Page 72 of The Highlander’s Unexpected Wife

The distant creak of carriage wheels came from the direction of Napier’s estate.

“Help me get him to the other side of the carriage,” Cameron ordered.

James grabbed Bob’s legs and Cameron his shoulders. They lifted and hurried around the carriage. Once he lay on the ground near Napier, Cameron quickly folded the remaining half of the petticoat, placed it on top of the other half, then buttoned Bob’s coat over the makeshift compresses.

He took two steps to the open carriage door and peered inside. The woman still lay on the floor. “Are you two all right?”

“We are frightened and cold,” Alison replied. “But well, otherwise.”

“Stay down,” he ordered. “There is another carriage approaching.” As he said the words, the vehicle appeared on the rise of the small hill, moving at a good clip. “Alison, give me your pistol.”

“You may have it,” she said, “but you’ll need to reload. I shot Mister Napier.”

“You?” he blurted, then cursed under his breath. “Erin, give me your weapon.”

Erin handed him the pistol.

The carriage drew closer. Cameron watched the driver. The vehicle slowed and the driver called, “My lord, there is a carriage broken down on the road.”

“What?” a familiar voice called.

Lennox.

“Erin,” Cameron called, “it is your father’s coach. Call out to him when the coach draws near.”

As the coach neared, the driver called, “What is the trouble?”

“We were set upon by brigands,” Cameron called. “My driver has been shot. We must get him to a doctor immediately.”

“Who the devil is that?” Lennox leaned his head out the window.

“Lennox, pull your carriage over,” Cameron ordered.

“Hunter?”

“Father,” Erin called out.

“Erin? What the devil is going on here? Pull over, Allan,” he snapped.

The carriage stopped and Cameron strode to the door as Lennox descended.

“My driver was shot and the back wheel is broken,” Cameron said. “We must get Bob to a doctor immediately.”

“What is Erin doing with you?” he demanded.

“We will explain on the way. I have no wish to remain in the open in case the brigand returns.” Without waiting for an answer, Cameron spun.

“I will take Erin and send help,” Lennox said.

“You will take us all, or it will be you who is waiting here,” Cameron snapped.

Ten minutes later, Bob lay on one cushion of Lennox’s carriage and the ladies sat beside Lennox on the other seat.

“Erin, you will explain now,” Lennox demanded.

“Erin, say nothing,” Cameron ordered. “I will speak with your father.

“You have no right to interfere with a father and daughter,” Lennox shot back.