and could put his past behind him. He was not like his father. She knew Duncan was not.
A knock sounded at the front door and interrupted her thoughts, aswellas Mrs. Logan’s presentation of the flowers.
Briefly flustered by the intrusion, Mrs. Logan rose from her chair to answer it.
Atall, broad-shouldered castle guard stepped inside. He wore the MacLean tartan, and his hand was squeezing impatiently around the hilt of his sword.
“I have orders,” he said, “to escort Lady Amelia back to the castle at once.”
“Has something happened?” she asked, feeling a rush of panic as she stood. Josephine stood up aswell.
“Aye, milady. The Moncrieffe militia has returned with the redcoats.”
She took in a quick, sharp breath. “Do you mean to say that Colonel Bennett is here?”
“Aye. I’m to ride inside your coach with you, and I’m not to let you out of my sight until I deliver you safely to thegalleryin the keep.”
She strode to the door and saw more than twenty mounted clansmen waiting outside—al carrying shields, swords, and muskets. It seemed she had her own personal army of protectors.
She backed up into the miller’s cottage. “Surely this is unnecessary. The lieutenant-colonel is my former fiancé, and we are not at war with his regiment, are we? Surely he just wishes to speak with Lord Moncrieffe and ensure thatalliswell.”
At least she hoped that was the case, and she hoped Duncan would assure Richard as such. Then Richard could be on his way. Disappointed by her rejection, perhaps, but alive.
ThetallHighlander shrugged. “It’s not for me to say, milady. I’m justfollowingorders. I’m to see you safely back to the castle.”
She squared her shoulders. “Of course.” She turned to the miller’s wife. “I do apologize, Mrs. Logan. Perhaps we can continue this another day?”
“My door is always open to you, milady.” The woman did her best to appear calm, but her cheeks were flushed with color.
A short time later, Amelia and Josephine were seated inside the coach, with thetallHighlander situated across from them. He kept his eyes fixed on the door atalltimes.
While the heavy vehicle rumbled along the road, no one said much of anything. The tension inside the coach was palpable. Outside, they were surrounded by a fierce contingent of Highland warriors on horseback, and it seemed as if they were driving straight into the very heart of afull-blown battle, already in progress.
Amelia hoped this was just a precaution and wondered what Duncan imagined would occur when she arrived. It was highly probable that Richard would wish to speak to her privately and ascertain that this union was of her choosing.
Perhaps he was angry, or believed that Duncan had forced her hand. In that case, she would do her best to explain her change of heart and somehow make Richard understand that she was happy—otherwise he might feelcompelledto fight for her, and that could lead to an awkward set of circumstances. She must doallshe could to prevent him from saying or doing anything that might provoke Duncan.
She would do her best to explain her feelings and convince Richard to leave.
As for the other issues regarding Duncan’s official inquiry into Richard’salleged crimes as a soldier, which would be afullaffront to his honor as an officer and a gentleman …well, she hoped the charges would be laid at FortWilliam, not Moncrieffe, so that Duncan could be distanced from it.
The coach hit a bump and she bounced on the seat and wondered anxiously where her uncle stood inallof this. He had not mentioned Richard since he arrived, and he had been absent a great deal of the time. He had not asked Amelia how she felt about ending her engagement, nor had Duncan spoken of her uncle’s opinions on the matter since that first night. They had both been curiously silent about Richard, which caused her some uneasiness now, as the coach rattled over the stone bridge and through the gate tower.
They emerged out of the archway into the bright, sunny bailey. She and Josephine sat forward and peered out the windows.
There was noise and confusion in the yard—kilted Highlanders shouting to one another, the clang of metal against metal as they practiced their maneuvers. Horses—restless and spooked by the sounds of battle—whinnied and reared up. In the east corner Amelia saw a splash of red as the coach rumbled by. It was a cluster of English soldiers, sitting together in the grass.
The coachpulledup in front of the castle door. The Highlander who had been assigned to deliver her to the keep hopped out first, then took her firmly by the arm. He seemed determined to reach thegallerywithout stopping, and she had to pick up her skirts and scurry to keep up with him.
He led her through the front entrancehalland across the bridge corridor to the keep at the rear. They crossed the long banquetinghalland at last reached the gallery. The Highlander opened the arched door and pushed her through it. She stumbled inside; then the door swung shut behind her, and a key turned in the lock. The Highlander’s footsteps disappeared down the length of the banquetinghall.
Suddenly she was alone.allwas quiet.
Amelia stood for a moment and stared at the keyhole, then abruptly turned away and walked to the window. She looked out at the calm lake and studied the reflection of the trees upon the water.
