Page 71 of Highland Ruse

Leasa was there, her cheeks rosy and her hair shining. She’d abandoned the silly English gown she’d arrived in for a more comfortable homespun dress one of the MacLeod ladies had provided. The lass had taken well to life in Ardvreck Castle.

She entered the room and Donnan followed.

“Have ye seen Delilah?” Kaid asked in English.

“She’s at the orphanage.” Leasa cast a hesitant look toward Donnan. “Is something wrong?”

Kaid did not answer. He was already out the door and on his way to the large stone building where the orphans were housed, hoping all the way he’d truly find Delilah there.

Aida opened the door for him when he arrived.

He entered and scanned the large main room where several older children lingered. “Is Elizabeth here?” he asked.

Aida indicated the chairs near the fireplace. “I was wondering when ye’d come for her.”

The grip of fear on Kaid’s heart relaxed into relief.

He followed Aida toward the large hearth and found Delilah sitting with Claire in her arms. The child was snuggled against her and fast asleep, one thumb tucked in her mouth.

It was the kind of scene which told Kaid what kind of a mother Delilah might make, and for the quickest of moments, he wondered what she might look like cradling their child.

Aida held out her arms. “I’ll take her to her bed.”

Delilah hesitated and looked down at the child tenderly. “Are you sure?”

“Aye.” Aida bent over Delilah and scooped the sleeping Claire into her arms. The girl snuffled and turned her head to the side before falling still once more. “She’ll be fine,” Aida said in a reassuring whisper.

Delilah nodded and offered a weak smile. She waited until Aida was gone before she looked up at Kaid. She tried to say his name, but it came out in a choked sob.

Kaid was at the chair’s side in a single step. He reached toward Delilah, but she stopped him.

She closed her eyes and took a long, slow breath in and out. After a moment, her eyes opened, and she rose with all the elegance she’d ever possessed.

“Let’s get ye back to the castle, aye?” Kaid placed a hand at the narrow dip of her lower back and led her toward the door. It was a slight touch, barely enough to allow the delicate heat of her body to tease his fingertips.

She was clearly upset and everything in him wanted to comfort her. He wanted to hold her in his arms and let the breaking of her heart wash against his chest.

But his Delilah was a proud woman.

His Delilah.

He had no right to call her as much, and yet he could no more stop the thought than he could stop his heart from beating.

Delilah allowed him to lead her from the room into the cold night. The wind stirred the trees in a quiet rustle.

“Is everything well with ye?” Kaid asked.

She pressed trembling fingers to her lips. “That poor child. All of them. Those poor children.”

She nodded toward the trail in silent indication that they should go on.

Kaid took her hand and guided it to the crook of his arm, the kind of thing an English gentleman might do, true, but it was a comfort he knew she would allow.

They walked in silence all the way back to Ardvreck, the wind chilling their faces and the moon lighting their path.

When the castle gates appeared before them, Delilah stopped and turned to face him, her expression fierce. “I’ve made my decision.” She caught his hands in hers and gave them a hearty squeeze. “I don’t care what it costs me, I will help you.”

Chapter Nineteen