Highland Arms by Cathie Dunn

Author:Cathie Dunn [Dunn, Cathie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction & Literature
Published: 2016-11-11T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

Catriona sat by the fire, browsing through a book about Greek mythology. It should have helped distract her from Rory but instead the tales of unrequited love, revenge, and death reminded her more than ever of what he’d endured. Despite the warmth of the fire, she shivered. Of course, she’d heard rumors about mass killings by soldiers, blithely ignored by the Edinburgh establishment.

Father, as an eminent member of society, attended executions of so-called traitors. He always made a point of voicing his opposition to the rebellion. Strangely, Mother remained silent on the issue, slowly withdrawing from her husband, and her children.

Catriona straightened, closing the book with a snap. Of course, that was it! The reason Mother retreated from the outside world. Clan Macdonald had been a major supporter in the rebellion, and her mother’s loyalty to her Highland roots must run deep, even if she was not allowed to show it openly.

She should have talked to Mother, should have tried to understand her. Even more so as Father and Angus never cared to bother. Catriona leaned back and closed her eyes. As soon as she returned she’d speak to her.

When the door opened, she startled but did not turn. Fully expecting Rory to enter, she intended to give him the cold shoulder.

“Ah, there you are, dearie,” Auntie Meg said as the end of her walking stick hit the floor. “You ready for supper?”

Catriona jumped up and helped her godmother into her chair. “Are you comfortable, Auntie Meg?”

“Aye, don’t fret. Be seated yourself.”

Catriona took her seat just as Cook entered with bowls of steaming rabbit stew and freshly baked bread.

Hesitating, she watched her godmother begin to break her bread. “Should we not wait for Rory?”

The old lady shook her head. “Nay, Catriona, eat away. Rory won’t be joining us tonight. He had to go away.” She dunked her bread into the thick stew, seemingly oblivious to Catriona’s surprise.

Catriona stared at her. “What do you mean?”

“Just as I said. At times, Rory disappears. It’s his own business he’s looking after.” She smirked as she looked quizzically at Catriona. “I never ask, and he never tells me. Better that way.”

“Better?” Catriona was indignant. The coward! “You mean better for him? He wanders off, leaving you to pick up the work on the estate, and you say it’s fine?” Her hands were shaking. Following her godmother’s example she broke off a chunk of her bread. Yet she didn’t taste a thing. Her mind was numb. Where was he? And why did he leave without telling her?

Auntie Meg laid a cold hand on hers and held fast. “Catriona, lass. You’ll soon learn about the Highland ways. The longer you stay the better you’ll understand. Rory has business of his own to attend to, and if we don’t know what it is, then no government agent can force it from us.”

Catriona blanched at the revelation. She remembered what Rory told her about the men who were shot. What if his activities brought him to the

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