Page 23
He truly did have the most delicious voice. The kind that made a woman want to lay her head against the broad expanse of his chest and listen to the vibrations when he spoke.
Good God. Where had that twaddle originated?
Perchance, Etherington had struck her harder than she’d realized and addled her.
“As ’tis rainin’ steadily, he wasna overly pleased on bein’ denied the comfort of the coach. Montieth, I presume, is still in Edinburgh, although he’s supposed to collect ye from Etherin’ton in a few days.”
They must’ve plotted that while she was unconscious.
Camden cut a glance at the black night sky. “I dinna ken what their specific arrangements were, and Etherin’ton isna exactly being forthcomin’ on the matter after I broke his nose.”
He’d broken Etherington’s nose? Good for him.
What time was it, anyway?
Branwen, Marjorie, and Keane would be frantic by now.
Tears burned behind her eyelids.
Branwen would blame herself.
Resolutely, Bethea blinked the moisture away. Naught could be done now. She’d fret about that later, and perhaps how to contrive a means of getting a message to them, as well. Right now, she must focus on these dire circumstances.
She slid Camden a furtive glance beneath her lashes.
“Camden, I’m verra confused.” She gathered his coat tighter around her. “How did ye come to be here?”
She tried to keep her voice steady, but an inflection of suspicion and misgivings colored her question.
He heard the nuance, and disbelief illuminated his gaze before his blue eyes became shuttered. He ripped the cap from his head and tossed it on the seat, the line of his mouth grim. “I canna tell ye everythin’, lass. But I can vow ye’ll be safe with me.”
“Are ye a smuggler?” She’d heard whispers that he was, but had dismissed them as rubbish. Now, however…
One raven eyebrow arched, and then he astonished her by chuckling. “Aye, I used to be. Also a marauder, but only when directed by His Majesty.” He gave her a devilish wink.
Good God,was he a spy?
Was he trying to shock her?
She’d had quite enough shock for one day, thank you very much.
“Camden, be serious. Right now, it verra much appears that ye are part of the conspiracy to see me ravished by Montieth.” She sucked in a calming breath. “I am havin’ a difficult time believin’ that about ye—”
“Och, thank ye for that.” He cut her a curt glance and appeared genuinely offended.
“What else am I supposed to think?” She threw a hand up and immediately regretted the sudden motion when her aching skull soundly objected. “The last thing I remember was Montieth tellin’ Etherin’ton to take me with him, and he’d make it worth his while.”
“Nae, I’m nae conspirator. Set yer mind at ease about that.” Camden scraped a big hand through his hair. “Sir Phillip Etherin’ton is a traitor, however, and I’m turnin’ him over to an English agent awaitin’ us. That’s all I can tell ye. I’m sorry.”
Her lower lip caught between her teeth, she probed his gaze. Either he was a fantastical liar, or he spoke the truth.
She’d bet her life on the latter, and her instinct had never steered her wrong before. But then again, she’d never been abducted and awoken to a spy reassuring her.
The list!
Bethea had almost forgotten.
She leaned forward and earnestly clasped his hand resting atop his marbled thigh. “Etherin’ton has a list. The names of peers and…and others who have vowed to depose the King.”
