Page 58 of Almost a Countess

“I know nothing of thisMajor Collins.” The lieutenant looked rather wild with the sword,whipping it this way and that. “I’m the officer in command of thesemen, and I am sworn to take my prisoner to my garrison inEdinburgh.”

“Lieutenant, I will gladlyturn myself in tae Major Collins tomorrow and inform him myself o’my transgression.” Finn ran his hand through his hair, glad to berid of the hot wig. He’d be even happier to be out of these heavyskirts, but that would have to come later. He still had to convinceScarlet to let him go for the night. “If he deems there is tae be atrial, I will retain counsel and let the judge decide my innocenceor guilt. And if punishment is tae be meted out, it will be at thehands o’ someone more temperate than ye.”

Scarlet scowled at him then cut hisgaze over to Mr. Perry, the duchess, and the plethora of otherwitnesses. By agreeing to surrender himself to a greater authoritythan the lieutenant, Finn hoped he’d cut Scarlet’s legs out fromunder him. The innkeeper and all the others had understood all toowell what Scarlet had allowed his men to do to Dora. Knew too theofficer had overstepped the boundaries of decency in doing so.They’d more likely support Finn at this point.

“I demand you surrenderyourself to me tonight, Aberfoyle.” Scarlet pointed his sword atFinn’s chest. “Tomorrow, we’ll head to Nottingham, and you can tellyour story to the major. But I’m not letting you out of my sighttonight.”

“I plan tae sleep in thisbed tonight, lieutenant. Ye and yer men are welcome tae sit outsidemy door all night long.” Finn sketched a bow. “However, I draw theline at four odd bedfellows.” Finn frowned. “Dinna ye have a fifthman under yer command when last we met?”

“Lackland’s out with thehorses, my lord.” Gates had spoken up, but a scathing look fromScarlet shut him up quickly.

“Och, well, that accountsfor that. Gentlemen, ladies,” he bowed to Dora and the duchess,“’tis late, and we have an early morning on the road taeNottingham, sae if ye will excuse me, I need taechange—”

“I know you don’t think mefool enough to allow you to stay in this room tonight, Aberfoyle.”A deep scowl on his face, Lieutenant Scarlet seemed ready to comeacross the bed and throttle Finn. “You’d slip out the window beforeI could set a watch outside the door. No, if you stay the night inthis room, it won’t be alone.” He sneered at Dora. “And it won’t bewith your lady-bird, either.”

Finn started across the bed, intent onkilling the swine, when small, strong hands grasped him frombehind.

“No, Finn,” Dorawhispered, “don’t let him goad you into attacking him. Then hecould kill you and say it was justified.”

“I willna allow him taeslander ye with such names,” he whispered back, touching her face.He loved her so very much at this moment he thought he might diewith the fullness in his heart.

“They are only names. Weknow they are not true. For God’s sake, let it go.”

Finn nodded. He couldn’t lose his headand give Scarlet the satisfaction of skewering him.

“My aunt and I will letLord Aberfoyle stay in our room with us and our maids tonight.”Dora looked at her aunt, who nodded. “Will that suffice,lieutenant?”

“Hah,” Scarlet scoffed.“You’re already in league with him. I’d as soon put a mouse incharge of a wheel of cheese. He’d be out the window and down theroad before the door clicked shut. No, he’ll stay within our sightall night, thank you.” He turned to Mr. Perry. “Innkeeper, do youhave a room with good stout lock that has no windows? It doesn’thave to be one of your bedchambers, just a safe place Aberfoylecan’t pick his way out of.”

Mr. Perry put his hand on his chin,thinking. “There’s only the cellar. I keep the wine down there. Iget parties of gentry or nobility who want a good bottleoccasionally. I keep it under lock and key.”

“That’ll do.” Scarletwaved his sword. “Lead us to it, if you please, sir.”

Finn turned to follow Mr. Perry whenDora grabbed his hand. “Finn, you can’t sleep in a winecellar.”

“If I canna be with ye, Ihave nae qualm being locked in with the wine.” He looped her handthrough his arm. “Besides, who said ye canna come visit me whileI’m there?”

Dora cut her gaze at Scarlet, stillpointing his sword at them. “Do you think he’ll put up afuss?”

Finn shrugged, and they hurried afterMr. Perry. “There are too many witnesses tae this little escapade.If he disna act honorably tonight, it will be all over the town inthe morning and will spread from there.” He patted her hand. “Idinna trust him, but I think we will be fine. Once we get taeNottingham and confront Major Collins, it may go differently. I’mno’ sure how stringently they regard the breaking o’ the Dress Act,but at least someone other than Scarlet will be hearing thecase.”

They wound their way down to thekitchen where Mr. Perry revealed a set of stone steps leading underthe inn. He picked up a lantern and lit it from the fireplace.“Follow me.”

Finn stared at the gray granitestairs, and a chill raced down his back. “Dora, perhaps instead yeshould return tae yer room.” He untucked her hand and kissed it.“Ye canna stay wi’ me all night and it’s likely cold and damp downthere. Get yer rest and I will see ye in the morning.”

She raised up on tiptoe and kissed himhard and long, her sweet mouth the best solace.

“Come on, Aberfoyle.”Gates shoved him away from Dora.

Much as Finn would have loved to plantthe man a facer, he shrugged it off. “Jealous, Gates?”

The soldier narrowed his eyes at Finnand shoved him roughly again. “Get on wi’ ya.”

The stairs were narrow and steep butnot terribly long. Four steps brought them to a barred opening, ahuge iron padlock on the gate. The innkeeper took a monstrous keyon a chain from around his neck, inserted it, and turned. The lockpopped open, and Mr. Perry pushed the gate in. He held the lanternup high, revealing a stone floor and several rows of rough-hewnwine racks. “There’s enough space for you to sit or lie down, mylord. Not much other comfort, I’m afraid.”

“If I can have yer bestbottle o’ wine and a glass tae keep me company, I’ll not mind atall, Mr. Perry.” Finn peered into what amounted to a cave, thechill making him suddenly glad for the thick skirts he stillwore.

“Wait.” Scarlet pushedpast him. “I’ll just make certain there’s no other way out.” Heducked into the opening and stopped. The back wall was only a halfdozen paces away and no way out. He spun around. “Very good. Lockhim in, Mr. Perry.” The lieutenant shot a look of pure malice atFinn. “I’ll post one of my men at the top of thestairs.”