For Love or Country: The MacGregor Legacy | Book 2 (11 page)

“Tyra, where are you?” Kirk’s voice grew desperate. “This is not funny!”

“I am coming!” The sound of her voice sucked the air out of Hugh. He whirled toward the direction and broke out into a run. Mud splattered everywhere, but he didn’t care. All he could concentrate on was getting to Tyra. He needed to see her for himself to know she was unharmed. He ducked and dodged tree limbs, bushes, and briars. His breath came in short gasps as he pushed himself harder.

“What were you thinking, Tyra?” Kirk asked, reaching her first.

Swinging around a large tree, Hugh saw Kirk face his sister with his fists on his hips like an angry father. Tyra stood over him by at least a couple of inches. The lad had grown taller in the last couple of months. The situation would have been comical if it had not been so dire.

Tyra’s fiery hair had fallen around her shoulders and down her back in disarray. A speck of dirt was on the left side of her jaw and the right side of her cheek. Even though she appeared to be fine, the hem of her blue skirt looked ruined with wet mud staining several inches from the hem up. As he approached, he breathed heavy from his exertion.

“I am of the same mind, Tyra.” Hugh said. “What were you thinking?” Torn between pulling her in his arms, never letting her go, and throttling her, Hugh clenched his teeth and allowed his feet to take root. He braced himself and took a deep breath to clear his mind. Of all things, he needed to be level-headed and not do or say anything he would later regret.

“Hugh, I promise, when we are home, I will confess where I have been and why I went there.” Her bold green eyes met his and something in her expression spoke volumes beyond his comprehension. A peace settled over him and for some reason he trusted her. He prayed he wouldn’t regret this decision.

“Indeed, you will.” He grabbed her cold hand and tugged her along beside him. She wasn’t getting out of his sight. He didn’t care he was supposed to report to Major Craig this morning for further orders. Marching her past Private Truitt, intense anger filled him as the sting of relief eased the panic inside him. Kirk and Truitt followed in silence and he was grateful.

Once they reached the site where he left his horse tethered to a tree, Hugh lifted her up into the saddle and mounted behind her. Kirk and Truitt mounted their horses. He reached his arms around her to grab the reins. Her close proximity brought a warmth and comfort to him he hadn’t felt in a long time. Tyra leaned back against his chest. The action was not a burden as it should have been, but a relief. He couldn’t explain why she meant so much to him. All he knew is he would do whatever it took to keep her safe—even betray his own countrymen. And he would do this, not knowing if she would do the same for him. What a fool he had become.

Hugh tightened his arms around Tyra. How could he convince her to trust him? To tell him everything as she claimed she would? Once they reached the stables, he commanded Private Truitt to see to their horses. He grabbed Tyra by the waist and lifted her down. She gasped at his abrupt force, but didn’t resist in the kind of struggle he knew she was capable.

“I shall be taking Tyra into my study to question her,” Hugh said to Kirk and Truitt. “See we are not interrupted.” He gave Truitt his full attention. “When you finish with the horses, come inside and wait in the parlor with Mrs. MacGregor and Kirk. Once I finish interrogating her, I will inform you of what is to be done, and I shall report the details to Major Craig.”

“Yes, sir.” Private Truitt saluted him.

Hugh grabbed Tyra by the arm and hauled her from the stables to the house. Upon their entry, Mrs. MacGregor was upon them. She threw her arms around Tyra as worried tears of relief crawled down her face. She cupped Tyra’s cheek. “Lass, what have ye done?”

“I am sorry, Mama.” A measure of guilt flickered in Tyra’s eyes. Hugh took a bit of satisfaction in knowing Mrs. MacGregor had not been part of Tyra’s scheme, whatever it was.

“Mrs. MacGregor, I will be taking Tyra into the study for questioning. Please do not disturb us.” Hugh pulled Tyra from her mother’s grip and hauled her down the hall and into the study as promised. He slammed the door closed behind them.

Once they were alone, Hugh stalked her. She backed up with a fearful expression until her back was against the wall. He imagined all sorts of dangers which might have befallen her. Unable to resist, Hugh grabbed her in a fierce hug and pulled her close. He could feel the warmth of her body against him and her rapid heartbeat next to his. Unwilling to deny the attraction between them and the gravitational pull she had on him, Hugh basked in the moment. He dropped his chin and gazed into her wide green eyes. It was his undoing. Hugh lowered himself until he touched her lips. She was soft and warm, all he had imagined she would be. Just like the scent following her everywhere, Tyra tasted of honey. When he needed to breathe again, he lifted his head and gulped fresh air.

