Even though Charlotte had “predicted” it, Niall was surprised at how quickly Fort Augustus surrendered. A messenger from Colonel Stapleton’s regiment had arrived a short time ago, and his father had summoned Simon and himself to the council room.
Their bruises had healed, although anger still lingered. It wasn’t because they’d fought—they’d tussled often enough as boys and even young men—but this went deeper than physical assault. He sensed Simon no longer trusted him because he’d defended Charlotte. He could even understand that to a degree, but he could hardly tell Simon the truth. If itwasthe truth. His logical mind still had problems accepting travelling through Time, even if everything Charlotte had told him so far had come to fruition.
“What do ye think?” his father asked.
Thinking? His father wanted to know his thoughts? The notion quickly passed when he realized everyone was looking at him, waiting for an answer to some question he hadn’t heard. “I guess I was woolgathering.”
Simon gave him a sideways smirk, which Niall understood was an accusation that his woolgathering had been about Charlotte. True in its own way, but wrong implication. He hadn’t been lusting after her. At least, not right now.
“Please repeat the question.”
“It was more of an opinion we were asking for,” the messenger said. “What do ye think of Major Wentworth being accused of surrendering too early and facing court- martial?”
He really hadn’t been paying attention. “Too early? Hadn’t the fort been under attack for a week?”
“Aye,” the man answered. “It could have been destroyed earlier, what with the walls being weak and the bastions not square on the corners, but the colonel didna want to kill any more Englishmen than necessary since he was commanding French troops.”
Considering that the French and English had been squabbling over claiming colonies in the New World, a situation that could easily escalate into open war at any time, the decision was probably wise. “It sounds to me like Colonel Stapleton was being lenient and Major Wentworth wise enough to see that.”
“Wise?” Simon snorted. “Surrendering is what got him a court-martial.”
“Under the circumstance, ye would have preferred to fight?” Niall asked.
“Aye. I do. Under the circumstances.”
Niall was pretty sure thecircumstanceshis brother was referring to weren’t in regard to an English commander’s decision but rather that their own in-house fighting hadn’t ended with the brawl in the courtyard. He suppressed a sigh.
“Well,” the messenger said, “we willna have to worry about who will be replacing Wentworth.”
“Why is that?”
The man grinned. “As I was leaving, Scots were already setting fire to the place. There won’t be any fort left to command.”
Simon nodded. “Good news, that.”
Niall didn’t respond. So Charlotte had been right again. Fort Augustus was being burnt down. And if she were right about Fort William…
Well. Maybethenhe could be more forthright with his brother about who Charlotte really was.
Chapter Eighteen
When Niall brought her to the Gordon’s office on Monday morning, only Keir was there.
“Is your father ill?” Charlotte asked.
“Nae. He got called to Edinburgh on business over the weekend,” he answered. “I’m just finishing a few things, and then I’ll be closing the office for the week. Ye might as well go back home.”
Charlotte looked at Niall. “Weren’t you needing to go on to Dalcross today? Taking me back to Dounie will put you behind. The road is already muddy from last night’s rain, so I’ll slow you down.”
He shrugged, then grinned. “Ye could come with me.”
The idea of spending the whole day alone with Niall was definitely appealing. More than appealing. She knew in this century it would be totally improper, but then,shewasn’t from this century. Still, she glanced at Keir, but he only shrugged.
“My lips are sealed if ye want to go.” Then he smirked at Niall. “Or, I could take her home after I close up.”
Niall frowned. “Charlotte is coming with me.”
In the twenty-first century, Charlottemighthave taken offense that the decision had been made for her. Vi certainly would. However, she rather liked the idea that Niall took the reins. He wanted her to spend the day with him. Who was she to argue?
