“Angus,” Kathleen gasped, starting to dismount.
“Hold right there, Miss Calvert.”
Brown had leveled a pistol at her and regarded her with a cold smile.
Angus let out a groan as he struggled to sit up. He looked dazed, and there was blood on his forehead.
“Please let me go to him,” she said.
“Don’t move,” Brown ordered.
Just seconds later, she heard pounding hooves from behind.
A stranger pulled up in a flurry of dust. “All right, Cap’n?”
“Fine, although it took you long enough.”
“I had to cut through the woods. Didn’t expect you to have company.”
“No, that was a surprise,” replied Brown. “But your shot was the distraction I needed.”
Kathleen stared at the big man in the greatcoat and slouchy cap. She didn’t recognize his face, but she definitely recognized the voice. “You’re one of the robbers, the one who went through my trunk.”
“Happens you’re right, miss. And a nice haul it was.” He flashed an ugly leer. “Liked them dainties of yours, too. Pretty, like you.”
She ignored his salacious remark and turned back to Brown. “You apparently are the leader of that blasted gang. How appalling.”
“I must say, Miss Calvert, we’ve had a grand time here in Dunlaggan. Yet now we must depart for richer pastures. Once we take care of you and your ridiculous escort, that is.”
Bile rose into her throat. “Please just tell me if Jeannie is unharmed,” she hoarsely said.
Brown’s gaze suddenly filled with a cold, unnerving anger. “I have no idea where your sister is. She did not keep to our rendezvous, unfortunately. Now, I must do my best to track her down.”
Kathleen could only hope that Jeannie had come to her senses, and was now safely back at the manor. “My sister is obviously smarter than you are. And don’t even think to go to Lochnagar. The game is up, sir. If you have any brains, you’ll make your escape now.”
Brown studied her for several long seconds before flicking a glance at his henchman. “Get that old fool up onto the horse behind the woman. And make sure you tie his hands.”
“We’re taking ’em with us?”
“For now, yes.” Brown gave Kathleen a toothy, avaricious grin. “One never knows when one needs a hostage, my dear. You might prove to be useful, after all.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
Kathleen studied the rock wall, searching for any kind of possible handhold. If she couldn’t get them out of this cave, they would be abandoned to their fate or to the tender mercies of Captain Brown.
She held the lantern over her head. “Do you see that bit of rock near the top? I might be able to toss the end of the rope ladder around it. If so, maybe I could scramble out from there.”
After making Kathleen and Angus descend the ladder, Brown had tossed it down after them, into the cave.
Angus, who was sitting on a blanket and calmly stuffing his pipe, shook his head. “Lass, I’m not the sort to give up, but there’s nae gettin’ out of this cave without help. The scaly bastard has seen to that.”
She sighed. “I suppose you’re right. These walls are too bloody steep.”
“It’s a grand hiding place for that band of rank riders. It’s nae to be wondered that the lads couldna find them.”
“I cannot believe the thieves were able to find this place. It’s almost invisible from the outside.”
Tucked beneath a large rocky overhang, the cave was a deep hole that was impossible to see until one was virtually upon it. About twenty feet down with steep walls, the space remarkably resembled a large room. The floor was dry and relatively flat, several dozen feet across in diameter. There was no way out but up.
Brown using them as hostages was probably the best they could hope for. If he decided to leave them here, Kathleen feared they had no hope of escape unless they were found. Those desperate thoughts tied her stomach up in knots.
Angus patted the blanket. “Lass, sit yerself down. Yer burnin’ up yer energy wanderin’ aboot like that.”
“I can’t help it. I’m so worried about Jeannie, and I’m furious that I allowed Brown to trick us.”
“I’m the ninny that dropped the pistol, ye ken.”
“That wasn’t your fault. I’m just relieved that you weren’t hurt any worse.”
“It was just a wee knock on the head. After the twins, I’ve got the hardest noggin in the family.”
