Page 28 of Keeping Kate
Fraser dropped the key into a pocket and inclined his head in silence, waiting.
Kate sighed. “I cannot blame you for thinking I am a wanton. But I am not. Nor am I a criminal in need of restraint.” She lifted her chained wrists. “You could free me here, just while we travel, if only out of courtesy.”
“I might, if I could believe thatIcould trust you. If I cannot, then you had best go to sleep. It will be a long ride.” He settled back.
“Please,” she said. “The cuffs are hurting me.”
He tilted his head, relaxed rather than arrogant. She hated it all the same. “Just a little of the truth would help.”
“The truth is you are a damnable beast.”
“You need a tongue-scrubbing.” He closed his eyes.
She sighed. “What can I bargain other than my name?”
“Do you really want a man to answer that?” He cocked a brow, eyes still closed.
She knew what he meant. Remembering luscious kisses, Kate glanced at him, at his lips, his hands. Blushing furiously, she was glad of the darkness. “Very well. My name is Marie Katherine. I cannot tell you more. Please understand. It would endanger too many.”
“Well, that is more than we had.” He took the key out.
She lifted her hands. “At least loosen the manacles.”
“Iron cuffs cannot be loosened, darling. They are either on, or they are off.”
“Off, then. Please,” she added. Darling—like his laugh, that melted her too, weakened her. For an instant, she felt the sting of tears, drew a breath against it.
He toyed with the key. “Why were you in my quarters?”
“Laundry,” she said.
“I did enjoy the clean shirt. What do you know about Spanish weapons?”
She nearly gasped. If she gave away that her kinsmen and Ian Cameron were searching for those weapons, and if he learned her name, everything her brother and others had struggled for would be destroyed. They would be arrested, even executed. But if she could trust Fraser with the information—
But that was preposterous. “Spanish weapons?” She shrugged. “I imagine they would be quite expensive, being imported from Spain.”
“There were hundreds, perhaps a thousand or more Spanish weapons, guns and such, hidden by Jacobites ten years ago. Some were found recently. I suspect you know something about it.”
“If they were recently found, then why ask me?”
He sighed, then reached out and placed his hand over hers. The warm contact felt stunning in the rain-chilled darkness. Inserting the key, twisting it, he removed the heavy bracelets one by one, and pooled the chains and manacles on the floor.
“Thank you.” Kate rubbed her chafed wrists. “Why did you decide to do that?”
“Bewitched into it,” he drawled. “But you will wear those later, lass. I suspect there is a good deal more you can share about some matters, Marie-Katie-Katherine, and I will not let you go until I have it all.” His voice dropped to a velvety caress.
“If I did, you would let me go?” Her heart began beating very fast.
“Into the Lord Advocate’s custody. He will decide what should be done with you.”
Kate sighed and leaned into the corner by the window, resting her brow against the window glass. Watching the darkness stream past, lulled by the motion of the vehicle, she sighed. When she glanced quickly at Captain Fraser, he seemed thoughtful, relaxed, legs extended, arms folded. He was not one to show tension or trouble, rather hiding it behind an aura of ease and control. Such men were hard to decipher.
She studied his form, the broad shoulders, the long, taut limbs. He would be quick and strong if she made a move to escape—but if he fell asleep, she might have a chance to get away.
But how? Was she brave enough—or mad enough—to throw herself out the door of a moving vehicle? She did not think so, but wondered if it was possible. Any risk was preferable to trial and incarceration.
Later she would consider it. Just now, she felt exhausted and had to rest a little. She closed her eyes, unwilling to think about Spanish weapons or kinsmen in danger. Nor did she want to think overmuch about the man sitting beside her, though her thoughts continually returned to him.
She wanted only to sleep for a little, and soon surrendered.
