The Wild Rose of Kilgannon (35 page)

"They're looking for all of you, Angus," I said, shifting the baby. I explained why we'd been delayed in leaving, and Angus shook his head unhappily and sighed.

"We have to get ye somewhere safe, lass, as soon as we can leave," he said and gestured to Thomas, still poulticing Dougall's shoulder. Thomas gave me a smile. When I offered assistance the men all looked askance and Dougall said he was fine, though I saw him favoring the arm. He said he wanted to see the baby, and I showed him Alex's son while the other men gathered around the child. Thomas pulled Dougall's shirt back over the shoulder and gave Dougall a pat.

"Ye'll do, laddie," he said and Dougall rose.

"Let's go, lads," Angus said. "The English will be here before long. We're off to the Mary Rose, lass, and we're staying close to London. I sent
Gannon's
Lady to Bristol in case we needed her to escape, and
I've
sent men to Grafton and Mountgarden to warn ye there of the situation. I expected ye to be there by now."

I nodded unhappily. I had imagined the boys safe with Will and Betty, but now was struck with fear for them, picturing soldiers riding to the door. I should never have let them leave without me, I thought. Dear God, I prayed, keep my boys safe.

"Matthew," Angus said, "ye'll have to get Mary to Mountgarden and then find us. Go get the men moving and send the coach."

Matthew nodded and left us, Dougall following him. Thomas packed up the last of his doctoring tools as I turned to Angus.

"All of London now knows whose ship the Mary Rose is," I said. "Why not use the Margaren No one will recognize her."

"I've sent the Margaret to Edinburgh with Kenneth Ogilvie and Gilbey. There's news there. Or there might be." I asked what he meant, but he never got to tell me, for Thomas's son Liam ran into the room.

"English soldiers, Angus! They've left Randolph's and they're coming this way. And Captain Calum just sent a man to say they're being too closely watched and ye canna get DeBroun to the Mary Rose. "

Angus nodded and barked orders, and men scrambled to obey. Angus took the pistol that Thomas handed him. "Gather the men," he said. "Send word to Calum to stay put. Meet me at Harry's cottage. If I'm not there in four hours, go to Bristol. Tell the others. Thomas, make sure Duncan has DeBroun on his way. Liam, put out all the candles in the front of the house and then get ye gone." The room cleared and Angus turned to me. "Stay here, Mary. I've got to see to our guest."

The house was rapidly emptying and within moments I stood alone in the dim kitchen with my baby, listening to the sudden quiet. And then Thomas and Duncan burst into the kitchen, holding Edgar DeBroun between them. He looked none the worse for his adventures, even if his shirt needed changing and his beard a trim.

"Mary," Duncan said gaily, as though we'd met at a party. "Watch! This is for Murdoch." I gasped as he punched DeBroun in the stomach. DeBroun grunted and doubled over. Duncan laughed and Thomas frowned. And Angus came into the room behind them.

"That's enough, Duncan," said Angus angrily. "We havena time for yer games. Thomas, go and see what's keeping the coach. Mary's coming with us. Make sure there's room for her. And no' next to this vermin." He gave DeBroun a push into one of the chairs. The baby fussed then and the three men looked at me.

"Alex's wee bairn, aye, Mary?" Duncan asked.

"Yes," I said, pulling back the blanket to let him see.

Duncan smiled at my child and at me, then looked at DeBroun. "Yer no' fit to be in this bairn's presence, ye filth," he sneered.

Angus frowned, pulling his pistol from his belt. He trained it on DeBroun. "Go, Duncan," he said with a nod at the door. "Yer in the devil's own mood tonight."

Duncan grinned and stepped in front of DeBroun for a moment. That was all DeBroun needed. He leapt at Duncan, pulling the pistol from Duncan's

waistband. Before Angus could move, DeBroun held the pistol to Duncan's head.

DeBroun retreated with one arm around Duncan's neck, his other hand holding the pistol, backing me against the wall behind them. I could see nothing but DeBroun's coat as he pressed against me, but I heard his ragged breathing and the scuffle of their feet as Duncan struggled against him. DeBroun
smiled
of fear and sweat.

