Ghosts of culloden moor.., p.1
Ghosts of Culloden Moor 17 - Cade (Diane Darcy), page 1
Table of Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Cade
The Ghosts of Culloden Moor (No. 17)
Dedication
To Lesli Lytle. Because at three in the morning it’s possible you’re still up and I bet I could talk you into going to breakfast. Thanks for everything!
Acknowledgments
With much gratitude to Heather Horrocks and Kristin Holt. You ladies always help me build a better book.
Chapter One
Scotland, 1740
Vivienne Campbell crashed through the woods in search of her quarry. She knew he was hiding from her and it was just a matter of time until she found him. She stopped just inside a group of trees and listened carefully. She couldn’t hear anything over the sound of her beating heart and harsh breaths. She considered waiting until both calmed, but the energy rushing through her wouldn’t allow it.
She took off again down the trail, watching carefully as she hurried by each bush, tree, and thatch of heather. She gripped the silver coin tightly within her hand and it bit into her palm, but not sharply enough to worry about. She was more concerned about losing it.
She didn’t care if she bled all over the thing. The gypsy told her what to do with it, and if she could just find Cade, she could fulfill her destiny.
Their destiny.
She stopped again, looking at a suspicious clump of blooming gorse over by the stream. Her sharp eyes caught bits of broken grass and squashed yellow flowers, and, as soon as she spotted the matting, she rushed in that direction. Cade was clever, no doubt about it. But this time he might have outsmarted himself into being trapped against the water.
“Cade, are ye in there?” She dropped to her knees and immediately spotted the green and red Drummond plaid. “Cade, I can see ye in there. Come out. I’ve something to show ye.”
She could hear male laughter rumbling from beneath flowering bushes.
“Cade! This is important!”
“Is it as important as the time yer cow got into the corn bin?”
She rolled her eyes. “Far more weighty than that, to be sure. If ye knew what I had—” she gripped the coin again as she tried to tempt him out with words. “Ye’d not be loitering beneath a bush, that’s for sure.”
“Is it as important as the time yer two younger brothers got stuck halfway up the cliff?”
She hit her clenched fist upon the ground and the coin pinched her palm. “Cade, I’m serious. If ye doonae come out of there, I’m coming in after ye.”
“If ye do, I’ll slip away into the stream. I’d like to see what yer mum and da would have to say about yer skirts should ye get them wet chasing after me. That and yer not known to be a strong swimmer.”
She made a scoffing noise. “As if I care what mum and da have to say. I’m a woman grown.”
He laughed outright. “At sixteen? Yer da would tan yer hide for saying such, I’d wager.”
“Mara McKay married yer cousin when she was just sixteen. If she can get married then surely I can too.”
“Aye, that’s true enough, but how old was he?”
She lifted a shoulder, not wishing to say the words.
“He was ten years older than her, ready to marry and support a wife.” He stretched out, comfortable, obviously not intending to move anytime soon. “I’m but eighteen, lass.”
“Are ye saying yer a little boy? Because if that’s what yer saying, mayhap I should set my cap elsewhere and find a man grown and not a babe such as yerself.”
And at that, he rolled out from underneath the bushes and gained his feet in almost the same movement. Her heart, which had started to calm, sped its pace once more. Cade Drummond might only be eighteen years old, but he was tall, broad of shoulder, and strong. He had yet to fill out with the bulk of his older brothers, but he certainly hinted at the promise of it and made her heart race in the process.
As well he should since he owned her heart, sure and certain. She gazed up into his bright green eyes, and managed not to sigh—like that whey-faced Edin McBean did whenever Cade walked by.
He grinned at her and hauled her to her feet. “As if I have to worry about that. Yer mine, and ye know it.”
She didn’t like the cocky curl of his lips, but she adored his claim.
“We’ll see about that, won’t we?” She turned and sauntered away, wondering if he’d be the one to try to catch her this time, or if he’d walk in the other direction.
She would die if he did.
She was grabbed from behind and pulled back to front against that long, lean body. She couldn’t help the shiver caused by the contact. Lord, he was attractive. And he was hers, whether he was keen to admit it or not. Possession worked both ways. If she belonged to him, then he to her.
As her hands clenched with surging emotion, she was sharply reminded of the coin in her hand and joy flooded her as she turned in his arms, pushed her long red hair out of her face, and tilted her chin. “Cade,” her voice sounded breathless. “I have something. A dark gypsy rode near the village and gave me this.” She opened her palm to show him the silver coin.
“He gave it to ye?” He radiated skepticism in both voice and expression.
“For a lock of hair.”
“Vivi!”
“What? ’Twas worth it!” She lifted a lock with her other hand. “He said my hair glowed with sunlight. He seemed very taken with it.”
“Yer never to meddle with Gypsies. I bet that’s not even real silver and yer hand will turn green before sunset.”
“’Tis! He told me so himself.”
