Page 30 of Highland Crown
Hudson was stalling. He was waiting for the message to Fort George to come back with results. He was also biding his time, looking for an opening. Cinaed noticed the man focus on his bloody shirt. Most likely, he’d already decided where he’d punch or kick to make him drop the weapon.
Cinaed leaned against the table, forcing himself to stay alert.
“You recognized Mrs. Drummond and thought you’d make a quick profit from some treasonous radicals. We can protect you if you’re willing to make a deal. A far better deal.”
Mrs. Drummond.Cinaed shot a glance at Isabellaand tried to decide why the reformers would have placed a bounty on her. Her stoic expression gave nothing away. Drummond must be her husband’s name.
“Whatever they’ve offered you, the Crown can do better,” Hudson repeated, inclining his head slightly toward his subordinate. “Tell him, Davidson. Tell him how much this woman is really worth.”
“A thousand pounds sterling, sir.”
As the words floated in the air, Cinaed felt Isabella’s body go tense. No wonder she was worried that everyone was chasing after her. It was true.
“But you’ll never collect it,” Davidson continued.
“Shut up,” the lieutenant snapped.
“He won’t, sir. Not after drawing on a king’s officer.”
“Or after shooting one?” Cinaed suggested, his voice icy as the grave. “Along with a worthless sergeant?”
Isabella walked away from him and stood by Jean. He hoped she wouldn’t fall for the game he was playing.
“Why does the Crown want her so badly?” he asked.
“She’s the wife of Archibald Drummond, a ringleader of some radicals causing trouble in Edinburgh.”
Cinaed had been right in assuming she was connected to the reformers in the city.
“Do you want her in order to get to her husband?”
“The scoundrel Drummond is dead, his body dumped into a paupers’ grave with the rest of that scum.” The officer directed his reply toward Isabella, and Cinaed realized he was deliberately gauging how much pain he could inflict. “He was killed resisting arrest the day my men rooted out his den of spies and troublemakers.”
The room began to spin, and he squeezed the handle of the pistol harder, trying to bear down. He needed tohold on for just a while longer. “You killed the husband. What do you want with the wife?”
“She was a collaborator in her husband’s seditious activities. She knows the names of all the traitors. She’s the key to crushing this subversion of the king’s laws in the city.”
Now he understood why the radicals would also place a bounty on her head. She knew too much.
Hudson took a step away from the window, and Cinaed raised the pistol until it was pointed directly between the man’s eyes.
“If you attempt anything so foolish, Lieutenant, I’ll shoot you dead where you stand.”
“You’re the fool,” Hudson replied, his voice low and threatening. “This woman is nothing to you, and we’ll never allow you to take her.”
Cinaed glanced down at Isabella, impressed by her show of courage. She didn’t cringe at all but met the man’s gaze with matched hostility.
“This is my final offer,” the lieutenant said, turning his attention back to him. “You will leave behind my sword and pistol and walk out that door. In return, I shall pretend the past few minutes have only constituted a slight misunderstanding. In addition, I shall have Davidson make arrangements for you to collect the reward.”
“The thousand pounds?” Cinaed raised a brow to make sure they confirmed the amount. “All of it?”
“All of it.”
“Youdotake me for a fool, Hudson,” Cinaed scoffed. “You’ll have me arrested the moment I appear to collect the money.”
“Nay, sir. I swear to you, on my honor.”
“Allow me to be the first to tell you, Lieutenant, that your word of honor is meaningless in the Highlands.”
