Part 25 (2/2)
Helen surveyed the five bodies around the table with trepidation, but Dougal and his company were sound asleep. He and the innkeeper snored intermittently. It was rather disconcerting, and Helen startled each time. Owen grinned and said: ”I put the key back into the old man's coat pocket. They won't know how their little bird flew away.”
Helen smiled. Spontaneously, she bent down and gave him a silent kiss. ”You called me a little bird, you cheeky fellow,” she whispered in his ear.
He seemed embarra.s.sed and wiped the spot on the cheek she had touched, but then returned her smile.
They left the Golden Eagle the same way they had come. Before reaching the bridge, Owen told Andrew and Helen to wait in the shelter of a stable while he would check out whether all was clear.
It was pitch black. Andrew had his arms around Helen, holding her close, feeling her warmth. He found her lips and they kissed with barely suppressed pa.s.sion. Both were in a strange frame of mind, relieved to be together again, stimulated by their closeness, apprehensive that her folks might suddenly reappear, anxious about getting away from the Glasgow police.
”I love you,” he whispered. ”I felt so rotten when I left you in the clutches of your father.”
”I tried to signal to you.”
”That's what I thought, but I wasn't sure. It would have been stupid to try anything then. They would have overpowered me quickly.”
”I knew you would come and rescue me. I just didn't expect it today. I thought it would be safer once they took me out of the city. But I forgot about Owen. He's such a clever little fellow.”
”Yes, he did it largely alone. He found out where your folks stayed, and then Rose and I figured out a plan, and he executed it. I just tagged along and was probably in his way,” whispered Andrew.
”I'm glad you came along. They think that you're still in prison and will be deported. Father said that our marriage wasn't valid since you were arrested on the wedding day, ... before it could be consummated.”
Her torso, pressed hard against Andrew's, shook lightly as she chuckled. They kissed again, neither wanting to stop.
”He said he would find a minister who would annul it and then wed Robert and me... I would have killed myself before.”
”Don't say things like this. I want you alive... Did Robert hurt you when he came up to your room?”
”How do you know he came?”
”Owen saw it.”
”No, I didn't get hurt, just frightened. He wanted to rape me, so I kneed him.”
”That's what Rose guessed.”
”She told me how to do it.” Helen chuckled again soundlessly.
Andrew held her closer.
”The jailers have discovered that I escaped, and patrols are combing the city. This is why we have to be so careful.”
”Are you proud of me for springing you from prison?”
”Yes Helen. I'm very proud of you and very grateful. This will be something to tell our grandchildren!”
”Rose said that too. Oh Andrew, I love you.”
They played with each other's lips languorously for a while.
”Who's the other young fellow?” asked Andrew.
”Fergus Drummond. Don't you remember him.”
”Ah, yes. He was the one who showed me the stallion.”
”Robert bragged how he and Fergus had such a big laugh when they discovered that you were going to be convicted for the crime of my cousins.”
At that moment, Owen called softly. They ran across the approach of the bridge and blended again into the darkness of the buildings to the west of Stockwell Street. While they silently retraced their steps, an idea began to grow in Andrew's mind. These fellows had laughed about him getting convicted for a crime of the MacGregors of Balquhidder. How about turning the tables on them? He would discuss this with Owen once they were safely at The White Heron.
Fifteen minutes later, they sneaked into the backyard of the inn. Rose was waiting by the kitchen door and hugged Helen heartily. ”Oh, my dear la.s.s, am I glad to see you again. I wish you could stay. I miss you already.” She winked at Andrew and chuckled: ”And that handsome husband of yours.”
Helen kissed both her cheeks. ”I'll miss you too. Without you, Andrew would still be in prison.”
”Don't forget Owen. He was instrumental!” murmured Andrew.
”Oh yes. Where's my gallant little man? Let's settle our account with you now.” She pulled the string purse from a pocket of her skirt and took out two gold coins. ”You must let me double your fee, Owen. Here's your pay.”
He fingered the coins, inspecting them carefully.
”They are good,” remarked Andrew.
”I know. I just haven't seen new ones like these,” he beamed and put them proudly in his pocket.
”Maybe, you should consider investing your money so that it will grow,” Andrew suggested.
”Oh, I've ways to double it easily every few months.”
”I believe you, but it will also be much more risky. You could lose it all... I've been in that business too, you know.”
”You have, sir?” Owen sounded surprised, as if he didn't quite believe it. ”What kind of business then, sir? You don't look like somebody who knows much about smuggling, if I may say so.”
The three adults chuckled at the brashness of the little fellow.
”I was part of a band of brandy smugglers, first around here and then later in the north of France. Not so long ago.”
”Pardon me, sir, you sure could have fooled me, but you look like a most honest fellow. You must have been successful then.”
Rose too glanced at him sideways. ”You a smuggler? I can't believe it... So, this innocent face of yours, is it just a front?” She slapped her side in delight.
Andrew laughed, while Helen tousles Owen's hair, sending his cap flying on the floor, and then looked proudly at Andrew. ”I would like to take him along,” she whispered into his ear.
”I know. He's a delight. But he's far too independent to be mothered, my love. You'll have to wait for one of our own.”
”I guess you're right.” Her lips brushed his smooth cheek.
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