Page 16 of Highlander's Sinless Nymph
It was a fairly inhospitable spot, but it afforded excellent views of the moors in all directions. Not a spot that was likely to ingratiate a man with his men, not when the wind and rain howled through.
This told Edward that Captain Bolton was a man who valued security over comfort. A cautious man. A clever man. A man to be watched closely.
It was the camp that he had been spying on for almost a week; the English camp, which almost fifty of the English army’s men currently called home.
“Is that it?” he asked Charlotte, feigning ignorance.
“Yes. You see the little moving lights? Those are the torches of the sentries.”
It was one of the things that Edward had never been able to understand about the English patrols up here. Yes, a torch provided light for a sentry to see by, but it also ruined their night vision and let any would-be marauders know their exact location.
“There’s a few of the buggers,” Edward muttered.
“Do not worry,” Charlotte said, “I found a way. A way that I think is known only to me––though I cannot be sure, of course. It is choked with old gorse and brambles and looks impenetrable from the top, but underneath it is practically hollow. Knowing my father, and how anxious he is about enemies, he may be aware of it.”
Edward’s heart picked up its pace at this news. A potentially secret way that penetrated to the heart of his enemy’s camp.
That is somethin’ worth reportin’ back to me faither and the clan, if I can learn of its location.
“How far is it?” he asked.
“Not far. Just down here,” Charlotte said, enigmatically, and led on.
After they had crept on a little further, giving the closest camp guard a wide berth, Charlotte whispered, “We could, um, we could part ways here, if you like? I know my way, even in this gloom, and every step further you take risks your own capture. My father is not over-fond of Scots.”
Edward ground his teeth.
Aye. Of that I am well aware.
“I will come with ye to the mouth of the ravine,” he said. “Fer me peace of mind, ye understand.”
To his surprise, Charlotte halted in her walk and turned to face him.
“I am sorry, Edward,” she said. “You seem like a decent man, and there is something about you that I feel a kinship with, but I can’t show you where the entrance is. But you may walk with me a little further.”
Edward half considered trying to convince her to let him accompany her all the way, but something in the way she had set her face made him decide that it would do more harm than good.
A couple of plans had started to kindle and flicker into life inside his head. They were not just based on this revelation of the hidden tunnel into the English encampment, but also on the fortuitous meeting of Charlotte herself.
I could sneak in and gut the bastard as he lay abed…
He knew though, deep down, that he was incapable of killing even this mongrel cur in such an underhanded manner––even if he did find out where this secret route lay. Despite what the ravages or grief and a time spent in the wilderness had wrought on his appearance, this sort of skullduggery was not in him.
Edward bowed his head in acceptance of her decision.
“Very good, Miss Bolton. It’s clear that ye are an apple that has nae fallen far from yer father’s tree. Better to be safe than sorry. I shall take me leave of ye when you say.”
“Thank you, Edward,” Charlotte said.
Edward smiled and signaled for her to continue.
So, the second option is the one that may bear the fruit. Kidnap Bolton’s daughter to draw the man himself out.
* * *
Charlotte walked on. In truth, she had been surprised that the taciturn but striking Highlander had offered to go with her to the mouth of the hidden ravine that she had used to come to and from the camp recently. Surprised and, she realized, a little suspicious. Being raised by a man as mistrustful and overly-suspicious as her father had not been without its knock-on effects.
He strikes me as a good man, but even the sweetest-looking fruit can turn out to hide poison inside.
