Highland Soldiers: The Betrayal (9 page)

“Aye, he woke me out of a sound sleep,” Charlie said.

Distressed, Jenny cut him off. “Whatever for? He said nothing to me.”

That caught Charlie’s attention. “Why should he tell you?”

Jenny looked away and thought quickly. He did not know that she and Duncan had been together. But how could she find out what she needed to know without rousing curiosity.

Charlie said, “He’s been selling his father’s whisky to pay off his debt to your father.” Alex shot a sharp look, prompting Charlie to mumble the end of the sentence.

Jenny frowned at the thought of what Duncan had gone through because of her father and his.

Seeing her worried expression, Alex said, “Charlie, you’d be of more use finishing up in the byre.”

“I’m of use wherever I am.” Charlie smirked, but a glare from Alex put an end to it. “Ah well, I should get back now. I’ve got something important to do.” He muttered to himself as he left them. “I dinnae know what it is, but as soon as I do, I’ll tell you. I’m sure you’ll be eager to hear it.”

Alex waited until Charlie was far enough away not to hear. “I know about you and Duncan. He told me.”

“And Charlie?”

“No, although he’s no fool. He likely suspects.”

Jenny shrugged. “’Tis of no matter now. My father knows. We only kept it from you because you would tease us without mercy. There’s no fun in that now.” Jenny gazed into the distance. Her thoughts were with Duncan. “Inverlochy?” She said it more to herself than to Alex.

Alex said gently, “He wishes to pay off his debt. I am sure he did not wish to trouble you with it.”

“When will he be back?”

“Soon enough.”

“No, he won’t.”

That caught Alex off guard. “Why?”

“When did he say he’d return?”

Alex shrugged. “When he’s sold his cartload of whisky.”

Jenny held back her impatience. “How long will that take?”

“I dinnae know. If he sells it quickly, he’ll return with an empty cart. Even so, a horse needs to rest on the way.” Alex shrugged. “A bit more than a day?” He peered at her. “You’re fair shaking. What is it, hen?” With a light touch to her elbow, he said, “Here, sit down.”

“On the ground?”

Alex grinned. “Aye, ‘tis good ground, and it’s solid–unlike your legs, at the moment.”

Jenny did as he told her. She peered at the dark clouds. “What has Duncan told you?”

Alex hesitated. “That he loves you.”

“I love him, too.”

“But you’re marrying Tavish.”

“I never meant to.”

Alex leveled a knowing look at her. “Getting married is rarely an accident.”

Jenny heaved an impatient sigh. “I had to let them believe I’d agreed until Duncan came home.”

Alex said, “It’s a dangerous game you are playing.”

“I was forced.”

“Forced?” Alex turned to her angrily. “Lass, has he hurt you?”

Jenny shook her head. “Not Tavish. My father. He arranged it. He left me with no choice.”

Alex studied her.

Jenny looked at him. “Marriages are arranged all the time. You think little of it until it happens to you.” She gave him a moment to consider her plight. “You will think me a terrible wanton.” She forced the rest out. “Yesterday, Tavish saw me with Duncan. We were…together. Alone.”

Alex peered at her, his question unvoiced.

“It is just as you’re thinking.” Before Alex had a chance to react, Jenny continued. “Tavish went straight to my father, and now they have moved up the wedding.”

Alex opened his mouth, but before he could speak, Jenny said, “I’m to be married tomorrow!”

“Duncan will never stand for it.”

“Nor will I, which is why I must go to him.”

“’Tis out of the question. Even if you knew where he was, you’re in no position to make such a trip.”

“But I must.”

“Your father will have Duncan’s head on a pike.”

“Not if Duncan takes me away with him.”

“And his parents? Or have you forgotten about them?”

“They can come with us.”

“And how will you live? Do you not know that the money is gone? His father gambled it all away.” Alex put his hand on hers. “Lass, this is a battle that no one can win.”

“No, you’re wrong.”

Alex had nothing to offer but sympathy.

“I will not lose him, Alex.” As determined as she was, tears welled up in her eyes to betray her own doubts.

Alex pulled her into comforting arms. “Lass, your plan cannae work, and you know it.” He caught her fist before it could land on his chest. He winced, half amused through his pity. “Beating me willnae help it, hen.”

