The Highland Laird (Lords of the Highlands #8) - Amy Jarecki Page 0,27
to try it alone, thank you.”
Emma’s stomach squeezed when she stepped outside. For a moment her palms perspired, making the lead slip. Stopping, she took in a deep breath and tilted her nose to the sky. The warmth of the sun caressed her face while a slight breeze whirred through her hair. She shifted the cane into the same hand as the lead, holding it horizontally to ensure it didn’t smack Albert. Finding the rail, she gulped. “Here we go, laddie.”
The dog remained at her side, his coat lightly brushing her skirts as they descended the six steps without faltering.
Just yesterday she had needed Betty to help her, but Emma felt inordinately secure with Albert. She took another breath, almost laughing, but with her inhalation came a myriad of scents. Straight ahead was grass and the freshness of the river. To her left she identified the sweet scent of hay and horses.
Returning her cane to the other hand, she started toward the stables. As they neared, the dog pulled, gagging on his collar. Emma tugged him to heel. “No.”
Albert yowled.
“Come behind,” she said in a stern voice. “We shall walk to find Sam, not run.”
At the mention of the lad’s name, the dog snorted and yipped, though he did come to heel.
“You know Sam’s name, do you not?”
“Yawol,” Albert agreed.
“Well then, we shall find him together.”
“Good afternoon, Miss Emma.”
“Sam?” she asked.
“Aye.”
“Thank heavens. You are just the person I’ve been looking for.”
“Is Albert causing trouble?”
“No, on the contrary, he’s marvelous. I can tell you’ve done some training with him.”
“A bit. Taught him to walk at heel and fetch. That sort of thing.”
“Have you had much experience training dogs?”
“I suppose. I trained his mother to sit and fish. Fetch birds as well.”
“Wonderful. Do you think you would be able to help me train Albert to be my eyes?”
“Your eyes?” the lad asked incredulously. “I’m not certain he can do that.”
“I think he can. Or at least he can help me. Today I was working with him in the library, and he stopped before my cane hit each obstacle. If he can do that every time, I think it would help immensely.”
“I suppose it’s worth a go.”
“And he also needs to learn to stay when he’s told. Would you like to help?”
“Aye. As long as it doesn’t interfere with my chores, I can.”
“Excellent. When can we start?”
“I wake with the crow of the first cock and climb down from the loft and—”
“The loft?”
“Aye, miss. I sleep in the hayloft. Da says it is the most comfortable place in the world.”
“Truly?” Emma slid Albert’s lead through her palm. “Do you not have a bed of your own?”
“Nay. Besides, I reckon me father’s right. I sleep sound near every night except in the dead of winter.”
“And when do you finish with your morning chores?”
“I usually have time to meself after the midday meal.”
“Very well, let’s start on the morrow after our nooning.”
* * *
“Thank you, my friend,” said Ciar, shaking MacLean’s hand outside the Inverlochy tavern. “Keep your men on alert. You shall be hearing from us in due course.”
“The sooner the better.”
“Agreed,” said Ciar, mounting his horse and tipping his cap. “At long last ’tis time to take matters into our own hands.”
Staying the night in Inverlochy had been a boon. He’d found and recruited the leaders of two staunch Jacobite clans, men who would bring substantial armies to the table.
But Ciar’s work had only begun. He cued his mount for a trot and headed northeast. The road to Spean Bridge was boggy and rutted even on the best of days. The foliage of massive sycamores blocked the view while twists and turns up and down craggy hills made the going arduous.
Not many traveled this route. Nonetheless, it was the only road to Clan MacDonnell’s lands. And Coll of Keppoch was one of James’s staunchest supporters.
Ciar had been riding for about an hour when the birds stopped chirping. He chuckled to himself. Emma would have noticed the change sooner for certain. But Ciar was no stranger to the wilds of the Highlands. He pulled his horse to a stop and listened.
Aye, there was no mistaking voices ahead, though he couldn’t make out what was being said. Dismounting, he led his horse off the path and secured the reins around a branch, then crept up the side of a hill.
At the crest, a flash of movement caught his eye.
Redcoats.
He crept a bit closer, careful not to make a sound.