Traitor's Legacy by Beth Trissel

Author:Beth Trissel [Trissel, Beth]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: General Fiction
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Published: 2014-12-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

“Found his horse hidden behind a false wall, Captain.”

Oh no. Claire stopped in the yard beside Vaughan and swiveled toward the stable to see Lieutenant McCray lead a familiar mount from the stone and timber building. Shod hooves clip clopped on the cobbles as the well-trained gelding walked behind the dragoon.

Her heart sank. She supposed they couldn’t hope to keep Bryan concealed for much longer. It was only supposed to be a matter of minutes, hours at most, that he remained secreted. Stuart had never intended to delay this long.

What would Vaughan do?

Lifting her face to his, she observed him intently. They were just on route to the parlor to discreetly examine that vexing letter and she already on the verge of another emotional collapse. Now this.

He spoke in measured tones. “That’s Monroe’s bay, right enough. Admirable beast. See he’s well-tended, Lieutenant.”

“Oh, he has been and no mistake. Fed, watered, rubbed down.” McCray thumbed a thick finger at the house. “Someone’s helping cover for the fellow, or he snuck out here himself and tended the gelding.”

“I wouldn’t put it past him. Either Monroe’s legged it away or he’s still nearby.”

“Doubt he’d go on foot and leave such a good horse behind,” Lieutenant McCray pointed out.

“Perhaps a fresh search of the grounds. He might be hidden under our noses,” Vaughan suggested.

“Not sure we gave the house a thorough going over, Captain.”

“See to it, then. I have other matters to tend to.”

A smirk played at the lieutenant’s mouth. “You and Miss Monroe?”

The narrow glance Vaughan shot him stifled the hint of insolence. “Yes. Important business. I do not wish to be disturbed—”

Cries of outrage broke into Vaughan’s reprimand and William tore from the stable. Head down, he ran at the beefy lieutenant. “Leave Bryan be!”

Puny fists flying, Claire’s firebrand of a brother lit into the dragoon, beating his thighs and whatever else he could reach. The big man tried to shake him off as he might an enraged terrier attached at the ankle.

“Git off, ye little hellion!”

“William! No!” Jerking up her skirts, she dashed to the boy.

Vaughan was there before her. He wrapped his arms around the skinny youth, effectively restraining the kicking fury, and hauled him back. “Stop this at once. No one will injure the horse, lad.”

Red-faced, teary, William reared his curly head around at the captain. “But he’s Stuart’s!”

“Plainly.”

Before Claire could think what to say or do under the incriminating circumstances, Ensign Anderson pounded from the stable. The young Loyalist arrived bare-headed, his dark hair dripping. He must’ve been sluicing himself in a bucket of water when William took off. His uniform awry, he’d hastily pulled on the green jacket of Tarleton’s Legion. Vaughan and McCray wore the red coats of the distinguished Seventeenth Light Dragoons, but they all served under Bloody Ban.

As if she needed reminding.

“Sorry, Captain—Lieutenant—” Anderson panted. “The boy got away from me.”

“Keep closer watch, or Master William is going back in his chamber.” Vaughan fixed her brother with a stern eye. “And I’m locking the door, lad.

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