Highland Rebel by Judith James

Author:Judith James
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Eighteen

Catherine was in a rather peculiar mood when the coachman finally dropped them at the front door. The judicious use of Mr. Mercer’s fine medicinal brandy had calmed her fears and banished any unpleasant thoughts. She was feeling proud and cocky about her performance, both in passing as a man and as a worthy companion in a tight spot. The combined effects of copious amounts of coffee, the excitement of forbidden adventures, and an unexpected brush with death percolated through her veins, warring with physical exhaustion. She felt exquisitely alive and completely relaxed at the same time. All in all, it was a very pleasant feeling. She entered the house, eyes bright and shining, and skipped through the foyer, only to collapse in a parlor chair.

Sullivan appeared instantly, followed by Catherine’s little Scottish maid, who looked decidedly f lushed. Jamie looked from one to the other with curiosity, and then waved them both away. “Thank you for waiting up, but it really wasn’t necessary. You can both seek your beds. I’ll see to my wife.” He returned his attention to Catherine “I’m sorry things turned out as they did, mouse. I should never have brought you with me. It was stupid of me and I—”

“What nonsense, Jamie! I don’t know how to thank you. It was the most exciting, the most astonishing, the most magical night of my life!” Jumping up she threw her arms around his neck and hugged him, giving him a brandy-soaked kiss on the cheek before plopping down again.

“God’s blood, girl! You must be the only wife in the world who’d thank her husband for taking her to a gambling hell, a whorehouse, and a brawl in the streets.”

“And you’re the only husband in the world who’d take me,” she agreed with a happy sigh. “Nothing has ever made me feel more alive, not even my first time in the rigging or my first cattle raid.”

“Good heavens, child! You’ve had an eventful youth! You must tell me all about it sometime.” He watched her as she pulled at her boot, swearing as she struggled to get it off. She certainly had a colorful store of curses. He debated going to her aid, but she presented such an enchanting picture, coat unbuttoned, hat askew, that he refrained.

“There!” she cried in triumph as her boot tumbled to the f loor. “Someday, Jamie,” she grunted as she worked at her other boot, “you must tell me all about your family.”

His mood fell f lat. “Mine’s not interesting in the least. There’s really nothing to tell.”

“I rather doubt that. You’re full of secrets, Jamie Sinclair,” she said, waving an unsteady finger at him, “and you’re always pretending to be something you’re not. I find that very interesting. I… on the other hand, am exactly what I seem, something that’s caused me no end of trouble over the years.”

The wench is far too perceptive. She took another swig of brandy and he stepped forward and relieved her of the f lask. “Perhaps you’ve had enough of Mr.

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