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lint nodded to Hector. "Off with you now. Me and Ethel and Winston can take care of this place for a few days. Dorothea's got the little ones sorted and she's got several women who can step in if she needs more help. Go now. Go see about yer brothers and yer da."
"But if the soldiers return, they could cause trouble." Hector had concerns about leaving these older hands to run the Sanctuary, although he knew each one was as capable as he and Reggie.
"They were scared to death of that fever when they were here last time. I don't think they'll get anywhere near this place!" Ethel laughed as she rubbed butter and herbs on the turkey she was preparing for the oven.
"I lived through the '15 uprising, Hector. Eventually they all just get tired of fighting and things settle down again. For a while anyway. Go on with you, now," Clint said.
"Reggie? What do ye think, lass? We'd be gone for a few days, but I really would like ye to go with me. My da will hide me if I don't bring ye to meet them before I marry ye."
"Hector MacKinnon! I haven't agreed to marry you yet, I said I'd think about it, that's all."
But she smiled as she said it and knew she'd go anywhere with this Highlander. He was so very different from her first husband, and that was probably a good thing. This time around she was older and much wiser.
Hector had known from the first moment that this woman was meant for him.
"Then we'll be off early tomorrow. We'll return as soon as we've made sure everyone is alright. Clint, my fear is that Alex and Jack were sent off already. But before I go running down to Edinburgh again, I want to know if anything has happened at the lodge. Caitlin and Millie may have heard something that might help me find them."
"Aye. That's not a bad idea. If I recollect correctly, those brothers of yours managed to get their women and themselves to safety when that lord and lunatic soldier was after them. They're not men I'd like to cross meself, 'specially that big one."
Hector laughed. "Ye've got a point there, Clint. I don't particularly like to cross them either, and we have our moments when we're all at the lodge."
"Another thing, too. My bones are aching like the very devil himself, Hector. That means there's weather brewing, somewhere. It might be a good idea for you to take the small, one-horse covered carriage for the trip."
"A covered carriage? I didn't know we had one. Where'd it come from?"
"The Mistress Cameron. She had it brought up from London some years ago. After one trip to the village in it she had us put it in the back of the barn and keep it covered with bales of hay. She thought it was just too "fancy" to be used here. So that's where it's been for some years now."
"That would be a lot more comfortable than the cart I used to take Aileen to the lodge. At least we'd be somewhat protected from the weather you predict may be coming. Why didn't ye tell me about it?"
"It completely slipped my mind, Hector. And, too, we had to make sure ye were as honest as our Millie seemed to think. Ye could have just taken off in that posthaste and we'd never see ye again."
Hector shook his head and laughed. "Well then, I'm glad to see I've finally gained your approval, Clint. Reggie will enjoy the trip if we travel in that. Thank ye. I'll take ye up on that offer."