When Angus had tumbled off his horse, she’d been terrified he’d been shot either by Brown’s henchman or by the discharge of his own pistol. Thankfully, both shots had gone wide. He had a nasty bump and a small cut on his forehead but otherwise seemed unharmed.
Roger, the captain’s revolting accomplice, had made short work of tying up the old fellow and boosting him onto the back of Kathleen’s horse. She’d been tempted to see if she could give him a good kick as he was securing Angus behind her, but Brown had read her thoughts. He’d noted in a regretful tone that though he didn’t wish to shoot her, he would if she forced his hand.
They’d ridden across several fields into a stand of trees. Once through, they’d come upon a rocky terrain dotted with ravines and caves. Astoundingly, the cave the gang used for their bolthole was less than an hour’s ride from Lochnagar.
“I was quite proud of myself when I found it,” Brown had boasted with an irritating smirk. “It’s impossible to see, and yet so close to Dunlaggan. You all wondered how we escaped so easily after our escapades. This is the reason.”
Kathleen had glared at him. “Do you even own land in the Americas or was that all a lie, too?”
“I have the land, but it’s all swamp and jungle. Can’t clear it long enough to grow a bloody thing. I lost every shilling on the blasted venture, so I have to recoup my losses one way or the other, and this is it.”
His plan had been to find gullible investors, and also to dupe the villagers into buying worthless shares of land.
“But why the vandalism and the fire?” Kathleen had asked. “And why in God’s name did you tamper with the children’s punch at the fete? What purpose could be served by such vile acts?”
The captain had casually shrugged. “The more frightened the villagers were, the more likely they would be to buy shares. Many Scots are leaving for the Americas to start a new life, especially after the Clearances. If I made Dunlaggan unattractive to them, it might convince some to leave.”
“So you would rob them, and then leave them with nothing.” Kathleen had been tempted to spit at his feet. “You are a vile man, Captain Brown.”
“And ye’ll be gettin’ yer just desserts for tryin’ to hurt the bairns,” Angus had growled. “The Kendricks will see to that, ye slimy bastard.”
After that jolly exchange, Roger had forced them to climb down into the cave. After Brown had thrown the ladder after them, Kathleen had tried a final stab of talking sense into him—and keeping her sister safe from him.
“You’ve already stolen many valuable things, including my jewels,” she’d argued. “You should let us go and leave Dunlaggan while you can, since the Kendricks are now onto you. This is your final chance to escape.”
Brown had scowled down at her. “I have four other men to pay off, and I must also recoup my losses. Lady Kendrick’s pearls will do that and more. Your sister had best have them.”
At that point, Kathleen had lost her temper and started issuing dire threats, but the captain and Roger had simply disappeared from view.
Angus held up the whisky bottle he’d found in a crate of provisions. “Have a dram to take off the chill.”
Kathleen trudged over to join him on the blanket. “I suppose we should be grateful for the lanterns and the supplies.”
Angus handed over the bottle. “And the drink.”
After their captors had departed, they’d searched the cave. The hideout was well stocked. There were blankets and cords of wood, as well as lamps, candles, and crockery
. Along with the whisky, they’d found hard biscuits and a round of cheese. They certainly wouldn’t expire from the cold or die from hunger or thirst. At least not for some time.
“How long have we been down here?” she asked.
Angus checked his pocket watch. “Maybe half an hour. I wasna keeping track, ye ken.”
“Blast. It feels like much longer.”
“It’s cause yer fretting about yer sister, and whether we’ll die down here.”
“Is that insight supposed to cheer me up?”
“Yer man would tear every hill down to the ground to find ye if he has to, lass. Dinna ye worry.”
She couldn’t help smiling at the notion of Grant as her man. She’d been clinging to his image since this nightmare began, using it as a bulwark against debilitating fear.
“It’s Jeannie I’m mostly worried about. I wonder why she didn’t make the rendezvous?”
“Thought better of it, I reckon. She’s a smart lass, and she kens right from wrong, thanks to you.”
“I hope so. But I feel like I’ve failed her—”
Angus grabbed her arm. “Hush, lass. I heard something.”
