Page 107 of Highland Spy

She could almost feel the stoic defense sliding a shield between her and the burning heat of her pain. A hardness curling around the wounded place in her heart like a sheet of iron—powerful and impenetrable.

She knew that shield well. She’d held it locked tight around her heart for most of her life. It had gotten her through a lifetime of disappointment and hurt.

And now it would get her through this.

Chapter 26

If Connor had had much weighing on his mind when he left Kindrochit, he now had even more.

Kenneth’s involvement in the plot to overthrow the king lodged in his thoughts like a stone caught in a boot. The idea was reckless and dangerous. Not that Kenneth was above being those things, but it was also stupid, and Kenneth was anything but that.

Connor only hoped he could quickly see everything to rights at Kindrochit and rush back to Urquhart. If Delilah and Sylvi had returned, he could send them to seek out Kenneth, to ascertain proof to support Isabel’s claims. Doubtless the potential treason they followed had been part of MacAlister’s plot, if it was truly as large a conspiracy as Isabel had stated.

The sooner Connor could get back to Urquhart, the better. His people needed him, just as he needed them. They were his legacy. All these years, such a concept had remained dormant. Until the man in Loch Manor.

I recognize ye. Many of us do.

If any of his people were truly alive, then he’d left them alone and defenseless.

If that man was one of his people, they knew he was alive. They would be looking for him, seeking his counsel.

The roar of River Clunie announced their arrival before Kindrochit rose into view, but Connor did not feel the comfort of returning home. This was not his home. This was the place he was made to stay, where he was forced to twist women into something unnatural. Where he was forced to abandon the life he loved.

He glanced beside him where Ariana rode in silence, her face betraying none of the happiness and affection he so wished to see.

Kindrochit was a place where he had no future, even with the woman he wanted.

A palpable longing ached in his chest.

He hated telling her to keep what they’d shared silent, but he hadn’t wanted to bring her further shame by having anyone know. It was bad enough he’d taken her maidenhead, but it ached his heart to think she would be embarrassed were the others to know.

“This is it?” Isabel asked. “It looks…old.” Her nose wrinkled.

Connor suppressed a sigh. One thing he’d be glad for was freedom from Isabel’s constant complaints. Going from a luxurious life of royal nobility to that of a weary traveler had doubtless not been easy for her. Over time, he would see her toughened up.

Until then, he was at the mercy of her displeasure.

“It is old,” Connor answered simply. “It was abandoned before we took up residence, but it’s remote and people don’t assume it’s inhabited.”

Isabel offered him a small smile, at least making an effort to be amiable. “Remote is good.”

He led the way across the crumbling bridge of Kindrochit when a clang sounded from within. Every muscle in Connor’s body went tight.

He knew the sound well—the striking of blade against blade. Perhaps it was Delilah and Sylvi back, but if not…

He rushed into Kindrochit to find Liv and Percy facing one another in the large courtyard, both dripping wet from the rain and wearing the padded armor. Each woman brandished a sword.

He stared for a moment at the delicate way Percy prodded the air with the tip of her blade. Never had he thought to see her with a weapon in her hands again.

“Liv!” Ariana’s voice broke through the silence.

Percy dropped her sword and Liv spun around.

Ariana raced across the small courtyard and embraced her friend with obvious care.

For the first time since Liv had arrived at Kindrochit, Connor saw color warm her cheeks and brightness in her eyes. Even the copper of her hair shone brilliantly in the fading light.

“It’s good to see ye about, Liv,” he said with a smile.