Rogue of the High Seas (18 page)

Mr. Adler shivered. “I suppose rest would be good.”

Neal rose too. “Let me see you out.”

“Thank ye, but it will nae be necessary. I need to speak to Mrs. Tate about collecting our pledges from the open house,” Shauna said.

Neal bowed slightly. “Hopefully, we can go on another carriage ride next time.”

“Aye, I would like that,” Shauna said.

Nicholas turned back from the door with a grin on his face as he rejoined Wesley. “She said she would enjoy another carriage ride. She just does not know how it will end.”

Wesley snickered and threw off the blanket. “Yes, I want her to look forward to it so the end of that ride will be so much the worse. How lucky and convenient that MacLeod will be gone.”

Neal smiled. “Convenient? You might want to thank me for arranging that. After I made a point to meet MacLean at the Commercial Company, it was fairly easy to persuade him that a trip to Glasgow to check things out himself would be in order.”

Wesley gave his son an appreciative glance. For once, the boy had used his head. “Good work.”

“I might also have suggested they look into Loch Linnhe and Loch Shiel.”

“I could not have done better myself,” Wesley said. “So now we make wise use of the time. When MacLeod returns, his lovely cousin will be gone.”

Chapter Nineteen

Shauna returned home from the dock office on Monday thoroughly disgruntled. She'd anticipated a sense of emptiness since Robert had left with Shane and Owen the past Friday, but she hadn't expected the return of David, Albert's young apprentice who'd been beaten in the streets last fall and needed months to recuperate. With his arrival, her assistance in the office was no longer needed.

As she disembarked from the carriage and walked toward the townhouse, she was tempted to tell Johnny this was the last time he'd have to come down to the docks to bring her home. She knew the other two footmen teased him about being assigned to what seemed like nanny duty, but then he'd hear the news soon enough. Albert, although he'd thanked her for her service, had seemed glad David was back. Shane would probably be happy to find out she'd been replaced as well.

Not only had she lost doing something she enjoyed, but she'd also lost the opportunity to see Robert on a daily basis.

Curled up in a comfortable chair in front of the library's hearth, Abigail looked up from the book she was reading when Shauna entered. “You are home early.”

“I will be home from now on.”

Abigail closed the book. “What happened?”

Shauna told her, trying not to sound sorry for herself. “I ken David needs his job back. I am just going to miss…the activities.”

Abigail peered over her spectacles at Shauna and smiled. “I think we can bring one of those…activities here for dinner at least once a week.”

Shauna's face heated. “I dinnae mean Robert.”

Abigail's smiled widened. “Now did I mention his name?”

“Nae.” Shauna felt her face grow even warmer. “I—”

“Shhh. I know you like him.”

“Is it written on my face then?” Shauna slumped into the chair opposite Abigail's. “'Tis silly of me, I suppose, especially with Colette claiming his time.”

“Colette is doing his portrait.”

“Aye. Ye should see how she touches him every chance she gets.”

Abigail placed her book on the table beside her. “Does Captain Henderson touch her back?”

Shauna thought. “I have nae seen him do such.”

“Hmmm. Does he cook dinner for her like he did for you?”

“Dinner was for all our benefit.”

“I do not think Captain Henderson would have returned three evenings in a row because he thought a whole household was starving to death,” Abigail said.

“Mayhap he was concerned for your bairn.”

“Even so. I have observed him watching you at dinner. And I do not think he approves how Owen speaks to you.”

“Neither do I.”

Abigail smiled. “It could mean that Captain Henderson is jealous.”

“Jealous?” A strange sensation like butterflies fluttering in her belly flashed through Shauna. She knew Robert didn't particularly like Owen, but she hadn't questioned why. Could he be…? She shook her head.

“Why not? I have seen hunger in his eyes when he looks at you, and it does not have anything to do with food.”

She had noticed his eyes turned darker sometimes. And there was that night when he'd almost walked her home…his eyes had smoldered then, but he'd changed his mind about the walk. Shauna shook her head again. “The mon has nae even flirted with me.”

Abigail shrugged. “Shane would seriously injure him if he did—or at least threaten to. Captain Henderson is aware you have two rather imposing brothers as well.”

“Aye. He does respect them.”

“Which is all very well and good, but it is not getting you what you want.”

“What do ye mean?”

Abigail unfolded her legs and leaned forward in her chair. “You might remember that Shane was a bit…reticent…about our relationship?”

