“Ha. In your dreams,” she muttered.
That was exactly his dream, that Sabrina would love him. But he’d have to keep her alive first.
“Mr. Brown is incredibly well-mannered and kind, which is more than I can say for you.” Sabrina gave a haughty little sniff. “In fact, I like him very much.”
“Oh, do ye, now? And what, exactly, does that involve? More secret visits to the parsonage? More pints of ale in the local pub?”
“I will visit whomever I please.” She jabbed Graeme in the chest again. By now, his cravat was likely demolished. “And you have nothing to say about it.”
He leaned in so close that her peacock-blue eyes practically crossed. “Oh, I’ll have something to say about it, lass. Count on it.”
She blinked, then a slow smile curved up her lush mouth. “Well, I do believe you’re jealous, Mr. Kendrick.”
He straightened. “Don’t be ridiculous. And where is that damned . . . ah, finally.”
“Here be yer horse, my lady,” Methuselah said as he rounded the corner of the pub.
“Thank you,” Sabrina replied.
She still wore that smug little smile. Cheeky lass. The hell of it was he loved that about her.
The old man held the mare while Graeme boosted Sabrina into the saddle.
She settled her skirts. “Thank you, Mr. Chattan.”
Graeme cocked an eyebrow at the old man. “You’re a Chattan? You’re a member of Lady Sabrina’s clan, then.”
“Aye, and ye’d best be gettin’ the lady home. My nose is twitchin’, ye ken.”
“Mine, too,” Graeme dryly replied.
Despite his annoyingly cryptic comments, Chattan seemed to know quite a lot. Graeme would have to further their acquaintance.
He untied his horse and vaulted into the saddle. “Let’s go lass. No dawdling.”
“You are so annoying.” She took off at a trot down the street.
“Ye have yer hands full with that one,” Chattan commented.
“Aye, that.”
Graeme cantered after her, coming abreast as they left the hamlet. She made a point of ignoring him.
“So,” he finally said, “are you going to tell me, or do I have to pay my own secret visit to Reverend Brown?”
“You’d probably give him a conniption, you’re so rude.”
He bit back a smile.
“Very well,” she said with a dramatic sigh. “You’ll just pester me until I tell you.”
“Me, pester? Never.”
His amusement faded as she related what she’d discovered. And while it was the first true break they’d had, it also confirmed his fears. If the Barr family was still in the vicinity, they were a danger to Sabrina and anyone else who might cross them.
Still, he needed more information. As soon as he got her safely home, he would ride back to Dunlaggan and try for a frank talk with Mr. Chattan.
“Unfortunately,” Sabrina added, “no one seems to know where the Barrs are. But it’s clear some of the villagers are still afraid they might return. They are apparently not nice people.”
“Oh, you think?”
“There is no need for sarcasm, Mr. Kendrick.”
She looked so very proper and pretty, with her stylish riding habit and jaunty plumed hat. If the situation hadn’t been so dire, Graeme would have found a nice cozy meadow and proceeded to engage in some very improper behavior that would involve removing both habit and hat.
“There’s every reason for sarcasm, since I just pulled your pretty arse out of a near riot.”
“It was not a near riot, and you simply must cease referring to my posterior in that way.”
“And you must cease taking risks with your life.”
She shot him a veiled look. “The way you do with your life?”
He snorted. “That’s different, and you know it.”
“That last time I looked, you were made of flesh and bone, just as I am.”
“I’m trained to do this, lass. You are not.”
They turned from the main road into the drive that led past the gatehouse and up to the manor.
“I assure you,” she said as they passed between the imposing stone gateposts, “I have no desire to take unnecessary—”
Chips of stone exploded from the post closest to Sabrina as the sound of a shot echoed. Her horse shied, but she brought the mare quickly under control.
Graeme wheeled his horse around, blocking her as best he could. “Sabrina, get down and behind that post.”
“Where is it coming—”
Suddenly, more chips exploded from the gatepost as another shot slammed into it. Graeme threw himself from his horse and dragged Sabrina from her saddle. He forced her into a crouch and pushed her behind the post and out of range—he hoped—of the shooter.
