Page 16 of Highlander’s Beautiful Liar

“Because by protecting me, ye protected all the women that work here,” Mary said with a smile. “Why are ye scared of Campbell?”

The change in subject threw Cora off balance, and she nearly spilled the new tray of drinks. “I’m not scared. I just don’t like the man. That’s not a crime, is it?” she asked hotly before heading back to the dining hall. She felt bad for speaking like that to Mary, but she couldn’t afford for anyone to guess her secret.

Reaching Cormac’s table, she served the men with a small smile. “Thank you for understanding,” she said softly.

Cormac barely acknowledged the statement, but Cora didn’t mind. The man had already protected her.

That made two Scottish men who had protected her in the past week. Maybe she’d need to rethink her position on them.

Smiling to herself, she went to duck back into the kitchen, but before she could get there, someone reached out and grabbed her arm. They dragged her down the poorly lit hallway and around the corner.

“Let go of me!” Cora demanded. She whirled around to face the man and gasped when Innes grinned at her. “Get your hands off me. I am no longer your prisoner.”

“Aye, but yer still my betrothed. I have the King’s seal to prove it, or did ye forget about that?”

“The King approved a marriage between you and Cora Isles. She’s dead, or have you forgotten that?” she hissed.

Innes didn’t look at all stressed. Lazily grinning at her, he reached up to touch her hair. She jerked her head back and struck it against the stone wall. The pain nearly brought tears to her eyes, but she struggled to control herself. “Maybe Cora survived,” he said softly. “Maybe Seth imprisoned her to keep her from taking over, and maybe I’m just the man to save her.”

“Or maybe you and Seth killed my father and then beat me for six months,” she snapped. “You touch me, and I’ll tell everyone the truth. Alec Sinclair is laird now.”

“Aye, but this clan belongs to me. I helped Seth with his plan because he was going to help me kill my brother, but he’s dead now, so I want this clan. And the MacKays want me. Even they’ll forgive me for marrying an Englishwoman if she’s the daughter of Duncan MacKay. This clan worshipped the man, and there is nothing you can do to stop me because ye know that I’ll kill that lovely sister of yours. She’s set to enter her first season next year, right?”

Cora swallowed hard and closed her eyes. “Just leave me alone. Please.”

Innes gripped her arm and leaned forward. For a hellish moment, she thought he might kiss her. “I can’t, Miss Cora. You belong to me. Just because yer walking around freely does not change that.”

“Well, doesn’t this look cozy,” Alec said coldly.

Innes stepped back and turned his head. “I’ve heard yer decree. Trust me, this one is more than willing, laird.”

“Claire?” Alec asked softly. “I think it would be best if ye served our meals now.”

“Of course. My apologies.” Pulling away from Innes, she hurried past Alec and tried to keep the fear from showing on her face.

She would never be free from her nightmares. Once Innes left, she’d have to make her escape and reach London before he knew she was gone.

It meant more lying to Alec, and for some reason, she hated the very thought of it.

5

Alec paced in his chambers and tried not to revisit the evening in his mind yet again. Watching Innes touch Cora awoke something primal in him, but it was even worse that she hadn’t pushed him away. He’d spent this whole time thinking that she’d been his victim, but what if he was wrong? What if Claire and Innes are working together?

It made sense. If they were working together to bring Seth down, it would explain why she was in prison and why she was reluctant to give him any information.

Did that mean he was next on her list? Innes no doubt thought he was next to be the MacKay leader. No one would suspect that the wee English woman would be able to bring him down. No one would suspect her treachery.

How would he get the truth out of her? He wanted to shake her until she said something that was honest, but he had a feeling that wouldn’t work. She had to have some weaknesses.

Despite her prickly nature, he recognized the look of lust in her eyes. He couldn’t bully the truth out of her, but maybe he could seduce her.

His body responded to the thought, and he set his jaw. He couldn’t keep thinking of her as a wronged thief.

She could very well be an assassin.

Alec didn’t sleep well that night, and he was up well before the rest of the castle began to wake. Stealing down into the kitchen, he was surprised to find that he wasn’t the only one up before the sun.

“Jamie,” he grunted. “Why aren’t ye sleeping?”