Shauna nodded. “Shane thought he was married to the sea. He dinna think he could take care of a wife and had nae plan to marry.”

“Maybe Captain Henderson feels the same way. Such men think it dishonorable to trifle with a woman's affections.”

Shauna inhaled sharply. Could Abigail be right? Then she sighed. “If the mon doesnae want—”

“Phish! Sometimes men do not know what they want until it is pointed out to them.”

Shauna frowned. “I can hardly ask the captain to talk about it.”

“I did not say
talk
about it. I said
pointed out
…like taking things into your own hands. Literally.”

Shauna widened her eyes. “Ye mean touch him like Colette does?”

“You do not have to be that bold.” Abigail smiled. “Just find ways to stand close to him or sit close to him.
Without
touching. He will soon want to touch you.”

“Did that work with Shane?”

Abigail patted her rounded belly. “We are married, are we not?”

“But I—”

“Are ye telling girl secrets in here?” Kyla pushed the door open and came through with a tray of tea cakes that she set down on the table. “Janet thought you'd be wanting these.”

Shauna felt herself blush again and reached for a cake. Kyla had no idea of how close to the truth she was.

“Thank you,” Abigail said as Kyla eyed the cakes, “Would you like one?”

“Aye,” Kyla replied. She took one and moved toward the door before turning back. “I almost forgot,” she said as she reached into her pocket and pulled out a letter for Abigail. “The post just came.”

“Who is it from?” Shauna asked after Kyla left.

“Jillian.” Abigail tore open the envelope.

“Maybe she's had the baby. Does she say if it was a boy or girl?”

“A boy,” Abigail replied and then frowned.

“What is it? Is the baby not healthy?”

“The baby is fine.” She finished the letter and then looked up. “But Bridget's husband, Brodie, is ill.”

Shauna put her uneaten cake down. “Does Jillian say what's wrong?”

“The physician is not sure. Brodie is fevered and his breathing labored.”

“Dear God.” Shauna jumped up and began pacing. “My sister has always run the household. If Brodie is that ill, who is doing it? Jillian cannot help if she's just birthed a child. The twins are too young…” She stopped suddenly. Maybe David's returning had been a godsend. Fiona would say it was faerie magic, not that it mattered to Shauna. She looked at Abigail. “I am going to Glenfinnan.”

“I thought you might.” Abigail gave herself a push and got out of the chair. “I will go with you.”

“Ye are in nae condition to travel.”

“Nonsense. My babe is not due for another four months.”

“Shane doesnae want ye to even leave the house.”

“Shane is not here.”

“He will be furious with ye—and me—once he finds out.”

“Hmmm. Well, let me worry about that.” Abigail gave Shauna's hand a squeeze. “Like I said earlier, sometimes we just have to take things into our own hands.”

Johnny had glowered at them when Abigail told him to be ready to leave on the morrow. Jacob and George had adamantly refused to take the trip until Kyla announced she'd be going as well.

All three footmen were still grousing under their breaths the next morning as they loaded trunks and valises on top of the large, rented coach. Shauna heard bits and pieces about their hides being tanned when Shane found out and being grateful they weren't sailors or he'd have them walk the plank. From their dour expressions, they had no hope of retaining their positions.

Even Albert had his doubts about letting them leave until Janet reminded him of how much care he'd needed and how she had not been able to attend to the household. Although he still looked skeptical, he'd finally agreed they needed to go.

Thankfully, the roads were in fair condition. The previous snow had melted and the area had been spared recent rains, which would have left muddy ruts to plough through. The coach, not as comfortable as Shane's smaller barouche but sturdier, lurched and rocked, threatening to toss all three of them against the sides unless they hung onto the leather loops hanging from the ceiling.

“I doona see why we cannae have George and Jacob sitting inside,” Kyla grumbled. “It would save me sliding all over this seat.”

Shauna bit back a smile. No doubt Kyla would enjoy bumping against both of the young footmen. Since Abigail had brought to Shauna's attention the benefit of being close, she was eyeing Kyla's actions in a different light.

“You know the only reason Albert agreed to let us go was if the men would ride outside on the rumble seat to keep watch,” Abigail said.