Kathleen, straining her ears, heard Jeannie faintly calling her name. She scrambled to her feet and then helped Angus to stand.
“Jeannie, we’re down here,” she shouted.
Long seconds passed before she heard the reply, closer now. “I can’t tell where you are.”
“Sound echoes off the rock,” Angus said. “Hard to tell where it’s comin’ from.”
When Kathleen stripped off a glove, he covered his ears. She stuck two fingers in her mouth and blew a piercing whistle.
“Again,” called Jeannie a moment later.
She blew with all her might, almost blasting out her own ears. They heard a scramble of boots and soon Jeannie’s head appeared at the top of the cave.
Kathleen’s head swam with relief. “Darling, are you all right? You’re unharmed?”
“Yes, but I’m scared, Kath. The captain promised that nothing bad would happen, even if I took Sabrina’s pearls. Why did he do this to you?”
“The captain tricked all of us, Jeannie. He wants the pearls for himself. Are you sure you’re alone? No one saw you come here?”
“I was very careful. I didn’t get too close, and I waited for a long time to make sure they were gone.”
“How did you find us, lass?” asked Angus.
“I was riding back from the village across the fields after I . . . I chickened out. Kath, I couldn’t do what Captain Brown wanted me to do. I’m sure he’s furious with me.” She rubbed her cheek, clearly brushing back tears.
“It’s all right, sweetheart. Just tell me what happened next.”
“I was cutting across the fields because I didn’t want anyone to see me. I thought if I could get back to the house and put the pearls in the jewelry box, I could just tell you what happened and you would fix it.”
“But you didn’t make it back to the house.”
“I saw you and Mr. MacDonald on the road. I was just about to call to you when I saw Captain Brown. I got scared, so I hid my pony behind a hedge.”
“I always knew ye were a smart lass,” Angus said.
“I thought that man with the pistol killed you,” Jeannie said, sounding teary.
“Nae, I was just a silly jinglebrains for falling off my horse. Now, dinna ye be tellin’ my grandsons, lassie, or they’ll roast me forever. Then I’d have to paddle them.”
His little jest worked, because Jeannie let out a watery giggle. “I won’t.”
“So then you followed us here?” Kathleen asked.
“I thought about riding to Lochnagar for help, but I was afraid I would lose you. So I waited until you were almost to the woods, and then I followed.”
“That was so brave of you, Jeannie.” And horrifying, given how much danger she could have put herself in. Kathleen felt sick even thinking about it.
“Aye, yer a brave lass,” Angus said. “And wise enough not to get too close, I ken.”
“I was afraid they would hear me, so I hid with my pony behind some rocks until I saw them come out of the ravine. But I didn’t know exactly where to look until you whistled. It’s a corker of a whistle, Kath.”
“It is at that,” Angus dryly replied.
“Sweetheart, that was incredibly smart,” Kathleen said. “I am so proud of you.”
Jeannie rubbed her nose. “But I was so stupid for believing the captain. Even though he said it was all to help David, I knew it was wrong to steal and keep secrets from you. David was never going to marry me, anyway. I don’t think he loves me, after all.”
“David would not want you stealing for him, no matter what,” Kathleen said.
“He’ll hate me now,” Jeannie said in a despairing voice. “You must hate me for getting you into this mess.”
“Lass, we need to be gettin’ out of here,” Angus murmured to Kathleen.
Kathleen gazed up at her sister. “Listen to me, Jeanette. I love you. I will always love you, no matter what. We can sort everything out later. Right now, we need to get out of here. Can you look around and see if there’s a rope stashed somewhere?”
Her sister disappeared.
“If she canna find anything, she’ll have to go for help,” Angus said.
“I would hate sending her back by herself. Brown and his men are still out there. What if . . .” Her throat tightened at the idea of what those evil men could do to Jeannie.
Angus pressed a hand to her shoulder. “I ken, but we dinna have a choice. And the longer we wait, the more likely she’ll run into them. There’s a farm between here and Lochnagar, one of Graeme’s tenants. She could stop there first.”
