Page 123 of Highland Spy

Ariana remembered the additional items Percy had given her before they left Kindrochit. Not just food to tide them over for at least a week, but also a small dagger to hide in her bodice, and a pair of plain brown shoes with false bottoms.

The shoes were quite extraordinary. One need only to press one’s weight on the heel and twist to slide loose the trap door, revealing the single compartment. Within was another slender dagger which was sheathed under the foot, and a narrow slit on the side held a spare vial.

The shoes, which Ariana currently wore, were surprisingly comfortable.

The mix of items meant Percy hadn’t known what to expect either.

Neither Connor nor Ariana spoke again until it was well into the night and they’d made their way into the silent walls of Urquhart Castle.

Connor wasted no time preparing the grave, though the moon rose as high above them as the sun had that afternoon. Ariana would not offer him consolation, yet she did not leave him to bury his friend alone.

She grabbed an extra shovel and worked at his side, plunging the wide head into the soil until the earthy, moist scent surrounded them and the hole was deep enough to bury Renny.

Together they slid his stiff body into the waiting grave and shoveled the dirt back over him. When they were done, the mound of broken earth marked all that had once been a man. Like Connor’s father buried somewhere, hidden from his enemies. Like the guard they’d buried in the woods.

Her heart flinched at the thought.

Connor stayed for a long while, staring at the grave, and Ariana did not move from his side. Her arms ached to hold him, but she knew she could ill afford the attempt to comfort.

Finally, at long last, he turned to her. “Thank ye for yer help.”

Deep lines and shadows were visible on his face, his exhaustion as evident as hers felt. He opened his mouth, as though he intended to say more, and then stopped. “We should go to sleep. Tomorrow I hope to find the survivors of the massacre at Urquhart.”

She followed obediently behind him and hardened her resolve for what must be done before his people could be found. Renny was buried now. The corpse would no longer be left unattended.

Her footsteps were heavy with exhaustion, but her heart raced with a heady rush.

Tomorrow. She would escape tomorrow, after she’d had sufficient rest.

At her first opportunity, she would slip him the draught and leave.

Chapter 30

Connor stared out the narrow window at Loch Ness and tried not to let his gaze slip from the dazzling flecks of light dancing over the water to the bonny woman sleeping on the floor. The same as the last time he’d been at Urquhart with Ariana.

It was difficult for him not to stare with her sleeping so close, her black hair around her face like a silk curtain.

Since they’d returned to Kindrochit, he’d only seen her face either a hard set of determination or completely devoid of any emotion.

But now…

He let his gaze slip from the sunlit swells of hills framing the loch to Ariana, and unabashedly began to study her beauty.

Now her face was soft, her lips slightly pouted, her brow smooth.

She gave a heavy-lidded blink and he shifted his gaze back toward the loch.

“I’d almost given up on ye.” He’d meant it as a light jest, but the words fell flat.

Irritation niggled at him, though at himself or her or the situation, he had no idea.

Maybe a little of all.

“Are you wearing that?” Her voice was husky with sleep.

He hadn’t opted for his usual beggar’s attire of rags and the musk of horse manure. Usually he meant to discourage people from getting too close. But a laird could not approach his people thus, and so he’d donned his finest léine and newest plaid. He’d scraped his face with care by the loch. He even wore his father’s ring, though it sat heavy against his skin.

His stomach tightened at the idea of seeing his people again.