Page 44 of Highland Ruse

His decision was selfish. The entire situation they were in was selfish. He was saving his people at her expense.

Elizabeth seemed to sense his resolve. “Please don’t do this,” she pleaded. Her gaze flicked to Leasa, whose mouth now gaped open in sleep. Elizabeth leaned closer to him, and the delicate scent of her perfume carried with it more memories than he could shut out.

She spoke in a quiet whisper. “If you care for me at all—”

“I canna care for ye.” The statement came out in a harsh whisper. “Ye belong to another man—my enemy.”

She straightened and gave him a brittle smile. “You’re right. How foolish of me to forget.”

He studied her erect posture and tensed muscles of her neck while she stared out the window. Away from him.

Even in this moment, where he understood her anger as well as his inability to do anything other than his mission, he could not help but admire her beauty and the quiet, confident strength she exuded.

Rather than argue the matter further, Kaid rapped upon the top of the coach. It would be best to handle this now before an argument could rise. He held his hands out in anticipation and caught Leasa’s sleeping form before she could smack her face into the seat beside him.

“What?” She looked up, her gaze bleary. “Who? Where—” Her brows lifted. “Where are we?”

Elizabeth put a protective arm over the other woman. “We’re to change from our coach to the horses.”

Leasa’s gaze focused and her frown deepened. “Why?”

“Because it’s been decided by forces beyond our power.”

Kaid did not have to look at Elizabeth to see her hard glare. He felt it, like the pointed edge of a blade poking at his neck.

Before he could listen to any additional arguments, he stepped out of the coach and nodded at Donnan’s confused face. “Separate the horses,” he said. “It’s time.”

Donnan winked and disappeared around the front of the coach to do as he was bid. The cheery tune of his whistling joined the clinking of iron hooks and links.

Kaid regarded the rear of the coach where several trunks were strapped atop one another. One had been broken in the fall, and a length of rough rope secured it together. There were also several bags made from thick tapestry. Those would serve better in their travel.

The trunks would have to stay.

And he dreaded telling Elizabeth as much.

She appeared at his side and crossed her arms over her chest. “I take it I can’t bring the trunks.”

Without waiting for a reply, she stepped forward and loosened the first tie holding the pile of luggage in place. Kaid rushed forward and caught the mass before it could topple onto her head.

Elizabeth’s cheeks were red and her brown gaze smoldered. He’d have to be daft to not see she was angry.

“I hope you anticipate allowing me time to sort through my belongings to determine what of my life is worth keeping and what should be cast aside like rubbish.” She settled onto the rough trail beside a fallen bag. “And to think I’d already pared my entire life down to these few trunks as it is.”

Perhaps he ought to try to explain things from his perspective, but he held his tongue. Best not to encourage her disposition.

The horses would help them travel with more haste. Soon they would be at Ardvreck Castle, and then it would be better if she did not like him, perhaps even easier if she hated him.

Even if, he knew, in the depths of his heart, he could never hate her.

• • •

Finery piled around Delilah in stacks of pricey rubbish.

All the beautiful items she’d ever wanted, all finally within her grasp as she played a woman far above her station, and all being taken from her.

She’d whittled down her belongings to the necessities—the steel-laced bodice, false-bottomed shoes, lock picks for her hair, a jeweled ring with a secret compartment, and all the other wonderful inventions Percy had sent her with.

It was a shame to leave so many beautiful gowns, all tailored specifically for Delilah. All the lush velvets and brilliant silks. They’d made her feel, for at least a moment, like someone better than herself.