“I didna’ say that,” he answered too quickly.
“What gave you the notion you need to guard me?”
“I can't leave you unguarded in a foreign country.”
“You're telling me this is for my own good?” she demanded.
“Aye. I would be drawn and quartered if anything happened to you.”
That, Phoebe knew, was true. “You weren't instructed to see that I don't escape?” She left off the word again.
Donald didn't answer.
“How did that devil of a man have the strength to give any orders?”
Donald straightened with obvious pride. “He's a strong one. He said it didn't matter if none of us got a wink of sleep, we are to watch over you until his father arrives.”
By heavens, Phoebe cursed inwardly. They sent word to the duke.
“I "have no intention of sleeping in His Lordship’s room the remainder of the night," she said. Someone must attend to him. I give that task over to you. I shall fend for myself. You needn’t worry. I'll lock my door from inside."
Five minutes later, ear pressed against her bedchamber door, Phoebe heard a shuffle outside her room. Damn the man. Donald had recruited help with guard duty. This time, she had no choice: it was to be the rooftop.
CHAPTER NINE
At the muffled thud of approaching horses, Ty reached for the revolver he'd set on his log backrest and rose from the side of the long dead fire. He had expected one rider this morning, no more. His horse tugged uneasily on the reins Ty had secured to a nearby branch, and he flicked the animal a glance just before spotting the riders through the trees. He recognized Bernard, the man he'd hired to locate Ashlund and Phoebe, and with him, was Clive Randal. So, despite his warning, his mother had involved her lover. Clive’s gaze met his and didn't waver. Apparently Ty's warning to Clive had gone unheeded, as well.
Ty should have known the coachman would coerce his mother into interfering again. He saw this situation as a chance to help Lady Albery spend the money he believed she would have access to once Ty took possession of Phoebe's inheritance. Dammit, he should have killed Clive after he'd questioned him the night he tried to kill Phoebe. Once Clive described the two men who were with her, Ty recognized the description of Kiernan MacGregor—and Clive had outlived his usefulness.
“Arlington,” Bernard said, halting in front of Ty. Loosely gripping the reins, Bernard raised his hands in mock surrender and nodded toward the revolver Ty aimed at them. “You wouldn’t shoot your own men, would you?”
He would. Ty lowered the weapon.
Clive dismounted as Bernard swung his leg over his horse’s rump and stepped to the ground. Clive reached inside his coat.
“Clive.” Ty stepped toward him, but Clive already had his pistol pointed at Bernard as he emerged from between their horses. “Clive!” Ty shouted.
Bernard’s eyes widened in the same instant Clive fired. The horses squealed and lunged to the side as Bernard staggered back, arms flung wide. He made a gurgling noise, then twisted, falling face down onto the ground.
“You bloody fool,” Ty snarled. “I needed him.”
“The man was a risk.” Clive stuffed the pistol back into his waistband. "He led me to you without question."
Ty slipped a booted foot under Bernard's belly and turned him over. Blood stained his dirty, white shirt in a large circle over his heart. Ty looked at Clive. “You could at least have waited until I got the information I needed."
"He learned that Ashlund was at the inn a week ago with your cousin."
A week ago? Damn it, was he too late? "Are they married?"
Clive shook his head. "No, and there's something odd about the situation."
Ty tensed. "What?"
"She's going by the name Heddy Ballingham."
"Ballingham? Why is she using that bitch's name?"
Clive's brow rose. "You know her?"
"A baron's daughter. She married young, to an elderly man who left her with a small stipend. She is currently associated with Lord Stoneleigh. Are you sure it's Phoebe with Ashlund and not Hester?"
Clive shrugged. "Bernard seemed convinced."
"Did he find out where were they headed?"
"Ashlund's castle north of Glasgow."
"God damn it, Clive. Bernard had men working for him. Now I'll never know if they discovered anything more."
“His men never returned.”
“What are you talking about?”
"Bernard sent his men to find Ashlund, but they were a day overdue in returning. My guess is they tried to rob the marquess and either they killed him and ran, or he killed them.”
“They simply might not have discovered anything yet," Ty countered.
The coachman gave him a deprecating look. "You don't know the criminal sort, my lord." My lord held his usual condescension.
Ty nodded. "Not as well as you."
"That's right. Trust me when I say they made plans of their own."
Ty hated to admit it, but he was probably right. "What are you doing here?"
“Your mother sent me with this.” Clive reached into his pocket.