Angus's voice was very calm. "Drop it, DeBroun. Let him go."

"Or? I am the one with the upper hand here, Mac-Gannon."

"Let him go."

"Show him mercy?" DeBroun scoffed. "The same mercy he would have shown me? I think not. I'll not go willingly to my death."

"Let him go," Angus said. His voice sounded closer.

I pushed DeBroun as hard as I could and he fell hard against Duncan. I toppled myself as well and fell on top of them, clasping my wailing baby to my breast. We went down in a tangle of legs and arms and my skirts. DeBroun was the first to his feet and stood over us, waving Duncan's pistol wildly. I scrambled to my feet, my arms cradling my
crying
child. Angus pointed his pistol at DeBroun but I was between them and he hesitated. Duncan was
still
on the floor. On the other side of DeBroun, Duncan grabbed for DeBroun's leg and DeBroun sidestepped, grabbing me around the waist with his left hand while he pointed the gun at Duncan with his right. Duncan and DeBroun stared at each other and then, with deliberation, DeBroun smashed the gun across Duncan's head. Duncan fell on his back, unconscious, blood streaming from the gash at his temple. Angus dove for DeBroun, but DeBroun pulled me back with him and Angus stopped abruptly. I looked from Angus's face up into DeBroun's and then down at the pistol DeBroun pointed at my baby. I stared into Angus's eyes, then took a deep breath and forced myself to look at DeBroun again.

"What is this, Edgar?" I asked, my voice remarkably calm. I drew strength from that, but I was trembling and I knew my bravado would not last long. Nor would his. The hand holding the pistol was shaking. I pulled myself back against him as far as I could, but the gun could still reach the baby.

"Your damned Scotsmen have held me long enough, madam," he said. "Call them off."

"I have nothing to do with it," I said and brought a hand up,
gently
pushing the pistol away from my child. DeBroun let me move his hand, but then brought the barrel to my neck.

"Of course not," he snarled. "And I had nothing to do with Maclean." He looked at Angus. "Back away," he said and Angus took two steps backward. "The soldiers will be here soon.
You'd better go now, MacGannon."
Angus watched as DeBroun shifted position, pointing the gun at my head.

"Let Mary and the bairn go and we can discuss this," Angus said calmly. The two men stared at each other with guns ready, and me in the middle with my baby, my skirts floating over Duncan's motionless body and dipping in his blood.

DeBroun shook his head. "What is there to discuss? Leave."

"Not without Mary," Angus said. The baby let out a wail as DeBroun tightened his arm around both of us and Angus's eyes narrowed. "Are ye aright, lass?" he asked, keeping his eyes on DeBroun.

"Yes," I gasped.

Angus nodded. "Good. Then let's have a talk about Alex."

"What about him?" DeBroun demanded.

"The same thing we've been discussing for a while, DeBroun. I want whatever ye can do for Alex in exchange for yer life."

DeBroun snorted. "I have Mary now. I'm not in jeopardy."

Angus's voice was very calm. "Ye canna shoot the both of us. Ye'll have to choose."

"I choose you, then," DeBroun said, pointing the gun at Angus.

Angus did not blink. "Fine. Let's talk about what ye can do for my cousin."

"I can do nothing," DeBroun said.

"Do what ye can to free Alex by writing to the other judges, and when he's free I will let ye go."

"How do I know I can trust you?"

"I've been fair to ye while ye've been here, DeBroun."

DeBroun nodded. "All right. Put your gun down and then we can talk," said DeBroun. Slowly, watching DeBroun all the while, Angus leaned down and placed his pistol on the floor.

"Now, let's talk like
gentlemen
," Angus said.

"You are no
gentleman
," sneered DeBroun and raised the pistol to the level of Angus's heart. Angus watched him impassively.

"I have put my gun down, DeBroun. Do the same and I willna have my men kill ye. They are just outside this door."

"But not in this room, MacGannon, you damn fool." DeBroun raised an eyebrow and sighted down the pistol's barrel. Without a pause, he shot Angus in the stomach. Then, calmly, he stooped and retrieved Angus's pistol and gave me a glance. He paused beside Duncan, looked at me, and shot Duncan in the head. Then he ran out the door.

