Page 10 of Almost a Countess

Chapter 5

“Ye may no’ be quite asfamiliar with the law o’ the land as I am, Miss Harper.” A young,sheltered woman such as herself likely had no knowledge of thehateful law he had broken. “But it’s true.”

“That’s as may be. I don’tpretend to know the law.” No, she might not know much about thelaw, but she did know he was a wanted man. He’d admitted ithimself. But she could let her questioning go for now and hope he’dtell her the truth in the end. A glance at him showed hiscomplexion had paled and his eyes were tired. That wouldn’t do atall. She picked up the tray. “I’ll take these down and let you restuntil dinner.”

“Thank ye, lass.” Hetracked her as she nodded briefly and sped out the room.

Something told him Miss Harper wasn’tgoing down to the kitchen simply for tea. The next person to openthat door was as likely to be Lieutenant Scarlet as his hostess.Perhaps more likely. Finn doubted she’d believed him to be an earl.Certainly, he didn’t look like one in his current state. He reallydidn’t know what he could do to convince her, save tell her therest of his story. Better to have her think him a fool than amurderer—or worse. He’d been incredibly stupid. Now he could onlyhope to live through this ordeal, with Miss Harper’s reluctanthelp, it seemed. There was nothing for it but to wait until shereturned and try to explain the troubles that had befallen him inthe past weeks. And hope she would believe him.

Finn worried himself into a restlesssleep where dreams of Miss Harper’s charmingly crooked smilealternated with nightmarish scenes where red-coated soldiersclapped him in irons in a dark dungeon and threw the key into thesea. He awoke from that one in a cold sweat, gazing franticallyaround the room at the plush furnishing to reassure himself it hadindeed been a dream.

The chamber remained quiet, only thesounds of birds twittering outside the window breaking thesolitude. The sole way he could tell the afternoon was passing wasthe lengthening shadows as the sun crawled across the window thatoverlooked a rear garden. He could see only a tiny bit of greeneryfrom the bed, but the light had unmistakably softened. Perhaps hewas safe for one more day.

The door swung open, and Miss Harperentered with a large tray filled with dishes. “I looked in with thetea tray some time ago, but you were fast asleep, and I didn’t wishto disturb you. Did you rest well, my lord?”

“No’ particularly, despitethis comfortable bed.” Sleeping in barns or under hedgerows for thepast several nights had given him a healthy respect for creaturecomforts. “But after my recent adventures, I willna rest easy untilI get tae London.”

Her eyes met his. “So you are nowtraveling to London, even though you informed me earlier that youhad no business there.”

“No’ previously, MissHarper, but circumstances change. I’m certain ye’re aware o’ thatgeneral truth.” Devil it, he hadn’t meant to speak so sharply toher, but the suspicion in her eyes irked himimmeasurably.

“I suppose I am, my lord.”She set the tray on the table then handed him silverware andnapkins. “I convinced Cook you needed fattening.” She removed thecovers from the plates, and the heavenly smells that wafted overhim brought tears to his eyes and made his mouth water.

“Will ye dine with me,Miss Harper?” He hoped she’d say yes, despite her misgivings. “I’vehad my fill o’ solitude this past week. I’d relish a bit o’company, especially yers.”

“I thought you might wishfor a companion, so I had Cook fix my dinner on the tray as well.”She smiled and handed him a plate.

His stomach growled. “My pardon, MissHarper.” His own body conspired against him. What must she think ofhis manners?

“Think nothing of it, mylord.” She smiled and took up her own plate. “You’ve a bit ofcatching up to do, unless I miss my guess.” She nodded to him.“Please, begin.”

Finn needed no further invitation. Thefood was hot, plentiful, and delicious. He commenced with thejuicy, rare roast beef, and silence held sway in the room for someminutes. Finally, when his first pangs of hunger were assuaged, hecame up for air to find Miss Harper watching him as she drank herwine. He took up his glass also and drank deeply before rememberinghis manners just in time to keep from draining theglass.

“You look as though you’venot eaten in a very long time, my lord.” Miss Harper held herwineglass in both hands, assessing him. “Would you care to tell mewhat actually happened to you?”

To give himself time, Finn dredged apiece of potato through the thick sauce and popped it into hismouth. What would be the best way to tell her about his wretchedadventure? “Would ye like the long version or thebrief?”

That seemed to take her aback. Herbrows rose, and she cut her eyes toward him. She set her glass onthe table and picked up the bottle of Bordeaux. “I am a greatbeliever in brevity, my lord. More wine?”

He nodded, glad for the relaxingproperties a good bottle of wine would afford him.

She filled his glass and hers, carefulto keep her gaze on the wine.

Taking a sip to brace him, Finn began.“The crux o’ the matter is that I was stupid.”

“Indeed.” Her browsswooped up alarmingly, eyes wide, giving her the look of a startleddeer.

“I suppose ’tis difficulttae believe, but ’tis nothing but the truth.” Finn settled back onthe pillows, sated and more comfortable than he’d been in whatseemed like forever. “My sister was tae be married in the kirk atAberfoyle just about a week ago, I believe. Time has been muddied abit in my mind. What day is it?”

“Tuesday, the tenth ofAugust,” she said, her gaze following him keenly.

“Then exactly a week ago,on August third. My sister Mary had met a good man early in the newyear and they’d asked my permission tae marry.” Finn shook hishead. “I was all for having a small ceremony at home, but Maryinsisted on marrying in the kirk. Sae the family was invited, andlast week I took great pride and satisfaction in giving my sisteraway.”

Miss Harper’s keen gaze held himenthralled. “I doubt seriously you’d be accosted by the BritishArmy for attending your sister’s wedding.”

“Aye, likely no’ if all Iwas doing was attending the wedding. But as head o’ the household,I was giving my sister away, in front o’ God, the priest, all ourfamily.” He paused and grinned at her. “For such a ceremoniousoccasion, I wanted my father represented as well. So, I wore hiskilt, made up in the tartan plaid o’ the Macdonalds o’Sleat.”

Miss Harper stared at him thenshrugged. “I’m certain you cut quite the dashingfigure.”