Page 47 of Keeping Kate
“He was no bother,” Kate said.
“None at all,” Alec agreed. “Jean, we will need to leave before dawn tomorrow. With luck, Jack should be here before then. But we must keep our departure secret, so if the soldiers ask where we went, we will need your help.”
“I know nothing.” Her brown eyes sparkled with delight. “Is it because you had a secret wedding? I wondered so. Did someone send an escort to stop your elopement?”
“Something like that,” Alec said.
Jean smiled. “Och, so exciting! And do not fret, the red soldiers have taken to their beds after much drink. I do not think you will see themvery early.”
“Good,” Kate said, and Alec nodded abruptly.
“Here, Mistress Fraser, I brought this for you,” Jean said, reaching for the bundle. “You were kind to watch my bairn. And I could see that your things were wet because you were stranded with the carriage breaking down. And now you are waiting—well, I know well about waiting for Jack,” she added with a wry smile.
“Truly, you do not need to give me anything,” Kate said.
“Please take it.” She held out the bundle. “These do not fit me as well since the babe was born. I meant to take out the seams, but here, I think they will fit you. And your gown is stained,” she said, glancing at Kate’s mud-spattered dress.
Nodding her thanks, Kate unwrapped linen toweling to pull out a chemise of embroidered linen, and with it a gown the color of burgundy wine. Gasping with pleasure, she held it against her. The cut was simple, a generous skirt and snug attached bodice with long sleeves and a trimming of lace.
“It is lovely!” Kate beamed, looking at Jean. “But I could not accept it.”
“It is snug on me now, and will only sit until I find time to take out the sides and bodice. Jack gave it to me two years ago, and I only wore it to country dances on market days and holidays.”
“The lace here is exquisite,” Kate said, fingering the delicate trim.
“French,” Jean said proudly. “The color is very fine on you—it puts roses in your cheeks and is lovely with your hair. Captain Fraser, what do you think?”
Alec tilted his head, studying Kate. She glanced at him, draping the bodice of the gown over her own. The fabric, dark as rich wine, warmed her ivory skin and made her coppery golden hair shimmer. “Ver fine,” he said. “You will look like the queen of all the fairies in that, gowned in scarlet and gold.”
“Aye so,” Jean agreed.
“This is a generous gift, Jeanie. Let me replace it with something new for you. I will send something once I get home to Edinburgh.”
“I would like to help you choose it.” Kate’s glance met his with a world of meaning there—he knew she wondered where she would go once they reached the city.
“Thank you so much. For everything,” Jean said. Holding the child, she went to the door. “As soon as Jack MacDonald arrives, I will let you know. And not a word to the red soldiers about any of this, of course.”
They both went with Jean to the door, and Alec reached over Kate’s head to open it. In part, he needed to be ready should Kate try to flee.
“Thank you, Jeanie,” Kate said. “And good night, little one. I am sorry, I did not learn his name yet,” she added.
“John Alasdair MacLennan. I call him Wee Jack.”
“Ah, it suits,” Kate said with a smile.
Jean bid them goodnight, and Alec shut the door, turning to see his troublesome Highland captive—he would not label her a prisoner—at the bed, folding the gown and undergarments. She glanced at him warily.
“What now, Captain Fraser?”
“You could try on the gown now if you like. Yours did rather suffer in the rain.”
“I could put it on,” she said, holding it up, “and then show you the back of me as I run from this place and your life altogether. How would that be?”
“Always bargaining, I see. And still talking of escape. Do you need to wear these as well?” Alec picked the canvas satchel and quickly pulled the irons from it, a heavy, clanking mass that he was reluctant to use. But keeping a wayward girl in custody along Highland roads had proven a challenge already, and might only worsen.
She stepped backward. “Not that.” She edged toward the door, slipping a hand behind her to grasp the handle.
In one stride, Alec was there, wedging his foot against the door to keep it shut, the chains dangling in his hand.
