Page 20 of Keeping Kate

When Ian had kissed her, she felt no magic, as he did—it had been like kissing her brother or a cousin. In all the kisses she had given or shared, heartfelt or not, the only magic she had ever felt had been in the arms of the captain who was about to escort Ian Cameron to his possible death.

“Hey, lassie,” MacDow crooned. “Ye bussed Highland Donald but refused me. And he said it was magic. Ye’re a right witch and I like it. Now it is thee and me alone.” He grinned, began to move.

“Stay where you are,” she snapped, “or I will cast a spell you will never forget.”

He paused, gaping at her.

“Best heed her warning,” Captain Fraser said. “Or else answer to me. Guards, watch him closely.” He walked away.

Kate went to the opposite wall, slid down, and pulled her trembling knees close.

“The fairy queen? From London?”Jack MacDonald stared at Alec.

“The very one.” Alec opened a canvas satchel and crammed in a clean shirt, tartan stockings, and a thick sheaf of papers tied with string. He still needed to review the documents and needed to find the time soon.

“Where are you taking her?” Jack asked. “She is a spy? And you did not tell me this before?”

“I was not sure until recently. And she has not confirmed it herself, tells us nothing. But I believe she is the one we have all been seeking.”

“She is a clever wee fairy, then.”

“Seems so. I am to escort her to Edinburgh to see the Lord Advocate.”

Jack snorted. “Your uncle? He will chew her to bits and wash it down with Fraser hot chocolate.”

“Aye well. That may be.”

“Then we may both feel sorry for the lass.” Jack shook his head in regret. “Oh, before I forget. The post rider brought this for you.” He handed him a packet. “If we ride with the dragoons in the morning when they take Cameron, it will be better than the lass traveling alone with the lot of them.”

“We are not going with them.” Alec slipped the small, thick packet into a coat pocket. “I want you to go into town tonight and hire a carriage and horses. Do not charge it to the army’s account. Pay coin for it. Here.” He took money from his sporran and held it out. “Be quick about it.”

“Why not use one of the vehicles in the stables here?”

“I cannot get one of those until morning, if then.”

“So we are off tonight? On our own without orders?”

Alec closed the satchel. “Wade ordered me to take her south, but not so soon.”

Jack folded his arms, studying him. “I wondered why you were packing in haste. This is not like you, staid Fraser that you are. I am shocked.” He said it wryly, but his gaze turned serious.

Alec shrugged. “I am a bit shocked myself. But it must be done before anyone can interrogate her again. Grant cannot be trusted.”

“We know that. But something else is afoot here. You are not the sort to go snatching women in the dark of night.”

“Tonight I am calling up a little madness from the other side of my family.”

“She must be quite valuable, this wee spy of yours.”

“Not mine, but aye. She is more valuable than the government knows. I want her out of their hands before they realize it.”

“Jacobite business, but what? The missing weapons? We have heard rumors about that lot from your uncle MacDonald of—”

“I will explain later.” Alec tossed the satchel to Jack. “Right. Off with you, then. I will get the girl released and meet you by the gate. We need to be quick about it.”

“If we are rescuing the wee fairy queen, count on me, lad.”

“We are not rescuing her. We are taking her to justice.”

“That is not the gentlemanly thing, Alec.”

“It cannot be helped.”

“No? We are both under the wee fairy’s spell. But I am not afraid to say it.” With a grin, Jack shouldered the satchel and walked out the door.