T
HE KITCHEN WAS SUDDENLY FILED WITH MEN. TOO many men and too late. Matthew stepped over Duncan and huddled with me over Angus, trying to stop the bleeding, while around us the men milled without direction. Thomas took the baby from me, cradling Alex's son in his practiced arms while he and Dougall gave orders. I paid no attention as the men hurried to follow their commands, focusing only on Angus, who was conscious and in great pain. I pulled his shirts and jacket from his chest and wound a makeshift bandage around him, wishing we had a doctor. Dr. Sutter would come if we asked, I thought and said so, but Angus shook his head.

"No," he'd said, his voice tight with pain. We havena time for it. Duncan?"

Thomas shook his head. "He's gone, Angus," he said and Angus nodded.

"Get the men gone, Thomas, and get Mary to safety."

Dougall knelt over Angus, his face twisted with anguish. "Let us get the doctor," he said hoarsely. "We'll make time."

"No," Angus said roughly. "It willna matter, lad," he added in a kinder tone. "Take my place, Dougall. Lead the men. And leave no trail to involve
Mary
's family."

The whole world seemed to slow and shrink to Matthew's hands on his father's bandages, the blood soaking through the cloth and welling around his fingers. Behind me I heard the door open and a sharp cry, but turned only when a hand was placed on my shoulder. I looked up into Randolph's and Louisa's shocked faces.

"Get yer niece to safety," Angus said. "Someone will have heard the shots." Randolph nodded and then bowed his head as Angus coughed blood.
I wiped Angus's mouth with a gentle hand.
"Will ye promise to care for my son,
Mary
?" he whispered.

"Angus ..." I could not continue.

"Promise ..." Angus coughed again.

"I promise," I said and he gave me a weak smile.

"Dinna give up hope, lass. Our Alex is not gone yet."

"No," I whispered. "No. Angus, oh, Angus ..."

"Aye," he said. "Aye, Mary, I ken." He turned to his son. "Yer a good son, Matthew," Angus said. "Ye've done me proud. I wish yer mother could have seen ye grown. Pipe me home, will ye? And tell Alex I'll see him soon enough and no' to hurry." He closed his eyes and opened them again with visible effort. "And Dougall." He looked from Dougall to his son. "Matthew. Get DeBroun for me. Kill the bastard." Matthew and Dougall exchanged a look, then nodded.

Next to us Louisa took the baby from Thomas and crooned to him. Maclean clansmen wrapped Duncan in a plaid and lifted him gently to their shoulders as though he could still be injured. I stared at the pools of blood left by each man and turned back to Angus, meeting his eyes above his son's bent head. He tried to smile, but as I brushed the bloodied hair back from his cheek he closed his eyes again.

Angus opened his eyes only once more, to ask Matthew to bury him next to Mairi, and then he closed his eyes and left us. I listened to Matthew sob, my heart too full for my own tears. I heard the echoes in my dreams.

It was a wild ride to Mountgarden that night. We arrived without incident, although exhausted and distraught, to be welcomed by Will and Betty. They were alarmed at our appearance and our
story
, having heard nothing of what had happened. I was relieved that they knew none of it, for it meant that no soldiers had come looking for me or the MacGannon men. Or the boys. The fear that been my companion began to ease and I went to find them. I held Alex's sons to me and told them the bare facts of what had happened, my tears mingling with theirs as they sobbed in my arms.

The next day we tensed at each noise outside, but we were unmolested by visitors. Or soldiers, though we expected DeBroun to have raised them. As the hours went on, though, we talked less of Edgar DeBroun and more of Angus and Duncan. At first Matthew stared
silently
into the distance, but as we sat with whisky and wine the talk grew easier and he joined in. I sat next to Louisa, her hand in mine, the baby between us, as Thomas told stories of growing up with Angus, and Dougall made us smile with his memories of Angus training him in the arts of war. We cried and laughed and when the sun rose Matthew said he would meet
Gannon’s
Lady in Bristol and take his father home. Despite pleas from my brother and aunt and uncle, I had refused to go with them. I would not leave England until we knew what would happen to Alex.