Free The Chevalier by Jacqueline Seewald Page B

a dangerous man.
     
    ♥ ♥ ♥
     
    Madeline disliked the many hours of sitting stiffly in a moving coach. After a time, watching the scenery go by became monotonous. Their trip was as uneventful as it was uncomfortable until they reached Derby. Here they found people in total panic. Merchants were shutting their shops and local residents were running to the banks for payment of their notes.
    They disembarked at the local inn only to discover the landlord and his wife frightened out of their wits.
    “What is all the agitation about?” Maman asked them.
    “Your ladyship, don’t know that the Highland army is coming this way? The barbarians will kill us all!”
    “Nonsense,” her mother said indignantly. “That is totally absurd.” She demanded that they be served and offered to pay the landlord double his usual price, which had a remarkable effect in allaying his fears.
    They dined on wine and capon and were soon on their way, in spite of warnings from the citizenry. Six miles out of Derby, their coach was surrounded by riders, and they were stopped. Jim Wenders, their coachman, knocked on the door of the vehicle.
    “Beg, your pardon, milady, but there seems to be some soldiers wishing to speak with you.” He sounded very nervous.
    Maman stiffened her spine and opened the door immediately. The men who stared at them were rough-looking and bearded. Madeline saw immediately that they wore the tartan and the kilt, and allowed herself to breathe again.
    “Why they’re Highlanders,” she exclaimed excitedly.
    Maman gave her a sharp look that silenced Madeline, then turned back to face the men. “What is it that you want?”
    “We saw the white cockade on your driver’s hat and knew that you were sympathizers. Are you on your way to Scotland?”
    “That we are,” Mama responded. “And who would you be?”
    “Happen we’re of the clan Glengarry, Madame. And who would you be?”
    “My father was the Chief of the MacCarnan until he was attainted and forced to flee to France.”
    The Highlander rubbed his dark beard thoughtfully. “The MacCarnan clan is here with the Prince’s army. If you’ll wait, I’m certain you might visit with your relatives.”
    “Thank you. We’ll remain where we are.”
    Maman gave orders for their coach to be pulled to the side of the road. However, there was hardly a need: no one else was coming along the narrow country lane at this time. It was clear to Madeline that the deserted nature of the road was due to the panic surrounding the advent of the Highlanders.
    Madeline observed that her mother’s eyes were brilliant emeralds in silent anticipation of the meeting. “Perhaps you will finally get to see your cousin,” Maman said happily, “then you will think of no other man.”
    Did Maman realize how attracted she had been to Gareth Eriksen? Probably, for even in illness, there was no one more sensitive or perceptive. Madeline waited, uneasily shifting her weight from one side to the other. It seemed as if an eternity passed before riders returned again. Madeline looked out to see that only two men were actually on horseback. Although there were other soldiers, they were all on foot. Her mother was right; they were a handsome people, these Highlanders; tall, fair-skinned, fierce-looking warriors. They simply took her breath away.
    The man who rode up to their coach made her gasp in surprise. His hair was auburn, a dark red-brown, and his eyes were a deep forest green. His broad, muscular build made him seem quite formidable and virile.
    Leaning on Marie’s arm, her mother climbed out of the coach, straining with effort. Madeline quickly followed.
    “You are James and Annie’s son. I’d know you anywhere. I’m your cousin Katherine and this is my daughter, Madeline.”
    Andrew MacCarnan stared at them both as they came out of the coach. “They told me I had relatives here but I thought it some sort of joke.”
    “Indeed, we are going to visit your mother.”
    “It is