Page 54 of In the Highlander's Bed

“I don’t know who it was. It was dark and the next morning—” She broke down again.

Gordon held her tight, letting her release all the sorrow, all the tension, all the regrets of the past months. “We shall see this through, Fee,” he promised. “Together, as a family. I will make it right.”

She pushed away to look up at him. “Do you know what I’ve been thinking this day?”

He shook his head.

“I’ve been thinking how I wish I was like Constance.” In answer to his obvious surprise, she said, “She’s a bit of a bully.”

Gordon had to smile, and was rewarded when his sister smiled with him. She wiped her wet cheek with the heel of her hand. “But she is brave and not afraid to say what she thinks or to defend herself. What if I’d tried to fight when the soldiers took me, Gordon? What if I had escaped?”

“You might have been hurt worse,” he said quietly. “We aren’t like the English. We don’t brutalize our hostages.”

“But we could be,” she answered. “Those soldiers acted on their own, Gordon. Can you control your men any better? I think not.”

He wanted to believe she was wrong, but then thought of Thomas. “I can and Iwill,” he promised. He hugged her close. “Fee, don’t let this defeat you. If you do, they’ve won. Perhaps our fortunes have changed. I can’t promise you a Season in London or the hopes of marrying some duke. But perhaps it’s time for new dreams. It’s a new world we live in. We must learn how to adjust.”

She contemplated the wisdom of his words. But when she spoke, it was not to say what he had expected. “You are right, Gordon. Our lives have changed, but if I am to accept the new, why can’t you? Why are you fighting a battle to keep theoldways?”

He released his hold. She’d caught him. He shook his head. “The rebellion is different,” he assured her.

“I’m not certain it is,” she said softly. “Perhaps weallneed to learn a new life.”

He wanted to argue…couldn’targue. If she didn’t understand—

A slurping noise interrupted their conversation. Both turned to see Tad greedily cleaning off their plates. He was standing on his hind legs, his front paws on the rock. His tail wagged until he noticed them. Then he had the grace to lower his head and slink off.

The moment broke the tension.

Both of them burst into laughter in a way neither had since a much happier time. It felt good. It reinforced this tenuous, still fragile connection between them.

Gordon took the plates. Tad had left a bit of the hare on one of them. “Here,” he said, offering it to the dog. Tad appeared chastened but stuck his tongue out anyway to take the last licks.

The stars were out now, and there was little fog yet across the loch. Gordon knew what Constance would think about a dog-licked plate, so he took one and tossed it out over the water as if skipping a rock. Turning to his sister, he said, “Do you want this one?”

Her lips curved into one of her rare smiles. She came over to take the plate and managed to throw it farther than he had, a point of great pride.

He took her arm. “We need to head back.”

They’d walked halfway to the camp, Tad trotting behind them, when Fiona slowed her step.

“There is something you should know,” she said. “I went to your tent this morning to release Constance. I tried to help her escape.”

And Constance hadn’t taken advantage of the opportunity? “Why would you do that?”

“I feared for her.”

She’d been frightened of him. “Do you still?” It hurt to think Fee could throw him in with that bastard who had hurt her.

Fiona rolled her eyes. “No, she knows how to take care of herself. I watched her today and I was so jealous. It is as if she never lets anything stand in her way, even dumping fresh dirt in a latrine. And you should have seen the women, Gordon. Theywantedto please her. Not one of them could do enough, and this after weeks of lazy idleness. Constance is strong and full of faith and life. She made me realize what I was doing to myself.”

“Did she say this to you?”

“She doesn’t have to. It comes from every pore of her body. She truly does feel she can accomplish anything, and right now, Gordon, she has decided to help us. She’s joined your rebellion. I think you should know. After what I saw today, tomorrow she’ll be drilling your men.”

“I don’t know whether to be alarmed or thankful.” He put his arm around his sister’s shoulders, uncertain what Constance’s new direction would mean. “At least, for now,” he murmured, “I needn’t worry about her running away.”

“You may be wishing she would,” Fiona answered, and they both laughed.