“Tyra, please do not ever scare me like this again,” Hugh whispered against her lips. “I do not understand what is happening between us, but in spite of this war and our countries, I could never consider you my enemy. When I am apart from you, I now feel like I am severed.” He leaned his forehead against hers and took a deep breath, hoping she would embrace his feelings and not cast him away.

Chapter 11

11

S
hock vibrated through Tyra as Hugh’s forehead pressed against hers. She thought he had intended to box her ears, but he had kissed her instead. His warm breath heated her face and raised her pulse. He cupped her cheek and pressed his lips against hers in another tantalizing kiss. Breaking away from her, he wrapped his arms around her in a tight embrace as if he never wanted to let her go. He made her feel cherished and valued.

“I feared something might have happened to you.” He relaxed his hold as he stroked her hair. “Tell me why you went out in the middle of the night into a swamp at the risk to your health, safety, and reputation. I want to understand.”

Tyra laid her head upon his chest. The wool on his redcoat was rough against her cheek, but she wanted to stay right here against him for as long as he would let her. His heart drummed against her ear as if he were on a march. She closed her eyes, hating for the moment to end. What would he think of her when he learned what she had done? Would the news of what she had learned about his brother make a difference?

“When you dragged me in here, I thought you might try to throttle me.” She said, stalling before telling him everything.

“I freely admit the thought did cross my mind.” He chuckled, pulling back to meet her gaze. His gray eyes lit with a smile. “I was torn between it and smothering you with thankful kisses. I settled on the latter.” He leaned forward and placed a kiss on the tip of her nose.

“I must admit I prefer the choice you made,” she said. “Only because I dislike being throttled.”

“Is that so?” He lifted a black eyebrow, his smile fading into a serious expression. “Now, tell me why you did it?” He stepped back and crossed his arms over his chest as he waited with a calm demeanor, ready to judge.

“A month ago, I sent a letter to Red Fox, the Tuscarora Indian who brought you here.” She linked her hands in front of her. This felt worse than confessing to her father when she was a child. Hugh was a man she had romantic feelings for in spite of the fact that she should not, and she wanted him to respect and think highly of her. Even though he spared her the humiliation of having to confess in front of everyone else, his opinion was fast becoming as important to her as her family’s. “The letter was to my father. Since Major Craig is watching all the known Patriot families and has been known to have his soldiers read incoming and outgoing mail, I did not trust sending a letter through the regular carrier who passes through Wilmington.”

“The Indians are now running courier service?” Hugh gave her a skeptical look as if he didn’t believe her. Disappointment filled his expression as he blinked and rubbed his eyebrows, pinching the bridge of his nose. Her anxiety increased as she searched her brain for the right words that would help him understand.

“No, but they are great at being loyal to their friends, traveling hundreds of miles without being noticed, and discovering pertinent information because people think Indians are insignificant.” She rubbed her hands together and lifted her chin. “They respect my father and were willing to help me. Red Fox and his brother traveled until they found my father and gave him my letter. My letter was more than updates about our family. I told him how the British troops had taken over Wilmington, and I asked him about your brother, Colonel Neil Morgan.”

“What did you say?” Hugh asked, his voice rising. “Am I supposed to believe this is why you risked your life to go out there?”

“There is more.” She shook her head and scratched her chin. “After you told me about the huge battle at Guilford Courthouse, we needed to know if my da and brothers are still alive. We could not wait months knowing naught. I knew Red Fox could find out for me, and that is why I took the risk.”

“I see.” Hugh turned and strode toward the window. He stared outside in silence.

Tyra pulled the letter out of a pouch White Cloud had given her. She walked over and reached around Hugh to hand it to him. “You might want to read this. ’Tis the letter Red Fox brought back from my father. It has information about your brother. He is alive, Hugh.”

He accepted the letter and unfolded it. While he read, Tyra waited and stared down at the floor. A few moments later, he turned and looked at her. “How do I know if this is true?” He held up the letter and shook it. “Why would your father give you this information about my brother, a colonel from the very enemy he has spent the last five years fighting?”

