Sarah Gabriel by Keeping Kate Read Free Book Online Page B

the sweet taste of her kisses, her smooth skin beneath his fingertips. Had she been a harlot, or even well experienced, he would have known, but he had felt sure, that night, that an innocent had come into his bed.
    He was definitely sure she was no damned fairy princess.
    None of it made sense, he thought, bewildered. Whoever she was, she had a changeable nature and a host of secrets, and he meant to discover who she was and what she was about, preferably before the English military got the information out of her.
    Seeing her, so tormented, he felt an angry protectiveness toward her, part compassion and part something deeper he could not define.
    The girl was driving him a little mad, and he did not like that. He preferred life to be orderly, even a little predictable. At least, he tried to convince himself that he did. But her unpredictability intrigued and challenged him.
    He turned. The guard sat on a wooden stool, back propped against the wall behind him, one leg extended outward. In the larger cell next to the girl’s, two men reclined in shadows—one man in breeches and shabby coat, the other a large and unkempt Highlander wrapped in a plaid. Both slept.
    “Has she been interrogated?” Alec asked the guard.
    “She refused to reply, so Colonel Grant says she is tostand there until she does.” The sergeant struck a match and lit a pipe. The tobacco glowed, and pungent smoke filled the air.
    Francis Grant. Alec frowned, remembering the man’s written testimony about his meeting with Katie Hell. Alec had met Grant before, here and there, and though the colonel was his superior, Alec had scant respect for him. Grant was tense, critical, and temperamental, and carried a grudge a long way. “Sergeant, surely the girl is permitted to rest, and allowed basic courtesies.”
    “Not until she answers questions, says the colonel. She’s hiding Jacobite secrets, Grant says, and so we’d best use strict measures. Will you be interviewing her, sir?”
    Alec glanced at the girl again. She swayed, jerked upright. Then she turned her head and saw him. Recognition, and keen anger sparked in her eyes before she looked away.
    “Aye, let me speak with her,” Alec said. “Open the door, if you will.” The soldier complied, and as the door grated open, Alec entered the cell and walked quietly toward her.
    She stared at his feet through a skein of tangled hair.
    “Kate,” he murmured. “How are you faring?” When she glanced away and did not answer, Alec leaned close. “You’ll need to talk, lass. Tell me your family name. We’ll start there.” He spoke quietly, watching her.
    She looked away, but let out a soft, disdainful huff.
    “I know you do not want to speak to me after what happened,” Alec said. “But I may be your best ally here.”
    Kate rolled her eyes a little in silent disbelief.
    “Captain,” the sergeant said, “there’s no use talking to her. She’s Highland, and may not know much English.”
    “Or chooses not to speak it,” Alec murmured, watching her.
    “You’re of the Highland Watch, Captain—do ye know the Irish tongue yourself? She might speak to you.”
    “I haven’t used much Gaelic since I was in skirts on my nurse’s knee,” Alec replied. “And I’d wager she’d refuse to speak in any language. Isn’t that so, lass?” he added softly.
    Kate kept silent, but leaned toward him, her exhaustion so apparent that he felt a tug at his heart.
    “We thought she’d break by now,” the sergeant said. “It’s an amazement she’s lasted so long.”
    “Highland stubbornness,” Alec murmured. He felt a strong urge to reach out to her and tear away those chains. But she sent him another bitter, furious glare. He knew that if he tried to help her, she might struggle against him.
    “Ask her why she was spying on Wade’s troops,” the sergeant remarked. “Colonel Grant wants to know. She’s likely working with Jacobites, though some say she’s a harlot plying her trade and got