Free Sarah Gabriel by Keeping Kate Page B

brought this for you from Edinburgh.” Jack handed him a packet. “I suppose if we ride along with the dragoons, ’tis better than the lass going alone with ’em.”
    “We’re not riding with ’em,” Alec said, slipping the package into a coat pocket. “I want you to go into Fort William tonight and hire a carriage and horses. Do not charge it to the army’s account. Pay coin for it—use this,” he said, taking money from his sporran.
    Jack accepted it. “Why not use one of the vehicles in the stables here?”
    “I cannot get one of those until morning.”
    “So we’re off tonight, then? On our own, I presume?”
    Alec nodded, closing the satchel. Jack leaned a shoulder against the wall, studying him. “I wondered why you were packing in haste. This isn’t like you, man, being the staid sort of Fraser and all. I’m shocked.” He said it teasingly, but his gaze was serious.
    Alec shrugged. “I’m a bit shocked myself. Nonetheless, it will be done, before anyone has the chance to interrogate her any further. Francis Grant cannot be trusted.”
    “I could have told you that. But there’s something else at stake here. You are not the sort to go snatching women in the dark of night.”
    “Tonight I’ll call up a little madness from the other side of my family, how’s that,” Alec answered wryly.
    “She must be quite valuable, this wee spy of yours.”
    “She is. More valuable than the government even realizes, and I want her out of here before it occurs to them.”
    Jack frowned. “What is it? Jacobite business, but what? Those missing weapons? I know you’ve had a letter about the rumors of those things from your uncle, MacDonald of—”
    “I’ll explain later.” Alec lifted the satchel and tossed it to Jack. “Right. Off with you, then. And be quick about it.”
    “If we’re set to rescue the fairy queen,” Jack said, “I’ll do whatever is necessary.”
    “We’re not going to rescue her. We’re going to take her to justice in Edinburgh,” Alec growled.
    “Hey, that’s not the gentlemanly thing.”
    “Does that matter to you, with a lass in every county?”
    “Ah, but only one of those has my heart,” Jack said. “I’m under the wee fairy’s spell, too, and I’m not ashamed to say it.” With a grin, he shouldered the pack and walked out the door.
    Scowling, Alec followed in silence, not about to admit that he, too, had fallen a little under whatever magic Katie Hell exuded.

Chapter 7
    R emoving his cocked hat, Alec shook the moisture off, then brushed raindrops from his sleeves. Standing outside the dungeon cell again, he peered through the iron bars.
    The girl sat with her back against the wall, knees propped up, head tucked on her folded arms. Shuddering with the chill in the air, she looked forlorn.
    When Alec and the others had escorted Cameron outside, a raw autumn storm had burst while they waited for a cart and horses to be brought round for the escort. Rain and wind delayed their efforts, but Grant ordered the dragoons to travel without stopping, regardless of the weather.
    Overhearing Grant as he ordered one of the dragoons to move the female prisoner later that night to be transferred under cover of darkness, Alec had slipped away at that point to pack his bag and make his own arrangements with Jack MacDonald, knowing that he had to get Kate away from here, and Grant, as soon as he could.
    He stood by the cell door, yet Katie Hell did not glance toward him. Sheets of rain pounded the high, narrow window, and chilly air blew through the dankness. The girl shivered again.
    “Kate,” Alec said, reaching into his pocket.
    She lifted her head then. Disheveled and weary, she still retained an indefinable, enchanting quality. Her remarkable silvery eyes snapped anger as she looked at him.
    He dangled the silver necklace from his fingers, letting it catch the light. Minutes ago, he had claimed it from the sergeant for a bribe of a few shillings. As it swung in his hand,