“Because he trusts me to do the right thing,” Tyra said. “I have done no wrong. I have not betrayed you or my family. I merely found out what I could . . . your brother is alive, and so are my father and brothers.” She lifted her hands in surrender. “Is it something I should be punished for?”

“Tyra, you have caused more trouble than you realize.” Hugh massaged the back of his neck. “Major Craig will want to know why I am not at my post in Wilmington this morning. Private Truitt is well aware of the fact you disappeared, and we had to spend time searching for you. I must provide a convincing story, but something to keep you from being whipped or imprisoned.”

“What do you suggest?” she asked, hoping the sacrifice he required of her would be bearable.

***

Unable to trust himself to be near Tyra, Hugh gestured to a nearby chair. He needed to keep a level head, and the last few moments alone with her had tested him beyond his endurance. Without a word, she followed his suggestion and sat. A breath of relief escaped her, almost as if she needed to be off her feet.

Puzzled, Hugh sat beside her and leaned sideways, bracing his elbows on his knees and linking his hands in the middle.

“Tyra, I cannot hide the fact you ran off in the middle of the night. Private Truitt will wonder how I intend to handle this.” Hugh rubbed the back of his neck and looked away. “I do not want to punish you, but I have to give the appearance I am doing something about this. Otherwise, my commanding officers will question my judgment and reason for being here.”

“What do you mean?” Dread pooled in the pit of Tyra’s stomach. Images of all sorts of tortures slashed through her mind. In a feat of determination, Tyra clamped down on the rising panic quivering in her heart. “After such fine displays of affection, you would punish me?” Tyra lifted her hand, itching to strike him, but something stalled her. Betrayal lanced through her like a spear. Not wanting him to see her reaction, Tyra stood and walked across the room, wrapping her arms around herself.

“Tyra, please. You must understand.” His voice followed her across the room, but she lifted a hand to stop him.

“Do not come near me,” she said, her tone forceful and harsh.

“I have the dilemma of Private Truitt knowing what has happened, and he could go to Major Craig at any time. If they suspect I have developed feelings for you, they could remove me from here and send someone in my place. Would you prefer that?” Concern filled his tone, but she refused to turn around. Instead, she stared into the dark fireplace, realizing for the first time how cold the room felt. She rubbed her arms up and down.

“My concern is for your safety. Another soldier could be a tyrant. Believe me, I have seen them at their worst.”

Hot tears filled her eyes as she blinked them away. She was a fool to think she and Hugh could be anything other than enemies. “What kind of punishment do you intend to inflict on me?”

“Inflict?” In spite of her request, Hugh stepped close and gripped her shoulders from behind. “Tyra, you misunderstood me. I have no intention of inflicting any kind of pain. I could not bear it. My thoughts were to keep you secluded in your chamber for a week—naught more.” His warm hand gently squeezed her shoulders. “Although we shall call it imprisonment in your chamber to appease Major Craig.”

“Are you sure it will be enough to satisfy your superior officers?” Tyra refused to mask the sarcasm in her biting tone.

“I wish I could make you understand,” Hugh said.

“I understand perfectly well.” Tyra stepped away to put a bit of distance between them so she could think more clearly. “You say you do not want to do this, but as you have so aptly insinuated, we all have responsibilities, and duty must come first.” She met his gaze and squared her shoulders. “So you see, I do understand. Like you, I must do what is necessary to protect my family. You and I were born into different worlds and those two worlds are at war.”

“Tyra, I realize you are angry, but I do not want to quarrel with you and make the obstacles against us even harder.” He bent toward her as he lowered his voice, coaxing her. “This war will not last forever. If we hold fast, perhaps one day we could be together.” He caressed the back of his knuckles against her cheek. “I always thought you a woman of faith.”

“I AM a woman of faith, but I am also realistic.” Anger flared inside her as she jerked away from his touch. How dare he question her faith? He presumed to know so much about her when it was clear he knew little. She placed her wrists against each other and held them up as if surrendering to him. “’Tis time for you to do what you must. Escort me to my prison, please.”

“Nonsense,” Hugh said, rolling his eyes with a disbelieving shake of his head. “It does not have to be this way between us.”

“On the contrary,” Tyra said, ignoring the jolting ache in her heavy chest. “We must give the perception we are enemies as everyone believes us to be.” Tyra shoved past him and strode through the door.

