Free Highland Soldiers: The Betrayal by J.L. Jarvis Page A

way?”
    “You are mine, and I am yours. I will not let you go.”

 
     
     
Chapter 8
     
    It was nearly dark when Jenny crept inside through the kitchen door. “Where have you been?” said her father in a stern, but hushed voice.
    Jenny flinched. “Walking.”
    His eyes narrowed. “Walking? So your headache is better.”
    Jenny had nearly forgotten. “My headache? Oh yes, the fresh air–”
    “Come with me.” They would not talk in the kitchen, where the household staff might overhear. With a firm grip on her elbow, Andrew led his daughter to his study. As soon as he closed the door behind him, Andrew’s face reddened. “Dinnae lie to me, lass, for I know where you’ve been and with whom!”
    Jenny flinched. Even fiercer than his words was the condemnation. As Jenny took in a breath, bracing herself to deny it, Tavish rose from a chair in the corner. She had not noticed him there, as had no doubt been his intention. Jenny turned to her father, but found no quarter there. She exhaled and cast her eyes downward. “I’ve done nothing wrong.”
    Andrew yelled, “Dinnae lower yourself even more by denying it!”
    Her cheeks flushed as her father proceeded.
    “You were seen with that cotter.”
    Jenny lifted her chin, wanting to seem bold, but soon withered. She hated herself for it.
    Tavish rescued her from the tense silence. “Sir, might I speak with your daughter alone?”
    Andrew MacRuer cast a questioning look at Tavish, who appeared the most calm of the three. As the wronged party, he clearly had the advantage, which he now gently pressed. He was all grace and forgiveness, which Jenny found hard to believe. With a gruff nod, her father retreated, closing the door firmly behind him. Tavish offered his arm. “Will you come to the window, Jenny? Look at the sunset. It’s very pretty.” Tavish laid his hand upon hers, still linked in his arm. He gazed down at their hands as he stroked hers. “When I look to the sky in the evening, I expect some show of beauty. It does not disappoint.”
    Jenny wanted to run toward that sunset.
    Still stroking her hand, Tavish spoke in soothing tones. “When I asked for this hand, I expected certain things.”
    Jenny braced herself, but with no warning, her guilt and her shame seemed to dissolve, as relief took its place. For she realized that after this, he would want to break off the betrothal. A scandal would follow, and yet all she could think of was how she would be free. She and Duncan could marry. Nothing else mattered. No matter what happened, she and Duncan would follow their hearts.
    Tavish said, “The world is a very small place, and we are such a small part of it, really.”
    “Tavish, I’m sorry. I never wanted to hurt you.”
    “Hurt? No. But I was disappointed. I must say, though, you surprised me. You’ve got passion within that cold breast.”
    Now uneasy, her heart pounded as Tavish continued. “Aye, I saw your wee roll in the hay. Or should I say, in the leaves?”
    Jenny could not form the right words to say.
    Tavish watched her, amused. “I grew bored with your father’s company, so I thought I’d go for a walk. When I reached the lane, I saw my sweet betrothed rushing into the woods with a man. So I followed you–for your protection.” With a knowing gaze, Tavish smiled.
    Jenny cringed.
    “You are lucky I did not tell your father all that I saw.”
    Dread weighed on her chest at the thought of her father’s reaction.
    “I told him a bit of a lie. I said you were out walking and holding your farmer boy’s hand.” He drew so close she could smell his warm breath. “I dinnae tell him what else you were holding.”
    Nausea swept over her in a wave.
    Tavish drew close until his lips nearly touched her earlobe. “My, my, Jenny. I find myself looking forward to our wedding night, and many nights after that.” With a glance toward the door that Andrew had closed behind him, Tavish circled part way around Jenny until he faced the door.