He ran a quick hand over her dark green riding habit, checking for blood. The shots had hit the post, but stone chips had exploded everywhere.
“There’s no need to grope me,” she breathlessly said. “I’m uninjured.”
“Are you sure? I took you down fairly hard off your horse.”
She nodded, her golden hair coming loose from its pins. “Other than losing my hat, everything seems to be fine. And that was someone shooting at us.” She grimaced.
“Yes.”
“Drat. How would anyone even know where to find us?”
Graeme snuck a quick look around the pillar. He saw nothing and thankfully heard no shots. “Lass, the entire village knew where we were going.”
“Yes, but I didn’t see anyone leave the pub, did you?”
“I just wanted to get you out of there.” And he should have been more careful.
She sighed. “Well, this is most inconvenient. Both our horses have bolted. I’m assuming you’re armed, however.”
He extracted his pistol from the special leather sleeve strapped to the back of his waist.
Sabrina rummaged in a pocket and pulled out a small lady’s pistol.
Graeme blinked. “When did you get that?”
“After you were kidnapped. It seemed a sensible precaution.”
“Do you know how to use it?”
She rolled her eyes.
He snorted. “I’m hoping it won’t come to that. There’ve been no more shots, so perhaps our attacker has taken himself off.”
Thankfully, the shooter had not been much of a marksman either.
“He might be moving into a different position,” she warned.
Graeme hadn’t wanted to frighten her by mentioning that, but his lass was both smart and courageous. And while she was looking a bit pale, Sabrina was not the sort to succumb to hysterics.
“I don’t think we should stay here to find out,” she added.
“Agreed. We’ll try for the ditch by the—”
He broke off when he heard the sound of galloping horses.
Dammit. Was it to be a kidnapping then?
“Stay behind me,” he said as he checked his pistol and cocked the hammer.
“Graeme,” called a familiar voice. “Are you there?”
“Oh, thank God,” Sabrina muttered.
Graeme leaned out to look up the drive. “We’re here.”
Royal cantered up, cutting off the road to join them behind the shelter of the gatepost. He quickly dismounted.
“Did I bloody well hear shots?”
“You did,” Graeme replied. “Fortunately, they went wide.”
Royal cursed. “Bobby and I were cutting across the east meadow when we heard them. Then we saw your horses pelting up the drive. I told Bobby to round them up and stay clear until I got the lay of the land.”
“Mr. Kendrick, you could have been seriously hurt,” Sabrina said, perturbed.
Royal shook his head. “I got a good look as I came down the drive, and I saw no one.”
Graeme pointed to a stand of trees on the other side of the main road, about a hundred feet away. “I’m betting the shooter was there.”
Royal cocked
a brow. “Want me to go take a look while you get Sabrina back to the house? You can take my horse.”
“I absolutely forbid it,” Sabrina said. “Ainsley might kill me if I put you in harm’s way.”
“She would kill me,” Graeme said. “Besides, I think he’s gone. Your loudly announced heroic Highlander routine probably scared him off.”
“You’re welcome,” Royal sarcastically replied.
“Let’s get Sabrina back to the house,” Graeme said. “I don’t want to take any chances.”
She grimaced. “We can’t leave Royal out here by himself.”
“I’ll send you with him and walk back.”
She grabbed the lapel of Graeme’s greatcoat and shook it. “You are not staying here by yourself. It’s too dangerous.”
“Och, lass, no need to panic,” he gently said, taking her hand. “I’ll be fine.”
“I’m not panicking, but I’m not letting you risk your life.”
Sabrina had gone dead white, and her pupils were huge. Not once had she shown signs of being scared for herself. But for his sake? She looked frightened to death.
“Lass, it’s my job, remember? I’m supposed to protect you. That was the deal.”
“It was a bad deal, and I rescind it.”
“Not to worry,” Royal said. “Rescue is on its way.”
Bobby was trotting down to meet them, leading one of the runaway horses. Wilson was leading the other.
