The Highland Guardian by Jarecki Amy

Author:Jarecki, Amy
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Published: 2017-12-19T05:00:00+00:00

Watching the man who claimed to be her cousin retreat with the dragoons and the earl, Audrey still couldn’t believe what had just transpired.

“We cannot possibly leave for the Highlands now.” She whipped around and faced Graham. “What will become of His Lordship?”

A MacKenzie guard shoved his sword in its scabbard. “I don’t feel right about leaving, either.”

Graham glanced away, his lips disappearing into a thin line. “You heard him. He ordered us to continue. Miss Kennet isn’t safe.”

“I’ll be damned,” said Jeffrey, pointing beyond the stable. “Isn’t that the MacRae chieftain?”

All heads turned toward the copse of trees lining the northern property line. Sure enough. Dunn MacRae led a regiment of twenty rugged-looking, kilt-wearing Highlanders cantering straight for the manse.

“His timing is a wee bit off,” Graham said, shifting his fists to his hips, looking like a smaller version of the earl.

Audrey clasped her hands, saying a quick prayer. “Thank heavens.”

When Dunn reined his horse to a stop, everyone spoke at once. They shouted about the dragoons dragging the earl away and accusing him of treason. If they’d only left one day prior, they would have avoided the whole confrontation, but Reid had been hell-bent on waiting for Dunn, and what the hell had taken him so long.

“One at a bloody time!” The Highlander looked over the men and glared at Audrey as if this was her fault. “Where are they taking him?”

“Durham Gaol,” said Graham.

“Jesus Saint Christopher Christ, do not tell me he’s fallen into the hands of Captain Bainbridge Fry? That man has a reputation as gruesome as the poor souls who rot in Durham’s bowels.”

“Lord, no!” Audrey pushed through the men and grabbed Dunn’s horse’s bridle. White foam leached from the garron’s neck as his nostrils flared with labored snorts. “Mr. MacRae, you must go after His Lordship immediately.”

“Not without a plan, and a damned good one.” Dunn looked at her like she’d grown two heads, then he dismounted and shoved Graham in the shoulder. “Why did you not stop the backbiters, damn it all?”

Graham puffed out his chest and stood his ground. “Too many muskets locked, loaded, and trained on Seaforth’s heart, else I would have taken half a dozen myself.”

“It doesn’t matter what happened,” Audrey said. “What matters is what we’re to do next.”

This time as Dunn eyed her, she straightened her spine and mirrored Graham’s stance, thrusting her fists into her hips for added effect. Behaving the wallflower would do nothing to save the earl. The situation was grave, and Audrey had naught to do but bear down and assert herself. Mr. MacRae might be a chieftain, but he paid fealty to the MacKenzie clan and something needed to be done. Now, not after he held a clan meeting.

“Seaforth told us to take the lassie to Brahan,” Graham said, going on to explain the whole mess with Wagner Tupps.

“Jesus Christ.” Dunn removed his bonnet and scratched his mop of dark tresses. “I told him not to grow too involved with the lassie’s affairs.”

Audrey stamped her foot.

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