Jenny had never felt anger like this, let alone expressed it. She had been an obedient child, and behaved like a proper young lady. No one was more surprised than she that she had lost her control. “I’m sorry! Alex, I dinnae know what I’m doing.” She glanced about as though she might find the answers. “I’ve got to do something. But Duncan is so far away.” Jenny got up. “I’ve no choice. I must go. I must go to him now.”

“Jenny…” Alex stood up beside her.

“Even if I cannae find him, at least I willnae be married.” Jenny gazed in the direction of Inverlochy.

He watched her, full of thoughts of his own.

Jenny turned to him. “What roads do I take? I’ll need a horse. May I borrow a horse? If I take one of ours, my father will find out. I’ve saved up some coins. I can pay you.”

“Do you not think your father will notice you’ve gone?” Alex said, with a skeptical glance from beneath his brow.

“Aye, but by the time he finds out, I’ll have had enough time to get to Inverlochy before anyone can catch up.” She went on, more to herself than to Alex. “If I borrow a horse and tether it nearby, I could sneak out after dark.”

“Jenny.” He was quiet at first, but she did not react. “Jenny!” He gripped her shoulders. “You are not going to Inverlochy.”

Jenny looked up, transformed. With eyes bright with resolve, she said, “Oh, but I am.”

Alex shook his head, unconvinced. “You’ll have half the clan coming after you, and when they catch up to you–which willnae be long, assuming you haven’t got yourself lost–I wouldnae put it past your father to have a priest with him to marry you to Tavish right on the spot. And you’d better hope that he finds you before you get to Duncan, because if Duncan is with you, he’ll show the poor lad no mercy. And after that, his parents will surely be ousted from their wee cozy cottage, all helpless with no place to go.”

Jenny exhaled, defeated. “Without Duncan, I’m helpless.”

Alex touched her chin. “You’re stronger than you think.”

Jenny lifted doubtful eyes. “Am I?”

“Aye, and you must be strong now.”

“Alex, you know me. I have never been strong. It has always been easier for me to yield–especially to my father. Until now, nothing mattered to me enough to confront him.”

“And now?”

“And now, they’ve moved up the wedding–”

Alex nodded. “Because Tavish saw you with Duncan.”

Jenny blushed. “I told you that. Must we dwell on it?”

“If we’re to understand and decide what to do.”

“There is naught to understand.”

Alex barely heard her. “Why would Tavish still want to wed you?”

His words hurt her pride. “Because he loves me?”

“Knowing Tavish, I doubt it.”

Jenny took exception to that. “Perhaps he forgives me?”

“He’s a proud man. Some might even call him an arrogant, self-serving prig. But forgiveness?” Alex shook his head.

Jenny said, “What is it, then? What are you thinking?”

“’Tis not that a man could not love you, bonnie lass, but this man has no heart.”

“’Tis no matter to me. I dinnae want his heart–or any part of him.”

“But he wants something from you. Is it money?”

“He does not need my money.”

“Or so he might have us believe,” Alex said to himself.

Her thoughts turned back to what mattered most. “What am I to do if I cannae go to Duncan?”

Alex diverted his eyes as he shook his head. “Be practical, Jenny. How can you?”

“Because I can do nothing else.”

The longer it took for him to respond, the less hope Jenny held, until, crestfallen, she pleaded. “Would you sentence me to wed Tavish?”

“I would never choose him for you.”

“Nor did I.”

“I’m sorry, lass, but I will not send you off to the world unattended.”

Jenny’s face lit with a small bit of hope. “Then go with me.” She put her hand on his arm. “Please, for Duncan.”

With an kind look, Alex said, “Jenny, I cannot steal you away from your home.”

“Yes, you can.”

Alex smiled. “It is enough that you were discovered with Duncan. If I, yet another man, stole you away, you would shame yourself and your family–”

“I dinnae care about any of that.”

Gently, he added, “And my family, as well. You may think that your father deserves what he gets, but my family does not. I cannae do this to them.”

Jenny nodded. “You’re right, of course. I’ve been selfish.”

“No, lass.” Alex took both of her hands in his. “I will help you and Duncan, but we must find another way. For now, I would keep you right here where you’re safe.”

“Safe? Safely married, you mean.”

He peered into her eyes. “Do you trust me?”

“I am not sure,” she said skeptically. “Should I?”

