Premonitions

N ever one to show interest in the newspapers delivered to her brother every day, Daisy began to scour them for a list of Waterloo's casualties. It didn't signify that Kenneth assured her there was no news. He could easily have overlooked something important although he pored over the articles for so long it was a wonder there was ink left on the page.

They eventually read of Napoleon's abdication. "It appears he's lost the support of the French people," Kenneth declared.

"I should hope so," was all Daisy could think to reply.

"You never know," her brother replied. "There are many prominent politicians in our own country who admire Buonaparte and what he achieved. He's named his son as his successor as Emperor."

Daisy wasn't interested in discussing the ups and downs of Napoleon Bonaparte. He was responsible for Rowan going off to fight in a war. Rumor had it the French had lost at least twenty-five thousand men, the Allies an equal number. She prayed desperately that Rowan wasn't one of them.

The losses suffered by each regiment were eventually reported in the Gazette. Kenneth read out the grim news that the 32 nd had lost nine officers and one hundred sixty-five men killed or wounded.

The vague, impersonal report did nothing to end Daisy's anguish, nor did a frivolous piece about two Scottish soldiers playing bagpipes throughout the battle. One of them had actually played outside the safety of the square. Kenneth and Daisy's mother and stepfather seemed to think that the height of bravery but Daisy had no idea what it meant.

Finally, her grim-faced brother read out the list of officer casualties. "Major Rowan Halstead, 32 nd Regiment of Foot, wounded, severely."

"At least we know my brother is alive," Lady Willow Halstead replied.

Daisy's torment only worsened. The kippers writhed on her breakfast plate. "But what does severely mean?" she demanded as she rose abruptly. "Is he still in this Waterloo place? Who is taking care of him? I must go to him."

Kenneth probably voiced all the reasons such a journey was impossible but she was already on her way outside to take in gulps of fresh air.

News that Rowan was still alive came as an enormous relief to Willow. She loved her brother, despite his bombastic demeanor. Her father would fret that he'd been severely wounded, but he too would be relieved his heir still lived.

She sympathized with Daisy. It was impossible to know what kind of injuries Rowan had suffered. He was a proud man who wouldn't adapt easily to physical impairments. Many had apparently been blinded or lost limbs in the battle.

Stomach-churning as the possibilities were, Willow took strange comfort in the newspaper item about the two pipers. She harbored an inexplicable feeling, perhaps a lover's intuition, that Niven was one of those pipers. How that could be she couldn't fathom, but the steadfast belief refused to leave her.

Her father's visit that same afternoon didn't come as a surprise. One look at his gaunt face persuaded her this wasn't the time for recriminations. She flew into his outstretched arms and they shared a tearful embrace. "I'm going over on the next ship," he told her. "We've already ferried dozens of wounded men back across the Channel. I'll bring Rowan home."

"I'll come with you," Kenneth declared when he joined them in the foyer. "With any luck, we'll find Niven too."

Willow took a chance. "I know you think I'm just a foolish girl, but I've had a premonition that Niven is taking care of Rowan."

Strangely, William Halstead agreed with his daughter. He too had a feeling Niven and Rowan were together. Why Niven King would watch out for the man responsible for kidnapping him was a mystery—except that the Highlander was a more honorable man than the Withenshawes had given him credit for.

There'd been no report of Ash or Thorne being killed or wounded, so it was probably safe to assume they'd gone on to Paris with Wellington. If anyone could get a wounded Rowan out of a war zone it was the canny Scot.

"I promise I'll do all I can to find Niven," he told Willow.

"I know you will, Papa. I truly believe he was one of the brave pipers at Waterloo."

"Can you stay tonight?" Kenneth asked after an uncomfortable silence.

"Sorry, no. The Blue Spruce leaves at dawn on the morrow. I suggest you accompany me now and stay overnight at our townhouse."

"I'll come too," Willow said. "So I can see you both off tomorrow."

"Excellent," William exclaimed, glad his daughter seemed more willing to forgive his part in Niven's disappearance. He could only pray they found Niven alive.