Page 19 of Highland Jewel
“You wouldn’t.” She glanced over to make sure he was teasing.
“You already know what I am capable of.”
Regardless of what he said, Maisie trusted that he would not intrude on her family again without an invitation.
Niall suddenly reached out and took hold of her elbow, pulling her toward him as she nearly stepped into a hole filled with muddy water and ice. She held onto his arm as she found her footing.
“Thank you. I should pay more attention to where I’m going.”
“I’m good for many things. Finding carriages, stopping you from disappearing into puddles as deep as Loch Lomond.”
Saving her from vengeful dragoons, she thought.
“Did you really justhappento turn up in Canongate tonight? Be honest now.”
“Would you believe me if I said I came here hoping to speak with you, Miss Murray?”
She stopped short and one foot slipped out from under her, catching on a raised paving stone and sending her stumbling toward a set of wooden steps. His arm encircled her waist, catching her in midair. As he set her down onto her feet, she had to take a moment.
“Are you hurt? Did you turn an ankle?”
He guided her to the doorway of a shop, out of the way of other pedestrians, who cast curious glances at them as they passed. His hand still lingered on her waist. He wore no gloves, but the cold didn’t seem to affect him. On the contrary, warmth emanated from him. She shook off the thought, trying to regain her sanity before her own foolishness made her completely dreamy-eyed.
“I’m perfectly well.”
“You’re hurrying. Are you expected home at a certain hour?”
She wasn’t. The family rarely dined together formally during the week. Medical emergencies, visiting patients, as well as Archibald’s meetings with other activists encroached on the evening hours. Maisie often missed the light suppers that were laid out in the dining room, and no one noticed. Only Isabella occasionally asked how she was spending her time, but in general, no one asked where she’d been or with whom.
“I don’t like to arrive home too late. But perhaps I was pressing a little.” Maisie started up the hill again, this time at a more leisurely pace. He fell in step beside her. “Why did you wish to speak to me?”
“You’re my sister’s friend and a partner in her causes.But it seems to me that you two have very little in common.”
His attentions all made sense now. He was worried about Fiona. Maisie breathed deeply, understanding. Her feet were on solid ground again. Flimsy, misguided ideas of romance no longer caused her insides to quiver every time he looked at her.
“Do you really need me to tell you that people can be different, in age or circumstances, and still find a common cause that binds them?”
“Hardly. I’ve lived my life as a soldier. Military regiments and campaigns are built on the same belief.” He put a hand on her elbow at an intersection, and they waited for a carriage to go by.
“Well then, what is it that concerns you?”
“Your motivation.”
“My motivation in wanting to be your sister’s friend?”
“No. I can easily understand that. She’s a good woman. And she certainly could use a friend like you.”
A friend like you.She was relieved. That sounded very much like a compliment. They reached the juncture of High Street and South Bridge, and Maisie stopped beneath the flickering streetlamp. The short, squat spire of the Tron Church rose into the snow-filled night sky ahead of them.
“Considering your background, it’s your political positions that I don’t understand.”
Maisie knew he was reacting the same way her family would if she told them the truth of what she was doing. They’d undoubtedly think her actions were motivated by the desire to please someone else. After all, this was Maisie. She was unable to think for herself, decide for herself.
“Allow me to clarify what I said.”
He must have seen the look of betrayal in her expression. “Please do.”
“What do you know of my sister’s history?”
