He smiled again, although this time it was calculating. "Of course."
Heaven help her. He was the devil incarnate.
"You'll have this contract to prove I shall keep my end of the bargain," he said.
Feeling truly sick now, she knew she should not be here. But what choice did she have?
The scratching sounds of his writing filled the silence and with each moment, dread closed around her throat, near suffocating her. This was what she had withered to, a whore for a wealthy merchant?
Chapter Twenty
At midday, still riding south, Rebbie slowed when he noticed a garrison in the distance, headed in his direction. After halting and watching them for a moment, he realized 'twas Lachlan, Alasdair and at least two dozen of their men, all wearing metal studded leather armor. Even his father was with them. What had happened? He tapped his heels, urging Devil forward into a gallop.
Moments later he drew up in front of them, a sense of dread haunting him.
"Thank the saints!" Lachlan said. "I thought we might find you riding here."
"What's happened?"
"Lady Stanbury left this morn."
Rebbie shouldn't be surprised, given how they'd parted. "Where did she go?"
"She told us she was going toGlenhavenand then to Angus, for a new position. But we believe she went to Claybourne instead."
Rebbie felt as if he'd been kicked in the gut. "Why the hell would she do that? And how could you let her leave?"
Lifting a brow, Lachlan dismounted, then Rebbie did the same. Drawing him off to the side, Lachlan said, "I tried to stop her, but save carrying her up the stairs and locking her in a room, there was naught I could do. She was bound and determined to go."
Fear for her safety rampaged through Rebbie. "Why?"
"Angelique said a missive arrived for Calla a couple of days ago. I kenned naught of it. Angelique gave it to her yesterday evening. This morn, Calla was raring to take the lad and leave with the Barclays, saying the missive was about a new governess position in Angus. Later, Angelique found a piece of the missive in the fireplace. Calla had tried to burn it, but a small piece was left. It hadClaybourne'ssignature on it." Lachlan dug into his sporran and pulled out the scrap of paper, the edge burned. Sure enough, 'twasClaybourne'sname.
"That bastard," Rebbie seethed. "What did the missive say?"
"No one knows. She didn't tell Angelique. I was tempted to go toBonnyridgeand get her myself, but I thought you'd want to know first. I don't know what the devil would make Calla go to him willingly."
The answer flashed inRebbie'smind like a bolt of lightning. "He knows."
"What?"
"About Jamie. He knows Jamie isn'tStanbury'sson and he's threatening to reveal all. That's the only reason she would go to him."
"That has to be it."
"Let's go." Rebbie ran back to his horse and leapt into the saddle.
Like mad, they raced south.
ImaginingClaybourne'sskinny fingers touching Calla, Rebbie grew angry enough to strangle someone. God help him, if Claybourne raped Calla, Rebbie would kill him.
A short time later, Lachlan drew up.
Rebbie circled back. "What are you doing?"
"The horses need to be watered and rested."
Damnation, Rebbie knew that, but Calla was far more important at the moment. He slid off Devil and led him to the small burn to drink.
