Page 6 of Highland Ruse

Delilah settled herself on the velvet cushion and shifted to ease the squeezing tension of her over-laced bodice. While it might be beautiful, it would be uncomfortable for travel.

Leasa pressed her lips together and turned toward the open window where the sun was beginning to break between the trees in a ball of golden light. Just beyond the forest, the curved stone wall rose and fell with the swelling hills, like the limp body of a snake laid out over the lush land.

Leasa’s shoulders shook slightly, and she gave a wet snuffle.

Expendable.

Delilah knew how very painful being expendable could be.

Without warning, the coach lurched forward. Delilah braced her feet against the narrow bench opposite her to keep from shooting forward while Leasa tucked herself deeper into the thin cushions. A whimpering sob emerged from her throat.

Delilah slid her bodice dagger from where it had been sheathed flush against the busk of her bodice. The blade was narrow and sharp, as perfectly concealed as it was lethal. It was also one of the many Delilah had on her person, all courtesy of Percy, who also created all the potions and ingenious accessories which kept them all safe.

Before she could allow herself to regret the action, she held the dagger toward Leasa’s balled up fists.

The maid turned a watery brown gaze on Delilah and sniffed. “What’s that for?”

“You.” Delilah offered with a smile. “We’ll be fine.”

While she couldn’t promise to care for the woman without going into detail, she could at least offer the comfort of reassurance and self-protection.

A tiny smile crept over Leasa’s face in return, and she accepted the dagger with the pinch of her fingers, holding it as though it might bite.

“Thank you.” She placed the blade held awkwardly in her lap, but the sobs ceased and the two fell into companionable silence.

Delilah let her body rock in time with the coach and gazed out to where the forest sped by on the opposite side of the window. The long stone wall was all but obscured by the close trees.

Soon they would be in Scotland, and then the real anticipation would begin.

Would one of Laird MacKenzie’s enemies truly seek to harm them?

Would they be attacked with the intent to murder, or would they be held for ransom?

What if the assailants attempted to rape them?

Delilah threaded her hand into her pocket, past the large hole where it had never been sewn together, and to the dagger she had strapped to her thigh. She curled her fingers around the hilt to remind herself of its presence.

There would be no murder and no rape. Not on her guard. And if someone tried to abduct them, they would find themselves in quite the opposite situation, with her leading them captive to Inverness.

They would be safe.

All they had to do was wait.

• • •

Kaid MacLeod had been waiting for a moment of weakness. He’d been vigilant, unrelenting.

And he’d been rewarded.

Seumas MacKenzie had a weakness.

The setting sun cast a red pallor on the mud-spattered road, turning puddles to blood.

Elizabeth Seymour was supposed to have been on this trail the previous day. Certainly there’d been enough talk near Kenmore about her impending visit these last several weeks. He’d have to be deaf and blind to miss the rumors of the lady’s intended path of travel.

Being so far from all the gossip now would allow him enough distance to take a different trail, to lose anyone following them, and get her to Ardvreck Castle undetected.

Only the coach was late.