“Armed to the teeth,” Shauna added. She knew when Ian had sent the footmen to Edinburgh as an attachment for Abigail last year, he had chosen three who could handle both swords and muskets. However, once Albert had finished outfitting them, each now wore both musket and pistol, as well as a long sword. Various knives were tucked into their livery. Abigail's eyes had grown big at the sight of so many weapons, and she'd asked if they were really necessary. Albert had replied that just because the clans weren't feuding openly, it didn't mean brigands weren't on the roads. Shauna carried her
sgian dubh
strapped to her calf as well, although she thought it might be better not to remind Abigail with that fact.

“I am sure Johnny, George and Jacob will be glad to see the Highlands again,” Shauna said to divert Kyla from more complaining.

The statement had the desired effect. “Aye, they will,” Kyla said. “I'm wondering how many other braw lads your brother has working for him.”

“Quite a number,” Shauna said and leaned back against the squab. Kyla would be occupied thinking about them for some time, which allowed Shauna some thinking time of her own.

Albert was right that Scots were not openly feuding any longer, but that was because the English had outlawed the whole clan system. It didn't mean the clans didn't exist, nor that they had forgiven past transgressions. They just didn't announce it openly…which brought back the problem of Owen. Besides Bridget needing help, Shauna wanted to make this trip to talk to Ian as well.

She wasn't at all sure how amiable Ian would be to the idea of her not marrying Owen. Bridget's marriage had been arranged. Brodie was a Cameron, his ancestral land bordering north of Glenfinnan. Although in the past his clan had fought with the MacDonalds and against the MacLeans, they'd also been staunch defenders at Culloden. When Bridget had been but two-and-ten, their father had decided an alliance with the Camerons would be a good one. After he'd been killed in a carriage accident, Ian had seen to the marriage carried out when Bridget turned seven-and-ten.

That had been nearly a decade ago. What went on behind the closed doors of their chamber, Shauna didn't know. There had been no bairns, but she thought that Bridget and Brodie seemed happy together…or at least content.

Shauna didn't see herself being happy with Owen—or even content. She was aware of what happened in the marital bed, and the thought of allowing him…of
having
to submit her body to him made her shudder and her blood chill.

The thought of sharing that same bed with Robert made her blood heat and her body tingle in strange places.

Lord, what was she going to do?

Wesley settled back on the squab of the fancy landau waiting on the drive in front of the charitable home. He'd had Nicholas rent this expensive carriage because today was a special occasion. Wesley gave a self-satisfied smile. Finally—
finally
—everything was going his way.

Richard had arrived this past Monday in a small schooner that required only a skeletal crew—probably pirates, but Wesley didn't ask—and was now anchored in the cove near Leith. MacLeod was gone, thanks to Nicholas, so that was another problem eliminated. Now all Wesley had to do was wait for Shauna MacLeod to show up for their regular Thursday meeting. Today, she would be going for a real ride.

He eyed the candy box beside Nicholas on the opposite seat. “You asked the confectioner to put extra laudanum in the bon-bons?”

“I told him you were dying from consumption and in a lot of pain.” Nicholas smiled. “He did not argue after I put two gold sovereigns in his hand for his trouble.”

“Good. Just make sure you charm the chit enough that she eats them.”

Nicholas looked pained. “I am sure I can manage. However, I did ask that the two at the top not be laced. I will eat those to encourage her.”

Wesley studied him. “I may have misjudged you somewhat. You seem cleverer than I thought.”

Nicholas raised an eyebrow. “How kind of you to notice.”

Ignoring his son's sarcasm, Wesley took out his fob to check the time. “I wonder what is keeping her.”

“Who knows? Women are always late.”

“Most women. This one is always on time.”

Nicholas shrugged. “Maybe she decided to walk over. It is a pleasant day.”

Wesley smirked. “And about to get more pleasant—at least, for me.”

“I still think this scheme is too risky, even with MacLeod out of the way.”

“You worry too much.”

Nicholas shook his head. “When he gets back, he will retrace his cousin's steps today. That is going to lead back to us.”

“And we will be in London, waiting for a ship to New Orleans.”

“To any ship that gets us to America. We can travel to New Orleans by coach if we need to,” Nicholas replied.

“And risk getting attacked by Indians?” Wesley asked.

“Have you been reading the penny dreadfuls? Wild Indians are west of the Mississippi. You do not need to fear getting…scalped, I think they call it.”

“Do I need to remind you of the French and Indian war?” Wesley smirked. “Those Indians were on the east side of the big river. The whole area beyond New York and Boston is barely civilized. We need to sail directly to New Orleans.”

Nicholas sighed. “Fine. I hope you do not mind staying in London's slums while we wait.”