and would inform the rest of the men of what they’d discussed at the inn.
They’d make certain those who lived near the croft were protected.
Right now, she had to deal with her mother, and it seemed like the scariest thing she’d ever had to do. Would her mother take to her bed again? Would she forbid Jenny from her duties? Worst of all, would she believe that Jenny had joined Hamish in his betrayal?
Her mother’s small, cold hand trembled in hers as they raced up the winding stairs to Lady Mackintosh’s solar.
Behind the safety of the walls, her mother pulled her to the small nook in the window and sat her down on the bench across from her own, their knees brushing, their hands still clasped.
Her mother’s expression was stern. “I am glad ye’ve returned unharmed, but please, my daughter, tell me ye were not doing something for Hamish? Tell me ye’ve no’ switched sides?” Tears sprang to her mother’s eyes.
Jenny’s heart thundered, and she felt sick to think that her mother could believe that.
“Nay, Mama, I have no’. I do Hamish’s bidding only to the brink of which no’ heeding him would bring danger to our clan. But I was no’ missing last night in service to him, Cumberland, or any other of King George’s men.”
“Then who? Have ye been…compromised?” She scanned Jenny’s body as though there would be clues.
Jenny thought of the kiss she’d shared with Toran, how she’d wished it had kept going, at which point she would be very much compromised.
“I am not compromised, Mama, I promise. I was doing my duty for Prince Charles. I am sorry I didna tell ye sooner, but I didna want ye to worry.”
Lady Mackintosh’s brow wrinkled. “Your duty?”
“Aye.” Jenny bit her lip, chewing on it nervously. How much should she tell her mother, and how much should she keep to herself? At this point, it seemed best to tell her mother all. “I have been gathering men, weapons, coin, supplies, anything that might aid the prince in the rebellion. He is coming soon, Mama. Hopefully all that I am doing will help him regain his throne. I—” She swallowed hard. “I know Da would have wanted this, and I have been aiming to carry on his legacy.”
Her mother sat back, letting go of Jenny’s hand to swipe at her tears, and then placed her hands over her heart. “Ye always were your father’s daughter. But I’d be lying if I said it didna terrify me. I dinna like it.”
Jenny smiled sadly. “He made a rebel out of me, Mama.”
“He did. He’d be so proud of ye.” Her mother leaned forward and gathered Jenny in her arms, holding her tight. “I’m proud of ye. And terrified too.”
“I’ll be safe, I promise.” Emotion whirled inside Jenny, along with relief that her mother accepted her, supported her. She’d feared so much that her mother would reject her way of life, would demand Jenny cease her efforts or, worse, put a stop to them herself.
“But what of Hamish?” Lady Mackintosh held her daughter at arm’s length, watching Jenny with fearful eyes.
“He knows nothing, and I think ’tis best we keep it that way.”
“Oh, aye. Who else knows besides Dirk, Toran, and his cousin?”
This was going to be the hard part. “Most of the clan, Mama. They have been helping me. And until now we had safe quarters some distance from here, but we were compromised by dragoons and forced to flee.” She paused to collect herself. “About a sennight ago, I moved everything here to Cnàmhan Broch.”
“Oh.” Her mother said the word as an exhale, her eyes darting toward the window and a flicker of fear crossing her features.
“I know it is not ideal, Mama, and I’m sorry for no’ telling ye of the danger sooner. I will find another place if ye wish it, but I thought it best if the men and arms were hidden behind walls where they could be defended. That we would be safer hiding in plain sight rather than traipsing through the forest.” She squeezed her mother’s hand. “When I sent Hamish the latest shipment, I sent with it the last three men left of his that I knew we couldna trust.”
“Ye were right to do it. All of it. I used to help your da, did ye know? Everyone, and everything, is safer behind the walls. I am concerned over Hamish though. He’s bound to come home one of these days. What if he should find