The Smithfield Bargain by Jo Ann Ferguson

Grange, baffled. “Here in this desolation?”
    He laughed, then winced as the doctor examined his arm.
    Ellen hurried to explain, “He means he and Lady Romayne had nothing on their table.” She dimpled. “You should not heed Jamie. He is always jesting.”
    â€œIs there a bit of something tasty about for me and Romayne?” He raised the mug the serving lass had handed him and took a sip. “I’d like to wash down this fine whiskey with something other than thoughts of food.”
    â€œLet me find you something to eat while Dr. Wollaston tends to you, Jamie.” Ellen clapped her hands and giggled again. “Oh, ’tis so wonderful to have you home! What fun we all shall have while we enjoy the company of our guests!”
    Romayne glanced involuntarily at James. Her gaze locked with his, and she saw her disquiet reflected in his eyes. He found nothing wonderful about this whole situation. She began to wonder where this disaster would end.
    Morning dawned with a crystalline sparkle. James rose with the sun as he had made his habit, dressed with Cameron’s help, and ignored his sergeant’s constant attempts to guard against bumping the bandaged arm. Dr. Wollaston had announced it nothing worse than a bad sprain, and a week of rest had helped ease the worst of the pain. Nothing had eased his frustration at failing to stop the traitor.
    â€œIt’s time, Cameron,” he said without preamble.
    â€œFor what, sir?” Cameron asked, keeping his voice low as he sat on a chest at the base of the rope bed.
    â€œTo start this blasted hunt over.” James bent so he could see in the glass to adjust his cravat. With the slanting roof of the house, there were few places on the upper floor where he could stand straight. “The blackguard must come out of hiding to meet his contact. While the weather closed the hills, I doubt he emerged from the comfort of his hearth. However, the sun has returned, and it’s time to complete our task.”
    Cameron nodded as he looked at the window where icicles dripped slowly. “But if the information is passed to the Frogs before we can halt it—”
    â€œI prefer not to think of that.” That was a lie. James thought of it all too often, although he was unable to do anything until he could mount his horse without Cameron’s assistance. “Cameron, how would you like to take a bit of a ride about the countryside?”
    The sergeant’s round face brightened with a smile. “My pleasure, sir.”
    â€œYou know what to look for.”
    â€œAye, anything unusual.” Patting his full stomach, he rose. Then he hesitated. “I hate to be leaving you with two women who are determined to see you wed to Lady Romayne.”
    James sat on a bench by the room’s sole window. Resting his arm on the back, he grinned. Grange’s determination to see her charge salvage her reputation had not changed a whit during the past week. “Do you think I will succumb at this point to the pressure from two old hens who are clucking about as if Romayne was the sole chick between them?”
    â€œâ€™Tis not their prattling that worries me, sir.” He glanced out the window. “’Tis the lady.”
    â€œShe wishes to be buckled to me no more than I wish to be buckled to her.”
    â€œTrue, but, about Lady Romayne, it’s most peculiar.”
    â€œWhat’s peculiar?”
    â€œIt may be none of my concern, sir, but—”
    â€œSpit out what you have to say, man.”
    â€œHave you considered, Major, that Lady Romayne and her companions were on the route you expected the traitor to take?”
    â€œOften.” His smile vanished as he leaned forward to place his bandaged arm on the knee of his gray breeches. “However, she is not an accomplished liar, for I can see through every tale she tries to create.”
    â€œAnd what of her betrothed? Do you believe him to