The Wild Rose of Kilgannon (13 page)

"I will not go to England with Robert. I'm going to go to Edinburgh."

"Oh, aye? And how will ye do that?"

"If Robert will not take me, then I'll escape and hide until Angus comes back to get me."

Dougall nodded. "But,
Mary
, what if Robert Campbell willna leave without ye? Or the boys? Do ye trust his word if he says he'll take ye to Edinburgh? Do ye trust him wi' Alex's sons?"

I nodded. It was my fear as well. I was well aware that I might be putting Alex's sons at jeopardy if I agreed to take them with me, but I feared being separated from them even more. "I cannot believe that Robert would harm me and I cannot believe that he brought Alex back to us only to butcher his sons later. The boys represent no threat to anyone," I said bravely.

"I hope yer right."

"So do I," I said and watched Robert's ship advance.

Next to me Dougall gave a grunt of satisfaction and I followed his gaze. Kilgannon men were pouring down the glen's sides and approaching us, their faces grim and weapons ready. I smiled. This is for Alex, I thought. We'll face them together. The ship drew alongside the dock, and Robert, on its deck, nodded at me, his face stern. I struggled not to show my fear. From somewhere behind me, silent men came to catch lines and assist the landing. And then Robert was in front of me. I extended my hand and met his eyes. His expression was remote but not cold.

"Lord Campbell," I said coolly, acutely aware of the clansmen listening behind me. "Welcome again to Kilgannon."

"
Mary
," he whispered as bowed over my hand. And kept it in his grasp for a moment too long. "Madam," he said in a clear voice that carried to all the men. "Your husband still lives."

"Oh, thank God!" I cried, clasping my hands at my throat and bursting into tears. "Oh, Robert, thank you! Thank you!"

He patted my arm awkwardly and turned to his men, gesturing them off the ship. I wiped my eyes and tried to collect myself while they filed into Kilgannon's dock and waited. None of Alex's men moved for a moment, then Dougall extended a hand to Robert.

"Welcome to Kilgannon, Lord Campbell," he said and nodded as Robert shook his hand and thanked him.

"Come inside, Robert," I said and led the way up the terraces.

Eventually the English soldiers and the Campbells were installed in the hall, without arms, watched by silent Kilgannon men. Robert and I went to the library, where I had whisky and food brought, and then sat facing each other in uncomfortable silence. I had closed the door, but was aware, as no doubt Robert was, of the man pacing outside. Dougall, I thought, still on guard. I found it comforting.

"I wondered if you would come," I said. Robert nodded and stared into his whisky, turning the glass in his hand. "Thank you for the news of Alex. Where is he?" Robert's eyes met mine, unreadable. Tread carefully, I told myself, suddenly chilled.

"In prison in Edinburgh," Robert said, his tone detached. "He has not been tried but many have been. And there have been some hangings already. All peers who were in the rebellion have or will soon forfeit their lands and tide, even before they are tried. Kilgannon is gone, Mary."

I nodded. "It is as we expected," I said
softly
. We sat in silence for several minutes. "Robert," I asked at last. "We've heard that Argyll has been removed from office. How is it that you are able to be here?"

He shrugged. "I'm naught but an errand boy. I was sent to find the MacDonald and you. MacDonald has gone to France, but I'm told that he burnt his castle at Sleat so it wouldn't fall into our hands."

I surprised both of us by laughing. "I never thought of that," I admitted and Robert gave me a weak smile, then leaned forward, his voice thawing.

"How are you, Mary?"

I folded my hands in my lap and met his eyes. "I am well, Robert. But I am fearful of the future."

He nodded and took one of my hands in both of his. "Mary, I have come to take you away from here. If you or your men defy me, I am to use force. I am to subdue any rebellion or any attempt to resist." He paused. "Do not resist." How warm his hands and how cold his message, I thought, as I withdrew my hand from his and rose, going to the fireplace before turning to face him. What I had seen in his eyes made me cautious.

"We will not resist, Robert," I said. "I am ready. Will and Betty will welcome me." I would, I thought, escape through the tunnel and hide with the boys until Angus came.

Robert watched me as he drummed his fingers on the arm of the chair for a long time. At last he spoke. "
Mary
, you are not going to England."

My heart lurched. "No?"

"You have been placed under my jurisdiction for the moment."

Robert's jurisdiction? What did that mean? "For what
reason, Robert? You promised
safe passage for me to my family." I spoke mildly but my heart was racing and I heard the familiar roaring in my ears.