Hugh followed as she stormed past Truitt, Kirk, and her mother. He gave them a brief nod, unable to address their concerned expressions and the questions swirling in their wide eyes. He hurried after Tyra, climbing two steps at a time, hoping to catch her before she could lock him out of her chamber. He wasn’t finished with her.

Full of momentum, he charged inside and nearly collided with Tyra where she stood waiting with her hands on her hips, a glaring expression marring her smooth features. She tapped her toe against the wooden floor. “Am I to be locked in here inside my chamber the whole time?”

“If not, would your confinement be something others would believe?” he asked, hoping to reason with her and make things between them right again.

“Why do I get the feeling you are secretly enjoying this all too well?” Her green eyes narrowed as if he was the target at archery practice.

“I must admit ’twill be nice not having to worry about your safety or what you might be getting yourself into.” He leaned forward, the scent of the outdoors and wood smoke clung to her hair. She must have been hovering over a fire to keep warm all night. He longed to reach out and touch her, but he sensed she would slap him by the fiery look lingering in her expression.

“I want you to know I have been the perfect lady since father left this past Christmas.” She pursed her lips into a straight line. Tyra walked over to her bed and sat on the edge. She stared up at him, while folding her hands in her lap as if she was content and had all the time in the world. Her green eyes held a cold glint that was not there before. “Will I be able to see and talk to Mama and Kirk?”

“Yes, they may visit you, but Private Truitt will stand guard outside your room,” Hugh said. Regret filled him as he questioned his decision and wrestled with the temptation to change his mind. He looked around her chamber to avoid her accusing eyes.

It was the first time he had a chance to view her chamber. She kept it tidy with the wooden floorboards swept clean of dust. Floral blue curtains were drawn back to allow light through the panes. The walls were a light cream color, the simple mantle left bare with the exception of candelabras at each corner. She had an armoire and a desk across the room. A chest sat at the foot of her bed and another was under the window by the wall.

“There is one thing I still do not understand.” He paced across the floor, memorizing every detail as if it could tell him more about her. “How did you manage to escape without any of us hearing you leave?”

“I slipped a heavy dose of chamomile in everyone’s tea.” He whirled to see her smiling. “I can be resourceful when I need to be.”

Hugh had no doubt.

***

After Hugh left Tyra’s chamber, he gave specific instructions to Private Truitt and explained his decision on Tyra’s punishment to her mother and brother. He left Truitt in a chair out in the hallway by her chamber door. A moment later, he stepped out on the porch with Tyra’s mother.

“Captain Morgan, I would like to thank ye for not making it worse on her.” Mrs. MacGregor’s blue eyes held a measure of gratitude as she smiled up at him. For the most part, her skin was still smooth and the beauty of her youth visible, but today worry lines framed her eyes and forehead. “Our Tyra is a strong-willed lass and has tried our patience often, but she means no harm.”

“Mrs. MacGregor, I shall do my best to protect her and keep her safe. The British army can be unforgiving at times, so we must be careful.” He shook his head, gripping his tricorn hat. “Part of the responsibility lies on her shoulders to not draw attention to herself and to behave in a way to not rouse suspicion. My ability to protect her from Major Craig is limited. He is my superior officer, and while I have not been under his command for long, I sense he can be quite ruthless when necessary.”

“I understand.” Mrs. MacGregor nodded and her chin trembled, but she didn’t break eye contact. “While you are away today, I shall talk to her.” She let out a deep sigh. “And pray.”

“It would be wise,” Hugh said, trying to ignore the disappointment threatening to dampen his spirits. “I fear she is too angry with me to listen to reason right now. Good day.” He bowed his head, placed his hat upon his hand, and descended the porch steps as he pulled on his gloves.

Hugh strode to the barn and saddled his horse. He kept his movements brisk to fight against the cold air nipping at his flesh. At least it wasn’t as cold here as it often was back home in England. He led the animal out into the yard and mounted up. He turned to look at the white MacGregor house and imagined Tyra standing on the porch waving to him.

Pain sliced through his chest. He and his brother had joined the Royal Army to escape the poverty in which they had grown up. The military had provided a way to travel, educate himself, and do all the things he could have never imagined on a farmer’s salary or working a labor position for someone else. He had never longed for a family of his own, a place to settle, or a deeper relationship with anyone beyond the family he had known and the few friends he had made. Women were always acquaintances and nothing more. He had always preferred it this way. Until now.