Enticing the Weary Warrior

by Tammy Jo Burns

  “I can’t wait to get out there,” a young man said, excitement lacing his voice.

  “Don’t be too ready to leave here, because once you do you will never be the same person. They call this life we live ‘the spy game’ when it should be called ‘the living game.’ Never forget that you are expendable. The leaders of our country will turn their back on you and pretend you never existed. And in the end, when you are facing the enemy, it is a kill or be killed situation.”

  “How many men have you killed?” another woman asked the question this time. Megan could hear a fine tremor in her voice.

  “So many that my soul is black,” Liam answered.

  Megan peeked around the corner and winced at the look on his face. She was looking at a man that was haunted and had demons he faced on a regular basis. She retreated to the shadows once more when his gaze started to swing her direction.

  “And one more piece of advice, do not get involved with anyone unless it is required for the mission that you are on and then always keep your heart safe. Remember, any relation you form while a spy is for the good of England. It is easier for all of you because you are orphans. Those that have family and loved ones they are leaving behind, the relationship can never be what it was.”

  Megan slipped outside and swiped at a lone tear that had escaped. What all had Liam been forced to live through in the last five years? “He could have stayed in Scotland and avoided all he’s lived through,” she reminded herself. She threw back her shoulders and gave a sniff, pulling herself together before she opened the door to the training barn once more. She faltered slightly when she saw dozens of heads turn her way. “I….um…”

  “Yes?” Liam asked expectantly, still standing at the front of the group.

  “I must speak to Mother Davis.”

  “Planning someone’s demise?”

  “Perhaps,” she replied airily and briefly glared at Hannah.

  “Do you—” Hannah started to say before being cut off by one of the other female trainees.

  “She’s in the ladies’ dormitory,” a pretty blonde girl interjected the information.

  “Thank you.” Megan spun and left the barn. She rushed across the grounds to the women’s dormitory, knocked on the door, and waited for it to be opened.

  “Lady Dalmore, what’re you doing here?” A woman, about the age of her mother, opened the door, and gave a quick curtsy. She wore plain homespun clothes and had graying, russet colored hair that was pulled back into a knot at the nape of her neck.

  “I don’t know if you’ve heard, but Lady Southerby is expecting again, only this time she’s been quite ill. My brother’s said it’s been several days since she’s been able to keep any food down.”

  “That’s not good for her or the babe.”

  “I was hoping you might know something that would help her.”

  “Let me gather up a few things, and I’ll go with you.”

  “Thank you, Mrs. Davis.”

  “Mother Davis, please.” The older woman began pointing at things and giving Megan directions. Soon the two women were walking to the house. Megan looked up to see Liam approaching them, a scowl on his face.

  “I want a word with you,” he told Megan.

  “I’m sorry. I’m accompanying Mother Davis to the house. We’ll have to speak later.”

  “Meg.” He gripped her upper arm and jerked her to a halt. “You look positively indecent in those breeches. You must keep in mind that you live around a large group of men.”

  “That is Lady Dalmore to you, sir, and what I wear is none of your bloody business anymore.” She ripped her arm free of his hold and bypassed him, leaving him standing alone in the middle of the yard. Megan led Mother Davis into the house and up the stairs. She knocked on the bedroom door that Justin and Clarissa shared. Justin opened it and looked haggard. “Justin, I’ve brought Mother Davis.”

  “Please, come in,” he pulled the other woman into the room.

  Megan peeked in and saw Clarissa lying on the bed. She looked pale and almost lifeless, her skin waxy.

  “…sent for me earlier,” Mother Davis interrupted Megan’s thoughts and she missed her first words.

  Megan backed out of the room and let the older woman care for her sister-in-law. She stopped by the playroom and gathered up the children to take them outside. Jace and Holly raced downstairs while Megan carried Ethan. He squirmed in her arms, desperately wanting to follow his brother and sister. “In good time,” Megan said, giving him a squeeze.

  “Ace,” he said, holding out his hand and fisting it over and over. “Lolly.”

  “We’ll catch up to Jace and Holly, don’t worry.” She laughed as he bounced up and down in her arms. They joined the other children in the side yard and Megan lowered little Ethan to his feet. He took a few hesitant steps before he fell. He started to puff up like he might cry and Megan quickly stepped in. “Go get them,” she encouraged. She laughed as he did a type of bear crawl, with his bottom sticking up in the air. Megan lowered herself to the ground and watched the children. “How I wish Paddy were here, too,” she said aloud, remembering the little boy she had been ready to spend the rest of her life caring for. But that was just one more situation that had not worked out in her favor and perhaps the only bad memory she had of John. She pushed the memories away and braced her hands behind her, letting her head fall back to enjoy the warm sun on her face.

  “You’re still as beautiful as you ever were.”

  “Flattery will get you nowhere, Mr. McTavish.”

  “Megan,” he started.

  “Lady Dalmore,” she corrected. She heard a squeal and looked up to check on the children. They were busy letting Ethan chase them. The little boy squealed with delight when he came close, then they would escape him once more.

  “Why did you need Mother Davis?”