“Silver for hair?” He laughed, and it sort of hurt her feelings. Didn’t he think a lock of her hair was worth anything? She’d considered braiding a length for him to place in his sporran. Now he would do without.
“Are ye telling tales?”
“There is a gypsy outside of the village and he did give me this coin.”
“Fine. What are ye tae spend it on?”
The determination she’d felt before rushed back and love for Cade swelled within her. Did he love her enough for this to work? “’Tis meant to bind us together.”
“Eh?” He looked interested as he peered at the coin. “Like a spell or something?”
“I suppose. He didnae truly give the details.”
Cade took it from her and studied it for a long while, turning it this way and that, then holding it to the sun where it glimmered. “What are these markings?”
“I doonae know.” She squinted at the coin, still held aloft. It looked to have leaves, stars, and perhaps the rounded part in the middle resembled a pearl. Standing so near Cade did funny things to her insides and she had a hard time concentrating.
He took her hand and pressed the coin to her palm. “Weel, gypsy or no, I’ve nae intention of binding myself to anyone.”
At that, her temper rose. “Weel, then, perhaps if ye find love so objectionable, ye’ll be alone for the rest of yer life.”
“I’ve got plenty of time yet to fall in love.”
She studied him to see if he was teasing her or not. If she was to take this big a step with him, she needed to be sure he was with her. “Ye just claimed I was yours. I love ye, Cade. Are ye sayin’ ye doonae love me?”
He hesitated and it was like a knife in her heart. She turned and stomped away. “Fine. Fine! I’ll not be wasting my coin on the likes of ye, Cade Drummond.”
His chuckle only inflamed her more. “Now, lass, doonae be hasty.”
She spun back to see he’d followed, but still held his distance. “Yay or nae. Do ye love me?” She watched him once again fight with indecision and determined he would answer for himself. He was so handsome, it made her ache. Didn’t he want her with the same passion she felt for him? Mayhap he just needed a bit of a push. She struggled with indecision, and when he still didn’t speak, she did.
“Cade, I have news.”
“Aye?” He seemed eager for the change of subject and her heart sank a bit more.
“My father’s uncle died with nae issue and my da has inherited a tavern in London. He is the only heir. I might be moving to London. Unless something happened here to stop me.”
Surely he’d ask her to marry him now? Surely. And if not to marry, perhaps to commit himself for the future. She’d be willing to wait for him. She gripped the coin in her hand once again.
Cade didn’t say a word and simply stared at her. Nerves tightened her stomach and she tried to remain impassive. She heard him swallow and his gaze dropped and she knew he wasn’t going to commit himself to her.
Panic pushed her into speech. “I know yer still hoping yer da will send ye to Aberdeen for schooling. If he doesnae, perhaps ye’ll soon find an occupation. I can be patient. As long as ye love me, I could wait.”
He opened his mouth, closed it, then took a breath. She held her own, positive he was about to say the words she ached to hear.
Male voices rang o
Cade glanced up, but she didn’t look behind her. She already knew she’d find his three friends. Keith, Alex, and Lundie were a pain in her arse.
“Has Vivi been chasing ye through the woods again?”
Cade laughed, pulled her to his side and wrapped an arm about her. “Aye, that she has. And I let her catch me.”
“And did ye get a kiss for yer trouble?”
“Cade?” She gazed up at him from the shelter of his arm. She needed him to commit. Could feel the moment slipping away.
He wasn’t looking at her and was now laughing with his friends. But she took hope in the fact he still had an arm wrapped about her.
Keith Drummond, Cade’s cousin, drew nearer. “Weel, at least she’s a pretty lass, I wouldnae mind her dancing about me. How about it, Vivi? Have ye got an extra smooch for me?” He made kissing noises.
She stuck her nose in the air. “That would be the day indeed.”
“What? Is it my face. Not as pretty as Cade’s? ’Tis not fair to the rest of us, is it? He does tend to have more luck with the ladies.”
Jealousy flashed through her even as she assured herself Cade was hers and hers alone. She squeezed the coin in her hand once again, finding comfort in the warmth it had stolen from her hand. “He’s mine.”
The boys laughed, and, after a moment, Cade did too.
His laughter sliced her heart in two and tears filled her eyes. “Cade, please.”
“She’s begging ye for another kiss?” Lundie called out. “Ye must have more practice than we’d realized. Weel, then, kiss her quick or I’ll do it for ye.”
“Nae, choose me, lass!”
“Nae, me!”
Cade grinned at his friends, and her heart seemed to stutter in her chest. It seemed he didn’t care if his friends kissed her.
In that moment, her love turned to ashes, and her heart to a stone in her chest. She wrenched out of his arms, and all the boys laughed once more.
Including Cade.
Vivienne walked a few paces away, then turned and threw the coin at him. He caught it in his hand.
“Vivi.” His tone was placating, but she didn’t care. Tears filled her eyes as anger filled her gut.
“I bind ye to me. May ye love me always, and never have me.”
Cade, now walking toward her, stumbled.
