Page 25 of The Highlander Who Loved Me
She let out a little huff. “Well, I never!”
“’Tis no wonder. No man could endure chasing after ye and still have enough spirit left in his body to do more than collapse.”
She shot the physician a glance, hoping to glimpse outrage at his brother’s uncouth words. Harrison MacMasters seemed a gentleman, far more so than the man who’d swept her away from the tavern. But she saw no censure. No anger. Only a twitch of his lips that betrayed the beginnings of a smile.
Harrison’s attention settled on the door. The white-capped sentry stood in the portal, interest brightening her blue eyes. She came closer, seeming to inspect Johanna. “I’d already seen the bottom of ye. It’s good t’get a look at yer face.”
Johanna couldn’t keep the words in. “I beg yer pardon.”
A smile tugged at the spindly matron’s lips, softening her care-lined features. “I saw ye makin’ yer escape. I’ve seen many a woman come and go from this place, but I can’t say I’ve ever seen any make quite as interestin’ an exit.”
“Oh. My.” Johanna’s cheeks heated.
“Ye’re a bonny one, ye are.” She slanted Connor MacMasters a knowing glance. “I can see why she caught yer eye.”
“Actually, it’s not the lass who’s caught my eye, ye busy-body.” MacMasters sounded like he held back a laugh. “I’m more interested in that leather bag of hers.”
“Knowin’ ye as I do, I’m half inclined t’believe ye.” The housekeeper sent him a wink. “Now that the lass has returned, I thought ye might be needin’ me.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Duncan, but your assistance is not needed,” the physician said.
“Since ye’re all up and about, would ye like me to put on a fresh pot of tea?” The matron stalled.
Harrison nodded. “As a matter of fact, that might be just the thing. I’ll come with you. I’ve developed a sudden taste for that shortbread you made this afternoon.”
“I’d be happy to bring it to ye.”
Harrison marched to the door. “I’ll get it. I need to stretch my legs.”
The heavy panel closed behind the physician’s back with a softsnick.
A renewed sense of alarm coursed through Johanna’s body. She was alone with Connor MacMasters. She felt no fear of the man. But, my, the man had the capacity to unnerve her. The delicious impulses his nearness spurred in her body were far more troubling than fear.
Connor leaned against the desk, his stance deceptively casual. The granite set of his jaw contradicted his relaxed posture. Well, she wasn’t about to be cowed. Not even by the likes of him.
“Tell me what Cranston wants with ye. He’s not one to negotiate.”
“I have no intention of discussing my arrangements with the man. Not with you. Nor your brother. Not even with the ghost of Bonnie Prince Charlie.”
“The man is not a fool. If ye think to deceive him, ye’ll find ye’ve made a grave error.”
“I’ve no need for deception. I’m prepared to honor his terms.”
“Honor?” Connor slowly shook his head. “He doesnae know the meaning of the word.”
“At least, I know what he wants. I have no idea of your motives. What reason do I have to believe you possess more integrity than the men in that alley?”
“Ye’re still breathing. And untouched. That sets me several notches above the likes of those bastards.” He crossed his arms over his broad chest. “Ye want to take yer chances with those louts. Then go. Find out for yerself what I’m telling ye is true.”
She pulled in a breath. “Tell me why I should throw my lot in with you.”
“I cannae do that. If I were you, I wouldn’t trust any of us. I’d make my way back to London, and from there, I’d sail to America and pray Cranston didn’t catch up with me.” He cocked his head to one side, seeming to study her. “That’s what I’d do, Miss Templeton.”
MacMasters eyed her with a gaze that made her feel stripped, more vulnerable than she’d ever felt in her life. She watched the flickers of emotion in his eyes. Was he telling the truth? Or was he a skilled charlatan who knew how to manipulate her fears? The reality was yet to be determined.
Damn the man. What did he know of the desperation that clawed at her belly? Of the regret that she’d done nothing to prevent her niece’s abduction? Of her need to find Laurel, no matter the cost?
Determined to bring the child home, she’d boarded a train in King’s Cross on a grim, drizzly morning when the chill cut to the bone. By this time, Laurel should’ve been at her side. Tears welled in Johanna’s eyes. She blinked them away and swallowed hard against the bitter taste of defeat. She couldn’t let the girl pay the price for her failure. She had to save her.
