Page 135 of The Highlander's Princess Bride
“At least it doesn’t sound like anyone was being coerced,” Victoria said.
“Lady Ainsley would not suffer quietly if she were,” Nicholas said as he led her back to the carriage.
“I simply cannot understand it. Why would Ainsley do something like this?”
He climbed in next to her. “She and Royal seem to have reached some kind of rapprochement, as you pointed out a few days ago.”
“Yes, but marriage?”
“There’s little point in speculating, Victoria.”
“You needn’t snap my nose off, my lord,” she huffed. “None of this is my fault.”
His gaze narrowed, but he wisely refrained from answering.
They took refuge in a grim silence and stopped only to change horses and for Victoria to dash to the necessary. The earl practically vibrated with impatience. More than once she even got the distinct impression he wanted to leave her behind. Still, whenever she climbed back into the carriage, she found another heated brick for her feet and Nicholas carefully tucked the lap blanket around her before starting off.
Fortunately, they were finally gaining ground. By the time they left Arrochar and approached Kendrick lands, they were less than an hour behind.
Victoria shivered as they drove out of the slanting afternoon sunlight into the shade of the large elm trees that lined the road. The densely wooded valley was the entrance to Arnprior’s domain from the west. Once they cleared the forest, the glen would open up into the fields and tenant farms that surrounded the castle.
Arnprior glanced down at her. “Not much longer now. Once we clear the pass ahead, it’s only a half hour to Kinglas.”
“Do you think we’ll catch them before they reach the castle?”
“Yes, but there’s obviously no chance of getting them back to Glasgow today. I only hope Braden and Alec are able to lay down covering fire and keep MacBride and Peyton from coming after us.”
“I’m fairly certain Alec will be coming after us,” Victoria said. And he’d be breathing fire since she had the distinct impression her cousin had come to the end of his patience with the Kendrick men.
“He bloody well better not. I was very clear in my note that he was to remain in Glasgow and support Braden.”
“Edie will help Braden, I’m sure,” Victoria said. “But she and Alec are already worried about Ainsley and will wish to know that all is well.”
He pondered that for a few moments. “Something is clearly wrong with her ladyship. Haven’t a clue what it is, though.”
“Royal no doubt does. Maybe this entire escapade has something to do with it.”
The horses picked up speed as they hit a better patch of road. It was colder in the woods, and the roadbed less of a swamp.
“What I haven’t been able to figure out,” she went on, “is what they thought could be gained by this. Angus left us a detailed note, for heaven’s sake. Did he not know we would pursue them?”
Nicholas smiled. “Finally thought of that, did you, lass?”
She flashed him an irritated glance. “I had a few other things on my mind, like a possible murder charge. Perhaps that distracted me.”
“Victoria, I don’t want you to worry about Fletcher. I won’t let him hurt you.” He paused for a few seconds. “Regardless of what happens between us.”
She tried to ignore the stab of pain at the implications of “regardless.” “I appreciate the sentiment, sir, but you cannot guarantee that.”
“I can and I do.”
Unfortunately, even he didn’t have the power to protect her unless they were married, a highly unlikely occurrence at this point.
“We’ll have to wait and see what happens,” she said.
“Victoria—”
“My lord,” she said, determined to change the subject, “how could Angus think he could get away with this? It makes no sense.”