A pain pierced her heart and sheer willpower kept her on her feet.
She gave one last glare at the man who was responsible for hurting her heart and left, making her way though brush and trees.
She could still hear his friends’ laughter. “She’s cursed ye, Cade.”
“Ye’ve been cursed!”
“Cade the Cursed.”
“Shut yer maw! Vivi, wait!”
Tears blurred her vision but she kept moving forward. If he didn’t love her, then she wasn’t going to love him anymore either.
She’d move to London with her family and never see his eegit face again.
With a sob, she lifted her skirts and ran.
Chapter Two
Five years later
December, 1745
It was blasted cold to be waiting about like this and Cade hoped they started marching toward London again soon. He glanced around at his fellow soldiers, crammed together on the road, loaded with weapons, and waiting for news. Most shucked their bags to the ground, glad of a chance to lighten the load.
“Have ye heard anything? Do ye see anything?”
Cade glanced behind to see Liam McGregor shouldering his way through the crowd. The man wasn’t addressing him specifically, but Cade answered anyway. “Nae, we’ve not. Stuck here in the middle, we’re lucky to hear snippets as the men in front pass back any news.”
“Gareth is up front. He’ll know what’s going on.”
Cade supposed they’d all know what was going on soon enough. In the distance he could see Charles Stewart upon his horse, arguing with General Murray.
The murmuring started up again and Cade waited patiently for news to be passed from the front. Eventually, Payton Fitzjames called out, “Someone by the name of Bradstreet came to report.”
Cade didn’t know the man.
Men up ahead called back more information and no one moved as they waited. Finally, Duncan McPherson turned to call over his shoulder. “The road to London is blocked. There are nine thousand men between us and Henry of Winchester.”
A chill went up Cade’s spine. So much for easy victory. There were only five thousand of them.
“Are we still to fight?” Moody sounded worried. The man definitely liked a good brawl and wouldn’t wish to turn back.
Cade shrugged. “I doonae know.” He was taller than most of the men, so he could clearly see Charles Stuart now arguing with his first lieutenant. The men’s hands flew as they argued. Were they to go forward or turn back?
There didn’t seem to be much of a choice. Nine thousand men? Almost double what they had themselves.
Still, they’d fought well at Prestonpans and quite handily against a larger force. They’d killed at least fourteen hundred of the government army and taken losses of only four hundred themselves. A decisive win, though Cade had lost a good friend in Archy Morrison and mourned him still.
But given the chance, Cade would say most were ready to fight and be done. If he had a vote he’d be all for pressing to London. He wished to see Vivi. Was she married? To an Englishman? Did she have children? Did she regret half as much as him? Did she so much as remember his name? He’d wanted to write to her over the years, but with the war continuing, didn’t want to place her or her family in danger.
“I’ll see what’s going on.” Liam took off, pushing his way through the crowd again.
He needn’t have bothered. Word moved quickly through the rippling crowd as those in front seemed to awaken, gesturing and shouting until Liam was heard to shout, “We’re to turn back!”
Cade blew out a long breath as those around him erupted into shouts of fury, gesturing and calling out opinions until it seemed every man one of them spoke his piece.
“We’ve come so far!”
“We could win this!”
“Nae, ’tis better we turn back. Do ye wish to be slaughtered, mon?”
Cade knew he should probably be happy about the decision. He didn’t wish to die this day. But this surely blew his plan to pieces, didn’t it?
He’d had fantasies of them storming into town, taking the city, and when that was done, slipping off to see Vivienne.
Vivi.
It had been five years since he’d seen her face. Five years to regret. Reason said she’d probably married. No doubt had two or three bairns wrapped about her legs and looked at her husband the way she’d once looked at him.
But what if?
He touched the coin hanging from a chain about his neck. He’d carried it with him since the day she’d thrown it at him. Since the day he’d lost her.
What a fool he’d been.
Worried about what his friends thought? It seemed so ridiculous now. Though they’d been young, he should have gathered her up, kissed her, and pledged his life to hers.
What had he been waiting for? Someone better?
No such thing.
She’d cursed him to love her that day with her silly little coin, but she needn’t have bothered. He’d already been hers.
He often thought about how she’d looked that day as she begged him to commit. Her red hair shining in the sun, and her flashing blue eyes yearning and hopeful.
Where were the laughing friends he’d wished to impress? Where was the University education?
Scattered to the winds, much like Vivi herself.
Mayhap she did curse him that day. He’d certainly never let her go in his heart. She was that girl for him. The one who got away. The woman he should have married.
Marching toward London was the easiest walking he’d ever done in his life, as thoughts of seeing her again fueled his every movement. He ached to see her again. He needed to know if she was unclaimed, and if not, see if she’d give him a second chance.
He considered deserting, hanging back and sneaking past the guard at the rear. But to what purpose? To encounter nine thousand men? To be killed or pressed into the service of the king?
This war wasn’t over yet.