"The situation has changed. You are safer with me." I stared at him while wild thoughts raced in my head. Had I misjudged
the man all along? He spoke earnestly
, leaning forward again. "I cannot get you to London, Mary. I have told my superiors that you and I are childhood friends, and as a result you have been placed under my protection. But I must return to Edinburgh, not England." Edinburgh, I thought. Robert was going to Edinburgh. I tried to hide my excitement as he continued. "I cannot accompany you elsewhere and I will not let you go without me. I cannot entrust your safety to English soldiers. As the wife of a Jacobite, you are suspect. And his sons would be considered the devil's spawn."

I looked at him with narrowed eyes. "They are children, Robert. They represent danger to no one."

"Feelings are running very high. Kilgannon's sons are forgotten for the moment, but if he is executed they may be remembered." He rose and paced, then turned, his voice not as controlled now. "The country is in upheaval,
Mary
. You would not be safe if who you are were discovered and I was not there to protect you. In any event, there is no one to send with you. You must go to Edinburgh. I will
endeavour
to get you to England eventually, but not now." He came to stand in front of me. "Mary, what I have seen has frightened me.
Scotland
is bleeding. You will be safe with me but I cannot protect you elsewhere."

I lowered my eyes. I wanted to go to Edinburgh, for that's where Alex was, and, God willing, Angus and Matthew and Gilbey. But I did not want to go as Robert's ward or prisoner. I glanced at the man waiting so
patiently
for my answer, then away as I considered. Robert had never lied to me. His worst vice

was his caution. Was this his desire or his duty? Dear God, I did not know what to do. How could I hope to aid Alex if I was Robert's prisoner? If I went with him, was I going willingly into my own prison? And taking Alex's sons? Could I trust this man?

"You are here to bring me to Edinburgh?" I asked, stalling.

"Yes." He took my hands in his again, his eyes glowing. "I will protect you, Mary. With my life. All of you."

"Just me, Robert."

He shook his head. "No. Kilgannon's sons come as well."

The boys? Why?" I withdrew my hands from his. "Why not leave them alone? They are safe here."

His surprise and h
urt was visible. "Do you think he’
d harm Alex's sons, Mary? Or leave them behind? Do not imagine I will leave without them. These lands are not safe." He turned from me and paced again, stopping in front of the desk. "Alex was not as I had thought," he said, the words coming reluctantly. "We talked much on the journey." He stared at the floor and then looked up at me. "I cannot hate him. I hate the fact that he won you, but I cannot hate the man. Especially now."

"Especially now," I whispered. "What does that mean?"

He met my look without hesitation. "It means he will probably die. He'll be tried and executed as a traitor."

The roaring in my ears grew louder. "And if that happens?"

He lifted his chin. "I will be waiting."

"You will be waiting. For what, Robert?"

"For you, Mary."

"For me," I said, watching him in growing despair. And anger. "Have I no say in this? Did you and Alex discuss me on your journey? Did he agree? Was I part of an agreement, a bargain?"

He met my look unflinchingly. "Alex asked me to keep you safe if it were in my power. Nothing more. And I agreed."

I searched his face, looking for his intent. "I took vows, Robert," I said slowly. "I will never break them. Not out of fear, not out of gratitude. I want

you to understand that. I am not to be bartered. There is to be no misunderstanding of our relationship if I go with you."

He straightened his shoulders. "Mary, you have no choice but to go with me, and I will not leave without all three of you."

"Why? Why not leave the boys here?"

He shook his head. "You do not understand. I have been sent here to remove Kilgannon's family. All of it."

"Then take the whole clan."

He whirled away and then back. "Damn, Mary, do you have to be so difficult?"

"Yes," I said and surprised a smile from him that faded as soon as it had blossomed. I moved from the fireplace and circled the room, moving behind the desk. He watched me silently. At last I paused and looked up at him. "Why did you let Alex come home, Robert? Why did you bring him here and not
directly
to Edinburgh or to meet the others?"

"Malcolm."

"Malcolm?" I could hear the surprise in my voice. "Malcolm?"

He nodded. "I despise the man. He sold his brother, Mary. He got paid for his information. Not by me, but he got paid. When he told me of the letter he had written, supposedly from me, I was sickened. He led his brother into a trap and used my name, knowing what effect it would have on Alex." His voice was raw now. "The
country
side was in chaos. What difference did it make if I let him come home to you when we were so close?"

My tone was wintry. "I thank you for your kindness."

He leaned over the desk. "I wanted to see what you had left me for."