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C
aitlin looked to Robbie. "We'll stick to the forest as much as possible. This map shows a clear path and my compass will keep us on target."
Robbie nodded. "I may not be such a good rider, but I can read a map and know how to use a compass. The library in Edinburgh has a room that's filled with nothing but old maps. I've spent more time than you would believe in that room. If I can manage to stay on this horse, we'll get there alright."
"Of course we'll get there. We have no choice. Alex and Jack have certainly been taken or they would have returned by now. You and I will have to figure out a way to find them and bring them back with us."
"We can go to my home there, I suppose. Mattie, our housekeeper, will still be there. She's been with us as long as I can remember. She'll help us. She's quiet as a mouse but knows everything that's going on in Edinburgh. She'll know the latest on the talk about town."
"But, Robbie. We've got to find out where they are. Is there more than one prison in Edinburgh? Or did they send them off already?" She shook her head in exasperation.
"First of all we must get there, then we'll tackle those problems. Let's be off now." She slapped Soldier on the rump and prayed Robbie would keep up with her
~ ~ ~
It only took a couple of hours of riding for Robbie to realize that if he relaxed his legs his backside didn't bounce around so much, and the fact he had very long legs seemed to be to his advantage. Plus, Caitlin was right. Goliath was surefooted and seemed to know exactly where they were headed.
He wasn't certain how long it would take them, and neither was Caitlin. If they'd been able to talk to Da he'd have given them some details that could have been helpful. But Caitlin knew Da would have tried to stop her, and she was determined to do this.
"Let's walk the horses for a little. My rear end is tired and I'm sure yours must be too. We'll stop at nightfall and rest a bit longer."
"I don't think we should stop, I think we should keep moving."
"Well, I think we should just walk on for a little now. We're being followed."
"What? Followed? How can you tell? I don't hear anything."
"I don't actually hear anything, but I sense something or someone. I'm sure we've been followed for some time now. As soon as it's dark, we'll find a place to get off and see who's trailing us."
Robbie didn't like the sound of that, but had no better idea himself. "What do we do if it is someone?"
"I have a pistol. Alex always insists I take one anytime I go by horseback." She spoke with authority, which was her way of trying to sound sure of herself in order to convince Robbie she could carry out this impossible plan. "And I can tell you, he's gruff with me if I don't do what he asks."
At this moment she would give anything to have him putting her in her place for not following his rules about traveling. Even better than that would be his strong arms holding her close and telling her all would be alright and to "trust me, mo chridhe."
Night was beginning to close in on them and Caitlin decided now was the time to find out who was close on their heels.
"Let's stop here. There's a stream where the horses can drink and we can stretch our legs. We'll have a quick bite to eat and then move on."
Robbie dismounted and led Goliath over to the stream. The animal was truly a man's horse, being at least eighteen hands high. Only someone with legs as long as Jack's or Robbie's could straddle his great girth, and Robbie was learning that riding was not quite as difficult as he had thought it might be. But it did feel good to be on his own two feet for a while.
Caitlin walked behind him and led Soldier to the water also. She got to her knees and Robbie came over to kneel next to her. She put a hand on his arm, indicating he should be still and quiet.
"What? Do you hear someone?" he whispered.
"No. But there's someone close, very close. I feel them."
Then, before either of them could see it coming, a large dark shadow reared its frightening head out of the darkness and flew through the air toward them.
WHUMP!
Caitlin was flat on her back, struggling to get her breath. It happened so quickly that Robbie fell over trying to get to her.
"Caitlin! Caitlin!"
The healer sighed and finally was able to speak, her nerves on fire.
"Willie? What are you doing out here? I told you to stay with Millie!"
But Willie had other ideas apparently. Presently, he licked his master's face as he stood over her with his fur standing on end and his tail wagging vigorously. Caitlin hugged him and held him close a moment.
"Alright then. Looks like we're stuck with you. No doubt you may be helpful to us. Should have known you wouldn't want me to go without you."
Robbie was almost relieved the wolf had come. He'd watched him follow the bairns at the lodge. The large beast was ever mindful of where everyone was and often knew when things were happening before all others. Yes, Robbie was very glad Caitlin's protector was here.
After a brief rest they were back in the saddle and on the path to Edinburgh, but they still had no real plan of action for what to do when they arrived.
Caitlin had never asked Robbie anything about his mother. She felt he would bring her up if and when he wanted to discuss her. That he did so now was a bit of a surprise to her. They continued to move along, and Robbie began to speak with more ease than usual.
"My mother left a letter for me before she passed away. I brought it with me when I came to the lodge, but I had not read it until last evening.
Mother's father is Lord Robert Wellington, a British citizen of course. He lives in London, but has properties in Scotland as well. In fact, according to her letter the house I have always lived in belonged to him, but he deeded it to her when she insisted on leaving London and moving to Edinburgh. She says she had her solicitor deed the house over to me, so I guess it belongs to me now.
One other fact I should probably tell you is that Lord Wellington is not particularly fond of me. Even as a small child I could feel his anger when I would come into the room. I wasn't old enough to understand, but I was aware of his dislike for me.
Apparently he knew who my father was, and that caused a great rift in his relationship with Mother. I don't think he knew the name, but he knew she was keeping company with a Scot, which in his mind was beneath her. But in her letter she says if I am ever in true need, I should go to him. Even though he despised she had a child by a Scot, he made sure she never wanted for anything and visited, even if infrequently. But he always frightened me, so I doubt I'll ever make contact with him."
"Families can cause great pain, but then also bring the greatest joys. I never had anyone but Uncle Wabi, but he was enough. Now, being part of this MacKinnon clan, I see what I have missed by not having sisters or brothers. I know you must understand that, even if only a little bit, since you were an only child yourself."
"When I first arrived at the lodge I was so scared. I didn't know what to do or say. Still don't sometimes. There are so many people at the lodge, or were. At my home it was usually very quiet and I kept to myself, either in my room or at the library. But I'm getting use to lots of folk and I can see that Alex's, er, Da's family is most important to him. But I'm not sure I'll ever fit his idea of what he wanted in a son."
"Alex is a very complicated man. But you'll find he is fair at all times and will never turn his back on anyone he cares for. He is truly the finest man I have ever met. I knew from the first that I wanted to be with him. Now, he is my life and I don't plan to let the Brits take him away from me."
With that statement she kicked Soldier's side and hurried on down the trail, with Robbie keeping pace every step of the way.