Beloved Imposter by PATRICIA POTTER Read Free Book Online Page A

abduction. Had anyone been wounded? Killed?
    He would like to wound Archibald at this very moment.
    Moira appeared, her size testament to her love of sweets.
    “Moira, this is Lady Janet Cameron. She will be a guest this eve. See her to my mother’s chamber and fetch her anything she might need.” He looked back at the captive. “Do you have any dry clothes?”
    She shook her head.
    “She is to have whatever she needs from my mother’s wardrobe.”
    “Aye,” Moira said, her lips pursed with disapproval. “Puir child,” she said, clucking like a mother hen. “Ye come wi’ me.”
    Rory suddenly realized that Moira knew exactly what had happened. Bloody hell, had everyone known about Archibald’s plan but him?
    He watched as they mounted the steps together. Midway, Moira looked back to order hot water for a bath. He noted at the same time that the Cameron woman moved with uncommon grace despite the bulk of her clothes.
    Rory strode back outside to where Archibald, his bearded face apprehensive, remained standing.
    Rory glared at him. “I would have a word with you.” He turned and strode into the great hall where a log blazed. He whirled around to confront Archibald. “Who is lord here?”
    Archibald’s pale blue gaze met his. “Ye are.”
    “I had no wish to return,” Rory said. “Now that I have, I am laird. I will no’ have anyone doubting that.”
    “We need an heir,” Archibald insisted stubbornly.
    “You will not be getting one from me. If that was all you wanted, you should have looked elsewhere. I have made my wishes clear. They will be respected. Dammit, man, Lady Janet is betrothed to a Campbell.”
    “All the better,” Archibald muttered.
    “I will not continue warring with the Campbells. It may please you, but it does nothing to help our clan. ‘Twas not your crofts burned out, but theirs.”
    “Ye canna’ make bargains with the devil.”
    “My ancestor was at fault. I will not have it said that the Macleans continue to mistreats ladies.”
    “Ye would be a fine husband. Far better than a Campbell. She was not mistreated. She dinna say she was.”
    “Of course not. She was probably frightened half to death.”
    “No’ that one,” Archibald said in a barely audible voice.
    Rory narrowed his eyes. “I do not ken your meaning.”
    “Not a cry. Not a protest. ‘Twas almost as if she were … relieved.”
    Rory thought that only an excuse, though he also thought the woman far too calm under the circumstances. “How many men were killed?”
    “No’ even one.”
    Rory stared at his captain of the guards with disbelief. “Are you saying her escort did nothing to protect her?”
    “She was no’ with them. We were following. We heard noise. Curses. Little Willie snuck up and said some had lost their saddles, then he saw the lady turning away. Confused or frightened in the mist, mayhap. Ye could say we found her.”
    “Then no one knows she is here?”
    “Nay. She disappeared in the mist.”
    “She did not scream?”
    “Well…”
    “Well what?”
    “I might have had my hand over her mouth.”
    Rory sighed. “I will talk to her. If she will say we rescued her, then no harm done. If she does not…”
    “A Cameron alliance would help us against the Campbells,” Archibald said hopefully. “She would not say nay to you. Any lady—”
    Rory’s temper was near explosion. “I will hear no more about marriage. She returns tomorrow. Let us hope that she is agreeable. King James has made it clear he does not want the clans feuding. It is my neck you are risking, Archibald. And those of the crofters. If you had not helped raise me, I would see you gone this day.”
    He strode off before he said more. Archibald and Douglas had been a part of his life since he had been a wee lad. Archibald had instructed him in warrior arts, and Douglas had taught him to read and write. Both had been more father to him than his own sire.
    Mayhap that was the problem. They both saw him as a lad, not