“Mr. Wilson was riding back from the blacksmith and saw the commotion,” said the groom. “Is all well now, Mr. Graeme?”
“Well enough to get back to the house.” Graeme led Sabrina to her horse. “Royal, you ride on the other side of her. Bobby, you and Wilson take up the rear. And we’re going to ride fast, all right?”
Wilson sighed. “Trouble, I ken. Them Barr fellas?”
“You knew about them?” Sabrina asked in a disbelieving voice.
“Everyone knows about them, my lady.”
“Then why—”
“Later,” Graeme said.
He boosted her into the saddle, then swung up onto his horse. Royal moved into position on the other side of her.
“I don’t think my horse is built for speed,” Sabrina doubtfully said.
“Old Nellie will ken she’s going back to her stall,” said Wilson.
Sabrina looked at Graeme, then flicked the reins and broke into a canter. Quickly, she accelerated to a gallop. He and Royal kept pace on either side of her, with Graeme prepared to take her reins or sweep her out of her saddle at the first sign of trouble.
But she rode fast and had an excellent seat. Within a few minutes, they were sweeping under the stone arch to pull up into the courtyard. Only then did Graeme let out a breath he imagined he’d been holding for ages.
He swung down and went to assist Sabrina with her dismount.
“That was surprisingly easy,” she said with a smile.
“There was nothing easy about any of that.”
“You know what I mean.” She twirled a hand. “It could have been much worse.”
Now that she was out of immediate danger, Graeme had the luxury of getting angry again. He’d been angry before they’d been shot at, and now he felt like a volcano about to blow.
He took her by the elbow and marched her to the staircase fronting the house. “It was bloody bad enough, Sabrina. This nonsense has to stop.”
“There is no need to manhandle me, sir,” she protested.
“Apparently, there is.”
The door opened, and Ainsley came out onto the top step. “Graeme, why are you manhandling Sabrina?”
“Because she won’t do as she’s told.”
“Because she is not a child,” Sabrina snapped. “I know exactly what happened, and why it’s a problem.”
“That remains to be seen.”
“I’ll just take the horses around to the stables, shall I?” called Royal.
“Royal Kendrick, get up here this minute,” Ainsley shouted. “Your brother is being an idiot, and you need to control him.”
Graeme ignored Ainsley as he hustled Sabrina into the hall, right past a startled Mrs. Wilson and into the main drawing room.
When he finally let go, Sabrina made a show of shaking out her skirts. “Really, Mr. Kendrick, your behavior—”
“Seems a wee bit over the top,” said Ainsley, joining them. “Graeme, is this really necessary?”
“Well, they were being shot at,” said Royal as he strolled in. “So I can’t blame the lad for being fashed.”
Ainsley gasped. “Shot at? Sabrina, are you all right?”
Sabrina gave her a tight smile. “I’m fine. Mr. Kendrick pulled me out of harm’s way.”
Ainsley shot Graeme a questioning look.
“No one was injured. By the time Royal came along, the shooter had fled the scene.”
“Thank goodness.” Ainsley scowled at her husband. “I would have been most annoyed if any of you had been shot.”
Royal gave her a hug. “Och, no worries. We’re indestructible.”
She gave him a shove. “You Kendrick men always say that, but it’s not true. None of us is.”
“Exactly the point I’ve been trying to make to her blasted ladyship,” Graeme said. “This would not have happened if Sabrina hadn’t gone gallivanting off to have a cozy chat with that nincompoop of a vicar.”
“He’s not a nincompoop. He’s nice. And handsome,” Sabrina added in a snippy tone.
Ainsley grinned. “How handsome?”
“Very.”
Graeme was sure that lava would begin flowing from his ears at any moment. “May we please stay on point?”
“Which one?” Royal asked.
“The only one that matters—Sabrina and Ainsley leaving for Edinburgh in the morning. It’s obviously no longer safe for them here.”
Sabrina frowned thoughtfully, as if considering his assertion. Then she shook her head. “No.”