Alex smiled. “Not as a rule.” His smile faded. “But in this case, you must. I will go and fetch Duncan to bring him back to you. If he chooses to run away with you, we’ll have time to think through how best to do it. I promise to do all I can to help you both.”

Jenny threw her arms around Alex’s neck. He could not help but return her embrace, until he heard Charlie clear his throat loudly.

“Mrs. MacDonell was asking about the water.” Charlie eyed the empty pail in Alex’s hand, and then studied Alex. “Do you mind if I ask what you two have been doing?”

Jenny laughed lightly. “Alex has been making me very happy.”

Charlie raised an eyebrow.

Alex and Charlie rode away to meet Duncan. With any luck, he would be on his way home. He had orders for most of his cartload of whisky, but took extra in hope of selling more. He needed to make enough to pay the rest of the past due rent, with some left over to begin a new life with Jenny. He had learned the hard way not to hide money at home. All of his savings were now stowed safely in Callum’s home. Alex had traveled with Duncan before on one of his whisky-selling trips. If this trip went as well as the others, they could be back by Monday midday, only hours before the wedding was set to take place. He was not one to worry, but even Alex had doubts as to whether this plan would work.

On their second day of riding through heavy rain, both plaids and spirits were dampened. The weather had slowed down their progress. Charlie was first to say what they had both been thinking. “Have you thought about what we will do if we don’t find Duncan?”

“I am not in the mood for your blether!” snapped Alex.

Charlie shrugged. “It wouldnae hurt to think ahead, just in case your plan doesnae work out.”

“Och, now there’s a fine idea. Let us make ourselves mad thinking of what could go wrong when we don’t know when or where, or even how we will meet up with Duncan.”

With a weary glance, Charlie turned and smirked. “Aye, well then, let us try to think of what could go right. Let us think…hmm…”

“To begin with, you could shut your flapping mouth, you clotpole.”

Charlie reached over grabbed Alex. Just as he was about to unhorse him, Duncan called out.

The two released their grip one another with a slight shove on Charlie’s part.

Duncan joined them, alarmed. “What is it? My parents? Has Jenny been hurt?”

“Nay, but if we dinnae hurry, you’ll be addressing her as Mrs. Tavish MacLean,” said Charlie.

Alex, still angry with Charlie, rolled his eyes. “Clumsily put, but ‘tis so.”

“But the wedding was not until tomorrow.”

“It was until Tavish saw you with Jenny.”

“God’s teeth. Saw us where?”

Alex gave a somber nod, confirming the worst.

“It will take more than God’s teeth to help you out of this one,” Charlie muttered.

Alex gave Charlie a swat on the arm with the back of his hand.

Duncan, too preoccupied to notice, said, “But then, surely he broke off the betrothal.”

“I wish I could say it was so,” answered Alex. Gravely, he added, “But he is determined to marry the lass.”

Charlie said, “Let us ride as we talk. Every moment will count.”

The two others agreed. Charlie said, “Duncan, leave the cart here.”

Alex surprised himself by agreeing. “We can come back for it later.”

They concealed the cart behind some brambles, and Duncan mounted his horse. The three rode as fast as the rain and the rough road allowed, but the horses needed water and rest, so they stopped on the way.

“She could have been married by now.”

Alex nodded. “Had they had a priest there, they would have been. To your good fortune, Jenny’s father had to send someone to fetch one.”

“But this happened–”

“Thursday,” said Charlie.

Duncan’s dark eyes clouded. “But it’s Saturday. How far away can the nearest priest be?”

“Let us hope that he was farther than you were.” Alex met Duncan’s eyes frankly. “I made a promise to Jenny that we’d bring you back to her, and that we will do.”

*

Jenny stood at the door to the chapel. Her father’s stern look and firm grip propelled her down the short aisle toward the priest and, beside him, Tavish. He watched her with barely checked longing as her last step brought her to his side. His was not the smile of a man for the woman he loved. It was desire to complete the purchase of a coveted possession. With smoldering eyes, he surveyed her. A warm glow of triumph shone through his half grin. Some would mistake it for adoration. He turned to the priest, who appeared a bit worse for wear, and not only from travel.

The priest squinted and swayed just a bit, but enough to draw a bitter glare from Tavish. “God’s teeth, you’re three sheets to the wind. Where did they find you, holding mass in a tavern?”