Page 44 of Highlander’s Beautiful Liar

“Less than a day’s ride?”

Kane nodded. “I can leave in the morn and be back in two days’ time.”

“Good. See how many ye can bring back. We are going to need all the men that we can get.”

“Ye should speak to Mary, Cora’s friend. Her brother was one of the ones that was forced off the land when he tried to stand up to Seth.”

Alec nodded. “Jamie?”

“I will stay here tonight although I doona expect any more trouble. ’Tis likely that whoever did this will target another village.”

“Just to be safe.” There were fewer than fifty people in this village, and most were too young or too old to fight off an attack. Alec didn’t want to take any chances. “I am posting men at the surrounding villages, so I cannae leave anyone with ye.”

“’Tis alright.”

That was Jamie. Loyal to the very bone. This was not supposed to be a long assignment for them. They missed their families, but they would stay forever if Alec asked it of them.

“I could stay.”

“Nay,” Jamie growled. “Ye need to be seen at the keep, coordinating duties. Besides, Cora is a force to be reckoned with when she is angry.”

Aye. His wife was gaining boldness and power by the day. But Alec didn’t hate it.

After giving orders, he turned and headed back to the keep. Despite everything, he was looking forward to spending a night with his wife.

18

With little to do to keep her mind off Campbell and Alec and her family in England, Cora threw herself into her work. She knew that Alec didn’t approve of her scrubbing the floors and washing the clothes, but today was not the day for her to be flitting about like a useless chit. Since there were no events to coordinate and the household ran seamlessly, Cora quietly helped the servants out.

Although she returned to her chambers in time to dress before dinner so Alec would be none the wiser, she found him inside and waiting for her.

“Must I find another mistress for the keep?” He sighed as he lounged on the bed.

“Too late. I have already spread word that you are a terrible husband, so no one will have you now.” She went over to him and tugged at his shirt. “Off. Let me see your arm.”

A cheeky grin spread over his face, and he shrugged out of his shirt. “If ye want me naked, all ye have to do is ask.”

“Now is not the time to seduce. You could be bleeding through your bandage. How would that look at dinner?” she fussed. Thankfully, there was no blood, so whatever he did today, at least he didn’t harm his sutures. “I will help you bathe tonight so you don’t get them wet. Just let me change for dinner, and we can go down.”

“Actually, we’re having dinner here, and I’ve already given the orders for a bath to be set up in my room. Why havna ye moved yer wardrobe into my chambers?”

“You spend so much time here that I thought they were both your chambers,” she said lightly even as her stomach fluttered. She still wasn’t entirely sure where she and Alec stood, but it was a good sign if he wanted all of her things in his room.

Wasn’t it?

“Tomorrow make that yer priority.”

Cora nodded curtly and tried not to think about the fact that any day now, Innes might send a letter back telling her that there are no negotiations. He wanted her, and he’d be willing to go through Alec to get to her.

“Cora.” Alec was impossibly fast, even injured, and she didn’t even realize that he was out of the chair until his hand was gently grasping her elbow. “Look at me. What is wrong? Are ye worried that I cannae keep ye safe?”

He still believed that she was in danger. “No, it’s nothing like that. I’m just worried about everything.”

“I wilnae let anything happen to ye. I swear it,” he growled before he pulled her close. Gasping, her mouth was already open when he kissed her. Hot and urgent, it took her by surprise. She had no defenses against him when he was like this, and she melted against him. Her hands had just started to roam the ripple of muscles along his hard abdomen when there was a knock at the door.

“I have the dinner that ye requested, Laird Alec,” one of the serving girls said on the other side.

“Damnation, but they have terrible timing,” Alec growled against her lips before he kissed her again and released her. Stumbling back, she touched her lips as he opened the door to take the tray. “Jamie will make our excuses at dinner tonight. Hopefully Gaston will be satisfied that I’m romancing my wife.”