  “I don’t see where it is any of your concern, Mr. McTavish. I believe you stopped demonstrating your concern for the well-being of this family five years ago.”

  “Megan—”

  “Meggy, you’re brilliant!” Justin announced as he burst through the veranda doors.

  “She’s better then?”

  “She will be. Mother Davis is going to stay with her for a while to make certain she is on the mend. She says we should have sent for her sooner, and Clare wouldn’t be so sick now.”

  “Your wife’s sick?” Liam asked with concern.

  “Aye. She’s expecting again and has been extremely ill. Meggy had the brilliant notion of asking Mother Davis for help.”

  “I’m glad I thought of it,” Megan said, lifting a hand to block the sun from her eyes so she could gauge her brother’s reaction. His face looked much less worried than earlier, and he had that ever present smile hovering about his lips once more.

  “I’ll be returning to the barn,” Liam said. “Should you need anything else, please let me know.”

  Justin lowered himself to the ground beside his sister, drew his legs up, and wrapped his arms about them. “What were you and Liam discussing?” he asked as they watched the man’s retreating figure.

  “Nothing.”

  “Meggy…”

  “Truly, Justin. He wanted to know why we were in need of Mother Davis. You told him. End of story.”

  “Perhaps you should give him a chance to explain.”

  “I really don’t want to talk about this right now. I need to go to London and look into what needs to be done to get Legend signed up for the races. They will be starting soon.”

  “That’s fine. You know I would go with you, but…” he drifted off and looked up towards a window on the second floor.

  “I would not ask you to leave Clarissa right now. I’m not heartless, regardless of what some might think. I will be fine on my own.”

  “You will not go to London on your own. I will have a footman accompany you.”

  “Fine, if it will make you feel better.”

  “It will.”

  They sat in compani
onable silence for a bit watching the children play. Then they joined the children until it was time to go in for dinner.

  * * *

  Liam did not go directly back to the training barn. He stopped at the stable and checked on Draco. Then he went out a side door, slipped among the trees, and made his way back towards the manor. He stood hidden and watched Megan and her brother talk, then play, with the children. His heart ached with longing, but his body remained dormant at the sight of her. “Damn Frenchies,” he growled and hit the tree with the palm of his hand.

  The butler came out of the house and said something. Megan followed the butler with the children in tow while Justin walked to the trees.

  “You can come out,” Justin announced.

  “How did you know I was here?”

  “It’s hard to miss a giant skulking about.”

  “Did she see me?”

  “No.”

  “Good.”

  “You two have to talk sometime.” Silence. “I have a favor to ask. Megan needs to go to London and I cannot accompany her. Would you be willing to go in my place?”

  “No. Send a footman. She’ll be fine.”

  “We’ve had quite a bit of trouble with highwaymen along the roads between here and London.”

  “She’ll be fine.”

  “I thought I could count on you,” Justin argued.

  “I have a job to do and it does not involve being caretaker for Lady Dalmore.”

  “I see. Well, in that case, I will let you return to your job.”

  Liam watched Justin turn and storm off. “It’s better this way,” he told himself. He pushed off of the tree and headed towards the dining hall.

  * * *

  Megan woke early the next morning. She quickly took care of her morning ablutions, and dressed in her nicest riding habit and boots. Clarissa’s lady’s maid helped her with her hair. A hat with a short veil topped off the ensemble.

  “How do I look?”

  “Quite smart, Lady Dalmore.”

  “Thank you. Let’s hope that the gentlemen at the club agree.” She smiled at the perplexed look on the maid’s face. She grabbed her traveling bag, slipped down the stairs, and out the servant’s entrance without alerting anyone in the house. Megan made her way to the stable and saddled one of her brother’s mounts. Before long, her horse trotted down the lane, sans footman. She would show Justin once and for all that she didn’t need a man to take care of her.

  A few miles from the estate, the sun streaked fingers of orange, red, and pink across the horizon. The air was fresh and crisp. She pulled her cape a little tighter about her shoulders as the morning had a chill to it. Megan felt eyes following her. She drew her pistol and prodded the horse into a cantor. A dogleg appeared in the road. Megan led the horse into the trees, intent on letting whoever was following her pass. She waited quietly and patiently, urging the horse to do the same when finally the person rounded the bend.

  Anger suffused her as she prodded the horse into the road to confront the rider, the pistol aimed at their chest. “What in bloody hell are you doing following me?”

  Chapter 6

  “I’m doing your brother a favor.” Liam fought to control his startled horse. “Put that gun away.”

  She did so reluctantly then unleashed her temper on him. “I don’t need to be watched like a child. So thank you, but no thank you, Mr. McTavish. You can return to your duties and I will go on my way.”

  “Your brother said there are highwaymen afoot.”

  “There are highwaymen everywhere. These are desperate times. Now, go away.”

  “I can’t do that.”

  “You didn’t have a problem doing it five years ago.”

  “Meg…” he said her name on a sigh.

  “Just go away, Liam,” exhaustion laced her words. “Let me live my life and take care of myself.”

  “I can’t do that. Not right now. You were supposed to have a footman accompany you, but since you chose to sneak out of the house you are now stuck with me. I will not allow anything to happen to you on this trip. If you don’t want me to accompany you, you can return to your brother’s and wait on a footman.” He heard her mumble something under her breath. “What was that?”

