Page 68 of Highland Champion
But it was too late. Lorelei could already hear the key turning in the lock. She and Emma would never get themselves hoisted through in time. She reached for the broken chair leg which came off in an easy snap and rushed for the door. Before she could get behind it, though, it opened, leaving her confronting her captor head on.
The bright light from outside caused him to squint into the darkness. In that split second, Lorelei realized she had the advantage. Raising the wooden leg, she swung with all her might, smashing him full in the face and hearing a loud crack. He reeled and then fell backward with a loud thump. She stared at him for a moment.
“Hurry!” Emma urged, bringing her out of her stupor. “Hurry!”
She raced to the window where Emma had already climbed out. The girl nearly pulled her through.
“Come,” she said. “This way.”
Lorelei didn’t ask where. They just ran.
…
By the time Alasdair neared St. Giles, some of the insane rage he’d felt leaving Mayfair had tempered and he was filled with a quiet determination. If the bastards had harmed Lorelei in any way—he didn’t want to think about the worst—they would be dead within minutes of him finding them.
The problem was, though, that he didn’t know where to look. He had foolishly run out of the house without getting descriptions from Fiona first. All he knew was there were four of them. His jaw clenched. Four men to accost two women. His temper began to rise again and he forced himself to squelch it. He needed to be calm, logical, and objective if he were going to be successful in finding Lorelei.
She was going to drive him completely barmy. What had she—and his sister!—been thinking to come into St. Giles without a guard? He cursed silently. Heshouldhave been more vigilant about following her and Fiona on their Monday outings. Heshouldhave known, as high-spirited and adventure-loving as Lorelei was, she wouldn’t be visiting anyplace safe. No. Heshouldhave suspected she’d go to the exact places no guardian in his or her right mind would let her go. But bloody hell. St. Giles?
He cursed again, aloud this time. Maybe part of this was his fault—if he had declared himself, letting Lorelei know he wanted to pay her court—then he would have been spending more time at her side. He’d had no idea, when he overheard her and Fiona plotting to distract him so they could be free to enjoy the Season, that they meant they were going to venture to places ladies should not be. He’dthoughtthey—especially his sister—meant having him hover over them would scare off dance partners. Not thatthatwas a bad idea but, since they were both just eight-and-ten, he’dthoughtto let them enjoy this one Season. He hadn’t expected serious suitors like Westwood, for certain… Alasdair shook his head. That problem would have to wait. But God, he had been an eejit. A. Complete. Eejit.
He left his horse near Charing Cross and Cranbourn at a public stable that was little more than a shack with several horse rails and a burly man in attendance. It was intended mostly for gentlemen who visited the courtesans of Covent Garden and didn’t wish to have their carriages recognized, which also made it a safe place to leave Kelso. He didn’t want to call attention to himself by riding into the area.
He started to plan his strategy as he walked the few streets over toward the Dials. There were a number of taverns there, and it was quite likely that the ruffians had been in one of them and seen Lorelei and Fiona pass by. It was also quite likely that others had witnessed the abduction.But will anyone give me information?
The people who lived in these blighted areas were highly suspicious of strangers. He wasn’t dressed as an aristocrat—plain breeches, linen shirt, and tweed jacket were his usual office attire—but the clothing was well-made, which would make him stand out. These people were also highly protective of their own, even if—and maybe especially—if they were known criminals.
As he was thinking of where to start, he heard footsteps running behind him. Instinctively he pulled hissgian dubhfrom his boot and whirled.
“Ye can put that thing away for now.”
Alasdair stared at his sister. “I told ye nae to come.”
“Och, well.” She didn’t seem fazed. “Ye doona ken who ye are looking for.”
Of course, Fiona would have to bring up that point. “I…” He stopped as a man rounded the corner and he groaned inwardly as Gavin approached. “Why did ye have to bringhim?”
Fiona gave him a look that plainly said he was quite the simpleton. Campbell’s expression was only slightly less obvious. “Ye are looking forfourmen. I thought an extra pair of fists might help.”
His first reaction was that his sister didn’t think him capable of accomplishing this mission himself. Then he realized his pride was pricked. Gavin Campbell might sound and act more English than Scot, but every lad raised in the Highlands knew how to use his fists, a knife, and a sword. And he’d seen his nemesis in action a time or two.
Besides, it was Lorelei who mattered, and he’d be foolish to turn away help. He swallowed hard. He was through being a fool. “I guess ye might come in handy.”
Gavin grinned. “I could not refuse the request of a beautiful lady.”
Fiona looked at him in astonishment and it was all Alasdair could do to keep from retorting. The man was goading him again by complimenting his sister. Not that she wasn’t pretty… He shook his head. They needed to focus on finding Lorelei.
Gavin seemed to sense something because he sobered and extended his hand to shake. “For today, we are partners. Let’s find Lorelei.”
Alasdair hesitated a second, then took the proffered hand. Stranger things than a Campbell and a MacGregor being partners must have happened, but he couldn’t recall any of them.
…
Emma led her through the twists and turns of the narrow, winding streets until Lorelei had no idea where she might be, but the girl didn’t slow down enough for her to ask. Finally, when her legs were wobbling so hard she was afraid she’d simply fall down, Emma slowed.
It took a minute to catch her breath. “Where are we?”
“Near the Dials.”
