The Marriage Contract (Marriage #3) - Cathy Maxwell Page 0,69

join forces with the Gunn brothers, the highlands will go up in flames. Everyone is waiting for what you decide, you know.”

“I know of no such thing.”

“Turn over Deacon Gunn and I’ll believe you.”

“I haven’t a clue to Deacon’s whereabouts. You searched my estate. You saw for yourself.”

Major Lambert walked around them. The sound of his crop hitting his boots went right through Anne—and yet almost defiantly she stared him down.

“It is only a matter of hours before I get what I want from Gunn,” the Major said slowly. “I can wait. You’ll wait with me.” He nodded to a soldier to open the door. As he proceeded them outside, he said, “Colonel Witherspoon will be joining me this evening. He is very interested in what Gunn will have to say.”

“Then you’d best keep him alive,” Aidan responded. “Because right now, if he dies from your beatings, Scotland will go up in flames, and you will be known in London not as the man who ended a rebellion, but the man who started one.”

Major Lambert had not considered that twist. He hesitated, uncertain. “I know my responsibilities,” he chided, but some of the bluster had left him.

“Very well,” Aidan said, his voice cool. “In the meantime, my wife and I would like to be shown to our rooms. Hopefully, they will be better than the ones you’ve given Gunn. And I meant what I said, Lambert. If you hurt my wife, I will use every means at my disposal to ruin you.”

“You’ll find your wings clipped if you are in Newgate,” Major Lambert said stiffly. He led them into the house.

Inside, soldiers’ boots clumped on the fine wood floors. The furniture had been moved and pushed at angles for the men to talk or laze about. As the major walked through, they came to attention. He ignored them. Instead, he charged up the stairs and stopped at the room at the top. He opened the door.

“This is where you will be staying.” The room was comfortably modest. The walls were a green wash, the curtains heavy white damask. A four-poster double bed with a peach cotton spread took up the majority of the floor space.

Anne entered, pretending all was normal. “Is there water?”

“It will be sent up,” Major Lambert answered tightly.

“Then this will do very well,” she said.

“A guard will be outside the door.” He crossed to the single window and looked out. “Sound carries. We can hear everything you say.” He smiled, the expression chilling. “You will dine with me?”

Aidan said coolly, “I’d sup with the devil before I’d sit at a table with you.”

“You may receive your wish,” Major Lambert countered and laughed at his own small joke. He left the room and Anne collapsed on the bed.

“I’ve never seen anyone hurt the way Robbie Gunn was,” she whispered. “How can he still be alive?”

“He has a strong spirit.”

“Like his brother?”

Aidan smiled. “Aye. They are equally obstinate. Lambert doesn’t know who he is threatening. Robbie will die rather than give him names.”

A knock sounded on the door. At Aidan’s call, a soldier entered with warm water and linen towels. Another soldier set to guard them peered in with curiosity.

Aidan stood and said a few words to both men. He sounded perfectly at ease. Once they were alone again, he walked to the window alcove. He stood for such a long time, she asked what he was watching.

“I can see the cellar from here,” he said, his voice low. “Lambert has sent some men with food and water,” he observed. “He’s taking my advice to keep Gunn alive to heart.”

“Or is he planning to prolong the man’s agony?”

“Perhaps a bit of both.” Aidan turned from the window and there was a wicked gleam in his eye.

She stood. “You have a plan,” she said, with a conspirator’s eagerness.

“Yes.”

“What is it? What are we going to do?”

He took another look out the window a moment before saying, “We’re going to make love.”

“You’re joking.” She couldn’t have heard him correctly.

He smiled. “Anne, I’ve never been more serious in my life.” He began to untie his neck cloth.

Chapter 14

“We are surrounded by British soldiers,” Anne reminded Aidan as he hung his neck cloth over a chair in the corner of the room.

“Yes, I know.” He sat down in the chair and pulled on the heel of his boot.

He couldn’t seriously be going through with this! “You’re mad.”

“It’s been rumored,” he agreed. He tugged again at the heel and then looked to her in