Kathleen managed a smile. “That’s an excellent idea.”
“There’s no rope up here,” Jeannie called as she reappeared above them.
“All right, this is what I want you to do. Did you see a farm when you followed us?”
“Yes.”
“Good. Now, go there and find someone to escort you to Lochnagar. If by some small chance the captain finds you first, just give him the pearls, all right?”
“But they’re Sabrina’s gift from the king! I can’t do that.”
“Sabrina won’t give a hang about the pearls. She’ll only want you to be safe. You need to be safe, understand? If Brown should find you, you have to give him the pearls and let him be on his way.”
“But what if the captain comes back here, first? He could kill you.” Jeannie’s face suddenly contorted. “I’d like to kill him for doing this to you, and for tricking both me and David. He’s a monster.”
“He is,” said Angus. “But ye need to do just what yer sister says. After that, I’ll kill the varlets for ye.”
That seemed to perk Jeannie up. “You promise?”
“Aye, that.”
“Jeannie, you have to go,” Kathleen said firmly. “Now.”
“All right.”
“If you see anything that makes you nervous—and I mean anything—you hide.”
“I will. I love you, Kath.”
“And I love you too. So much. Now, off you go.”
They heard Jeannie scramble away, and then only silence.
Kathleen shot Angus a disbelieving look. “You’ll kill the varlets for her? Really?”
“It worked, didn’t it? Cheered our lassie right up.”
“Apparently she’s as bloodthirsty as you are.”
“Och, she’s a brave girl, just like ye.”
Kathleen grimaced. “Well, she’s certainly reckless like me.”
Angus reached for the whisky bottle. “Have a wee pick-me-up.”
“Why not?” she said with a sigh.
There was nothing else to do but wait. And pray.
* * *
Grant climbed over the rocks at the end of the ravine. “Kathleen? Angus?” he called.
A moment later, a piercing whistle sounded from the direction of a large o
verhang on his left. Frowning, he hurried to it and went under it. There he saw the hole that gaped open near the back.
Hell and damnation.
He and Graeme had scoured this area twice. They’d come within yards of this overhang and never once spotted the cave. No wonder Brown and his crew of blighters had been able to hide out for so long.
Kathleen and his grandfather stood about twenty feet below him in the surprisingly well-lit and obviously well-supplied cave.
Thank God.
Grant had to brace his hands on his knees to catch his breath from his rapid scramble up the ravine, and even more so from the fear that had throttled his breathing since the moment he and Graeme found their grandfather’s pistol lying in the grass. They’d split up after that. Graeme had gone off to get as many men as possible from Dunlaggan. Grant had headed out to the fields in the opposite direction. It had taken every ounce of willpower not to panic, with Kathleen and his grandfather in the clutches of a ruthless bastard.
“Took ye long enough,” Angus said with a wry smile. “We almost died from boredom waitin’ for ye.”
Grant choked out a laugh. “Sorry. I’ve been a wee bit busy, ye ken.”
“You’re here,” Kathleen said, flashing him the most beautiful smile he’d ever seen. “And that’s all that matters.”
While Angus had a nasty bruise on his face, Kathleen looked fine—better than fine.
“Can you get us out?” she called up.
“I got a rope from the farm. Grandda, you look like hell. Are you all right?”
“Och, just a wee knock. And yer lassie is fine.”
“Did you see Jeannie?” Kathleen asked.
“Yes, she’s fine. I was coming out of the woods when I saw her pelting out of the ravine. She was a bit incoherent at first, but I got the gist.”
Grant had almost fallen off his horse when he’d seen the girl trundling toward him as fast as the pony’s stubby little legs could go. She’d thrown herself into his arms, bursting into overwrought tears. He was practically dying from worry by that point, but he’d simply patted her back until she’d calmed down.
“Where is she now?” Kathleen asked.
The Highlanderâ??s Irish Bride Page 37