He certainly didn’t want to make matters worse by letting Fergus know that Charlotte had overheard his conversation. He might very well let her go if he thought she was eavesdropping. Charlotte would then want to find another job and there weren’t many opportunities in Inverness that didn’t leave a lass vulnerable. Niall had already recognized a stubborn streak in her and, truthfully, he couldn’t fault her for wanting to earn some coin. He wouldn’t want to be totally dependent on hosts who were no relation. However, he avoided looking at his brother and father when he answered.
“I must have reached that conclusion after remembering that Murray had split the Jacobite forces in two and that one of them—Drummond, not Murray—would be coming to Stirling via Falkirk.” He managed a shrug. “Too much strategizing on my part.”
“I suppose it could be something they might consider,” Fergus replied after some thought.
Fergus seemed to accept the theory, although Simon and his father looked skeptical. At least, neither one of them said anything. He’d probably be barraged by questions from both of them later.
For now, though, he had a question himself. Where had Charlotte come up with that idea?
****
Charlotte had been half-expecting the summons ever since a rider showed up yesterday with the news that the English general had been routed at Falkirk, so she wasn’t surprised when it came.
What did surprise her, though, was that Niall was alone in the study when she arrived. He was seated behind the desk instead of in one of the armchairs by the hearth, and he wasn’t smiling. Neither of those things bode well, but she’d been expecting his father and brother to be in attendance too. She said a brief prayer of thanks that they weren’t there.
“Sit.” He pointed to the straight-back chair in front of the desk and then added, “Please.”
She sat, folded her hands in her lap, and stayed quiet. He leaned back and studied her. The silence grew nearly deafening. She willed herself not to squirm and forced herself to meet his gaze.
Finally, he reached for a paper. “Ye are aware we were sent this missive yesterday?”
“Yes.”
“Do ye want to read it?”
“No.”
He gave her another steady look before he glanced down at it. “Allow me to rekindle my memory, then.”
She doubted very much that he hadn’t memorized every word, but she said nothing.
“It says here,” he tapped the paper, “that General Drummond turned south to distract the English scouts. Meanwhile, General Murray joined up with MacDonalds and turned back to Falkirk. They arrived late in the afternoon with dusk approaching. Huske’s left flank was destroyed.” He laid the paper down and looked at Charlotte.
“That’s good, isn’t it?” she managed to say.
“Aye, but probably a matter of luck. ’Twas raining and the field was muddy. The dragoons’ horses churning the ground up made it hard for the infantry to follow. Murray’s men were to their right and a bog to their left, so they didna have much choice.”
“But the Scots won.”
“Not entirely. Huske’s right flank held firm. Because of the weather conditions and falling darkness, the Scots didna press on. By morning, Huske’s men had escaped back to Edinburgh.”
Charlotte tried to read Niall’s expression, but could tell nothing. “Isn’t retreating a good thing?”
“Aye.” He stared hard at her for what seemed like half an eternity. “Did ye send word to warn Huske?”
“What?” Charlotte had not been expecting that accusation. “No. Of course not.No. Why would I?”
He sighed. “Doona make this harder for both of us than it already is.”
“I don’t understand.”
“I asked Da to let me talk to ye first.” He gave her another intent look. “Neither Da nor Simon believes the story ye told about how ye arrived here. Ye had nae chaperone, nor clothing nor coin—”
“I explained all that. I was running away from a betrothal I didn’t want.”
Niall didn’t answer right away. Instead, he opened a drawer and pulled out another letter and laid it on the desk. “Ye may want to read this one. It came yesterday too.”
She eyed it warily. She hadn’t noticed another messenger yesterday, but there had been men coming and going. She picked it up carefully as though it might suddenly develop life and attack her. When she saw the letterhead—from Fort William—dread filled her. After she finished reading the short message, her blood chilled. She put the letter down.
