Page 66 of Keeping Kate

“He mentioned that.”

“Did he? Usually he keeps his past and his thoughts to himself.”

“All those rules and such. A good Whig.”

“Hardly,” Jack said.

She leaned toward him. “What do you mean?”

“Ask him yourself. He might tell you.”

“Is he—could he be a Jacobite sympathizer?” Once born, the idea thrilled her.

“You will have to ask him. Even so, either way,” he said sternly, “his politics do not erase your arrest, your upcoming hearing, and his duty to his orders.”

She frowned, somber again, dreading what awaited in Edinburgh. “Have you heard about Spanish weapons and recent arrests of Highlanders?”

“All I know is that you must tell Alec what you know before men lose their lives.”

She sat up, wanting to ask more. In that moment, Alec stirred and rolled over.

“You two are still talking?” he asked groggily.

“I have been waxing poetic on all your fine points,” Jack said. “But the lady still thinks you are descended of a water beast.”

“Go to the devil,” Alec grunted, rolling over to sleep again.

Jack stood and bowed to Kate. “I will take my leave of you now, Katie MacCarran. You must decide what you most want. But do not take too long, hey.”

He smiled and went to the door, opening and closing it with a quiet click.

He did not lock it behind him.