The Stolen Mackenzie Bride by Jennifer Ashley

Author:Jennifer Ashley [Ashley, Jennifer]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781101614976
Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group
Published: 2015-09-27T16:00:00+00:00

Mary wasn’t even able to say good-bye to Aunt Danae, but small Ewan was recruited so Mary could at least send a farewell message. So far, the Jacobite contingent remained unaware or uncaring of Mary’s existence, and Mal said he wanted to keep it that way. Mary understood, but it was a wrench to not take leave of the woman who’d been the same as a mother to her for many years.

But someday this would be over. Mary and her aunt would be reunited, and all would be well.

Mary firmly suppressed the fear she’d never see her aunt and sister again as she made ready to leave Edinburgh for parts unknown. She would have to take things as they came and not succumb to worry. That way lay madness.

Her father would not be brought to them until they were on their way out apparently. That night, while Charles Stuart hosted another grand ball in his ongoing celebration, Mary packed.

The Mackenzie house was in chaos. All of them were leaving for the Highlands, including the duke. The servants swarmed to answer the duke’s shouts, ignoring the irritated curses of Will, Mal, and Angus. Even Duncan was coming with them, though why, Mary was not sure. He was the only true Jacobite among them, and she wondered why he wasn’t remaining with the armies.

In the morning, very early, Mary climbed into a carriage pulled by four strong horses. Naughton had just shut the door for her when Ewan began to wail. He’d been told he had to stay behind and help the staff in the Edinburgh house.

His sobbed words were in the Scots language, but at one point he said in English, “I mu’ go w’ me captain. I can nae stay without me captain!”

“What the devil is he on about?” Duncan growled.

Mary lowered the coach’s window, shivering in the late fall air. “He means me. Let him come—he can ride with me.”

More snarling from Duncan, some of his sounds simply wordless mutters.

The carriage door was yanked open, and Mal boosted Ewan inside. The lad’s face was streaked with tears, but he adjusted his woolen cap and climbed onto the seat opposite Mary, sniffling. Mary took a handkerchief from her sleeve and leaned forward to wipe his face.

Malcolm swung up behind Ewan and dropped to the seat next to the lad. He let out a shrill whistle, and the door slammed and the carriage jerked forward.

“All right, Mary?” Mal asked her, the same wicked gleam in his eyes he’d had that first afternoon in the upstairs gallery at Lord Bancroft’s.

“I thought you’d go on horseback with your brothers,” Mary said. The other Mackenzies surrounded them, horses moving smoothly alongside the coach.

“Once it gets rough, we all will. But until then, I’d rather look after ye myself.”

Mary couldn’t argue, feeling better with Mal’s presence. Ewan seemed to think the arrangement was a perfect one and forgot about his tears, eager to go.

They rolled through the city’s gate, Mal’s brothers and father riding close to the coach.

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