The Master of Strathburn by Amy Rose Bennett

Author:Amy Rose Bennett [Bennett, Amy Rose]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Highland
Published: 2016-04-30T18:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

On dusk, as they rode by the Braemar Castle Garrison on the outskirts of the tiny hamlet of Invercauld, Robert noticed that Jessie fought to stay upright in her saddle. He dropped back to ride alongside her.

‘It looks like there is a small but respectable inn up ahead, Jessie. I’m counting on the fact that Simon will think we’ve taken the shorter route to Edinburgh through the Drumochter Pass. I doubt he will search for us here. And I’m loath to press our horses any farther in the dark. A warm meal and a soft bed is what we both need right now.’

Jessie frowned. ‘But are you no’ worried about the garrison? Surely there will be dragoons about.’

Robert shrugged. ‘They will not be on the lookout for me just yet. They do not know me here. And I also have papers stating I am the very English Robert Burnley.’

Jessie arched an eyebrow. ‘You dinna sound verra much like a Sassenach.’

Robert grinned. ‘Oh, but of course I do, my dear,’ he said in his best clipped upper crust accent. ‘It’s how I survived for near on a decade.’

When Jessie gawped at him like a caught salmon, Robert couldn’t help but laugh.

Within a short time, he had secured a private room at the relatively secluded Invercauld Arms on the banks of the Clunie Water. Thankfully Jessie had seemed too exhausted and distracted to question the arrangement of sharing a room. She did blush a fiery shade of red however, when Robert presented her to the innkeeper and his two daughters as his new wife, Mrs Burnley.

The innkeeper smiled knowingly at them. ‘I will send Mary up to attend to yer room directly, Mr an’ Mrs Burnley,’ he said. ‘And per’aps trays in yer room …’

‘Yes, that would be excellent,’ responded Robert with a smile, continuing his charade of the dashing English gentleman. It was a mantle that still fit very well. ‘My bride and I are a trifle tired from travelling, and given the circumstances, we would very much like a little privacy.’ He handed over an additional handful of guineas. ‘For your discretion shall we say,’ he added with a wink.

‘Och, of course, Mr Burnley,’ beamed the innkeeper. ‘An’ if there’s anythin’ else, just let my daughters know. Mary will take ye up now.’

During this exchange, Jessie had started to lean heavily against Robert and he had put his arm around her slender waist to support her. Her ankle and arm were probably aching like mad. As the girl, Mary started up the stairs toward the guest rooms, he swept Jessie up into his arms.

‘What on earth do ye think you are doing?’ Jessie hissed into his ear.

‘Sorry, my sweet Scottish wife,’ he whispered back as he followed the innkeeper’s daughter. ‘Just putting on a bit of a show. The innkeeper may be less likely to divulge details to anyone who did happen to make enquiries if he thinks we truly are the newly-wedded Burnleys.’

Jessie scowled but nevertheless relaxed in his arms.

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