Graeme waited a few seconds. “That’s it? Just, no?”
“No, Mr. Kendrick?”
“Sabrina—”
“Graeme’s not wrong, my lady,” Royal said, firmly cutting him off. “Getting shot at is no joking matter.”
“But the shots went wide.” She looked at Graeme. “Noticeably wide.”
He’d noticed that, too—not that it mattered. “The next one might not be wide. You’ll leave under Royal’s escort. I’ll stay behind and get to the bottom of this.”
Sabrina thrust out a hand. “I will not leave you alone. You need people you can trust.”
“I can handle it.” Graeme glanced at Ainsley. “I suggest you ladies go upstairs and pack. You need to leave at first light.”
“May I suggest you cease giving orders in my house,” Sabrina exclaimed.
Graeme closed the distance between them. “When I agreed to this stupid venture, I distinctly recall you promising to obey my orders.”
She tilted up a defiant chin. “Because I expected your orders to make sense.”
“Good God, Sabrina. Someone was shooting at you!”
“But how do you know the Barrs are actually trying to”—she whirled a hand—“actually kill me?”
“Because they have no bloody reason to kill me, ye daft girl.”
Royal frowned. “Who are the Barrs?”
“The smugglers,” Sabrina said. “The tenants evicted by Mr. Francis—the ones who threatened him.”
“My point exactly,” Graeme said. “They’re dangerous.”
“And that’s exactly why I cannot leave,” Sabrina retorted.
“That makes no bloody sense.”
Sabrina blew out a breath and glanced up at the ceiling, as if searching for patience. “I think we can agree that the Barrs are still in the vicinity.”
“Those bullets whizzing past our heads suggest as much,” Graeme grimly replied.
“Yes, but I’m not the only target. They’ve got most of the residents of Dunlaggan terrorized as well.”
> “At Lochnagar, too,” Ainsley said. “The servants are obviously afraid to say anything.”
Royal snorted. “Except for Wilson, quite suddenly.”
“Perhaps he’s finally had enough,” Sabrina said. “Perhaps everyone has finally had enough. My father has neglected these people for too long, with dire results. It’s my responsibility to set things right.”
“You can do that later,” Graeme said.
Sabrina tilted her head. “Would your brother, Lord Arnprior, flee under similar circumstances?”
“Of course not, but he sure as hell wouldn’t let Vicky hang about in harm’s way.”
“Actually, dear,” Ainsley said, “I’m quite sure Vicky would insist on staying with Nick, come hell or high water. Nor would I leave Royal to face danger alone, either.”
Graeme scowled. “That is an incredibly unhelpful intervention.”
“Happens she’s right, lad,” Royal said. “Let’s not forget that Ainsley did save my life.”
“I don’t care if she’s right about other people. Sabrina is not staying.”
“I am most certainly staying,” Sabrina calmly replied. “If I let the Barrs run me off my own lands, no one in Dunlaggan or Lochnagar will ever trust my family again. This is my responsibility. I am incredibly grateful for your help, but I will not abandon my people.”
Ainsley nodded her approval. “Perfectly sound reasoning.”
“No, it’s not.” Graeme looked at Royal for backup.
His brother spread his hands. “If she cuts and runs, it could make things worse.”
“If she doesn’t run, she’ll continue to be a damn target.”
“Then we’ll simply have to protect her,” Royal said. “And get this damn situation sorted as quickly as possible.”
Graeme looked at the three of them, all lined up against him. “You’re all deranged.” He pointed at Sabrina. “Especially you.”
Then before his head truly did explode, he turned on his heel and stalked from the room.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Graeme stood in the quiet shadows of the empty corridor. The rest of the house was finally abed, but Sabrina was awake. Light seeped out from under her bedroom door. He suspected she was probably making a list of insults to pile on his head over breakfast.
Every one deserved.
He’d apologized so many times in his life he’d lost count, so it wasn’t the apology that worried him. It was the possible aftermath that had him fashed and hesitating out here in the hall. When she knew everything, she could very well reject him, and that scared the hell out of him.
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