Charlotte turned back to the water. Reflection was a good idea. Maybe she hadn’t lied after all. Maybeshewas the trinket that had been lost or found and was now in the hands of Niall Fraser.
****
Niall felt like a complete eejit hidden in the alleyway across from the river’s bank, watching Charlotte. While he had done his share of lurking behind things in order to be privy to Government conversations, he didn’t like spying on the lass.
“I hope ye both will be satisfied when we’re done with this,” he told his father and brother, who stood behind him. “’Tis shameful what we’re doing.”
“Ye willna say that if it turns out she has an accomplice in Inverness,” his father said.
“Aye, and if she puts Frasers in danger,” Simon added.
Niall grunted. “She has nae done anything with the lie ye told her about our men moving toward Perth.”
“When has she had the opportunity before today?” his father asked.
“My point exactly,” Niall responded. “If she truly were sent by the colonel or other Campbells or Grants, she would have made some excuse to get to Inverness to relay the information to her courier as quickly as possible.”
“That might make her look suspicious,” Simon said. “She would know she had a bit of time to relay the message since it takes an army days to travel.”
His father nodded. “Aye. ’Twould be devious of her.”
If anyone knew about being devious, it was his father, but Niall bit back the words.
“She’s looking for someone,” Simon said, interrupting his thoughts.
Niall turned back to see what his brother was talking about. Charlotte stood not far from where they’d left her, her hand raised over her eyes as she scanned the street. “Mayhap she is just trying to get her bearings to decide which way to go.”
“Or she’s looking for someone.”
Sometimes his brother could be really pigheaded. Niall glowered at him. “Ye’ve already said that. ’Tis nae harm in looking about.”
“Nowwhat is she doing?” his father asked.
He turned back again and then furrowed his brows as he watched. Charlotte had started walking toward the river rather than to the shops. She was also stopping every few steps to look around.
“She’s looking for someone,” Simon said again.
Niall resisted the urge to plant his fist in his brother’s face. “It seems to me she’s looking at the ground, ye eejit.”
Simon considered. “Mayhap she’s hoping her henchman will find her if she lingers by the river. It’s crowded along the street.”
Niall took a deep breath. He supposed he shouldn’t entirely blame Simon for his scrutiny. He had trained with their uncle Charles of Inverallochy and, as the older brother, would be the one to lead the Lovat Frasers when they were called on by the prince. Niall would join them, but as the second son, he wouldn’t be the one making decisions.
Charlotte had taken a seat on a bench by the river and was gazing over the water. “It seems to me the lass is just relaxing.”
“Hmmm.” Simon came alongside him and then perked up, rather like a pointer dog finding a bevy of quail. “Someone is approaching her.”
“Aye. A woman,” Niall said dryly. “Do ye suspect her too?”
Instead of answering, Simon focused. Their father took another step forward as well. Niall frowned at both of them and then watched as the other woman sat down on the bench and began to talk with Charlotte. They were too far away to hear what was being said, of course, but it seemed like normal conversation to him. It didn’t take long, though, before the other woman got up and left.
Simon turned to their father. “What do ye think, Da?”
The older man narrowed his eyes. “I think we need to find out who the other lass is.”
“I agree. I’ll follow her.” Simon gave Niall a quick look and then was gone.
Niall sighed. “Da. Ye doona actually think that other woman is a spy?”