  “Do you really want to know?”

  “I think not,” he said. “Where are we going?”

  “I’m going to London to register Legend for his races. I have no idea where you’re going.”

  “Lead on.”

  “Dammit, McTavish.”

  “Look, Meg, we can either stand here all day in the middle of this road arguing about who is and isn’t going somewhere, or we can argue on the way to London. I vote for the second option because I hate inactivity.”

  “Then by all means, let us not tarry a moment longer,” she replied flippantly. She spun her horse in the direction of London. “I hate him.” The muttered words seemed to drift on the air towards him.

  “I know you do. Sometimes I hate myself,” he replied, but he was now several lengths behind her and his words never reached her ears. He maintained his distance as he followed her. They kept a sedate pace for a while until Megan quickened her horse’s gait. Liam sighed and nudged Draco to follow suit. Before long, they were galloping down the road. The closer they got to London, the more crowded the roadway became. Liam continued to urge his horse faster to close the distance between him and Megan. She rode recklessly, dodging among the other horses and conveyances on the road. He feared her actions were bound to get herself or someone else maimed or worse. He maneuvered Draco closer to her until he could reach out and grab her horse’s bridle.

  “What do you think you’re doing?” Megan demanded.

  “Keeping you from killing yourself or someone else,” he said, slowing their mounts.

  “I know what I’m doing. Let go,” she swatted at his hand.

  “Stop. You’re behaving like a child.”

  “I’m what?!”

  “Calm down. You’re endangering yourself and everyone else on the road by your behavior.” He looked at her and saw the stare she gave him. “Just because you’re trying to get away from me does not give you the right to ride recklessly on a heavily traveled road.”

  “What has happened to you? I remember a time when you rode as I do.”

  “That Liam no longer exists.”

  “Evidently.”

  They rode on in silence at a more sedate pace. On the horizon Liam saw the familiar buildings that indicated they were nearing London. He was beginning to regret that note he had sent to Justin, telling him that he would accompany Megan after all. He had lied to her earlier, not wanting her to know he had willingly signed up for this duty. Liam had spent the whole of the trip ogling her from behind, yet cursing his body for its lack of reaction. The way she rode the horse with such abandon took him back in time and had him wishing he had made different choices.

  “Where are we going once we reach London?”

  “I must meet with some gentlemen to present the required papers in regard to Legend’s bloodlines. Then I need to sign him up for the upcoming races.”

  “You truly have that much confidence in your horse?”

  “Why shouldn’t I?”

  “From what I remember, the English races are very elite.”

  “Are you saying my horse can’t compete with them?”

  “Megan, that’s not what I’m saying. Racing just tends to be a man’s world and I worry about you.”

  “You gave up your right to worry about me five years ago.”

  “We’re never going to move past this are we?”

  “You make it seem as if it’s easy to forget, but it isn’t. You left me behind. You promised to come back to me, that we would be married. Two weeks turned into months and then years. We were going to…”

  “We were going to what?”

  “Nothing,” Megan tightly shut her lips and urged her horse to go slightly faster, putting distance between herself and Liam. They passed through the
old city gates and Megan was forced to give him the address of the Jockey Club.

  “Newmarket? That’s not in London,” Liam exhaled on a frustrated sigh.

  “What do you mean?”

  “Newmarket is quite a ways outside of London.”

  “Surely you jest. Isn’t Newmarket just a section of London? Like Mayfair,” she clarified.

  “No, it isn’t. I thought you had done your research.”

  “I have. The Jockey Club oversees and regulates horse racing in England. The club is in Newmarket.”

  “Which is almost due North of London.”

  “I can’t believe this. Can we make it there before the day’s over?” Megan asked.

  “Yes, but just. The club will more than likely be closed by the time we get there. We’ll have to rent rooms at an inn once we arrive.”

  “Rent rooms? You mean we’ll have to stay overnight?”

  “Yes.”

  “But—”

  “I understand it’s going to be difficult for you to be in my company for that great length of time, but I’m sure you will rally somehow.”

  “I hate—”

  “Yes, you hate me. I believe you’ve already been so kind as to inform me of your feelings. Now, I suggest we stop at a pub and eat before continuing on our journey.”

  “I’m not hungry,” Megan argued.

  “You may not be hungry, but I am, and the horses could use a rest. So whether you want to stop or not, we are.” He looked over at her and saw her well up as if she were about to unleash her temper on him. “Do you have something you wish to say?” Liam asked a bit too cheerily.

  “Hmph.” Megan stiffened. “What’re you waiting for? The sooner we eat, the sooner we’re on our way,” she huffed.

  “Yes, Lady Dalmore.” He watched her out of the corner of his eye as she took in the sites of the large city.

  As if she could read his thoughts, she said, “I’ve only been to London a few times. I never tire of the sights.”

  Liam enjoyed the look of wonder that she couldn’t keep from appearing on her face. Other than being with him, she truly did seem to be enjoying this trip. “Here we are, one of the best pubs in all of England,” he announced after spending almost an hour winding through the London streets.