Page 137 of Highland Spy

Then he closed the door behind him, securing them both within.

Alone.

And then he finally spoke.

“Ye’re really terrible at cards, Ariana.”

Resentment flared hot in her cheeks. “I’m better than you give me credit for.”

He put up a single finger. She bit back her sharp reply, which was probably for the best, and crossed her arms, as if doing so might protect her from what he had to say.

“I saw the pile of yer winnings. It isna any wonder ye were caught.” His jaw tightened and a line of sinewy muscle appeared on either side of his face. “First ye poison me, and then ye risk yer own freedom in an attempt to get a noticeable sum with which to escape.”

His searching gaze sought to strip away her defenses, but she held fast to them. She tightened her arms over her chest, though it provided no more of a barrier.

“Ye’re so desperate to leave.” The edge in his gaze softened. “Why?”

Her cheeks blazed. There was more to her wanting to leave than simple rejection.

She knew he desired her. It was evidenced in his suggestion to continue to see one another in private at Kindrochit. And in the kiss he’d pressed to her lips at the ball.

The issue was love.

Or rather, its absence.

It was the lack of reciprocation of her affection and how truly painful a burden it was to bear.

The answer stuck in her throat and made her heart ache.

She shook her head rather than reply.

He backed away and leaned against the narrow wall near the door. But he did not leave.

His finger tapped on his arm, not in agitation, but in more of a pensive manner—or so it seemed.

Regardless, Ariana should not care. She went to her meager belongings to pack what she would need.

It would have been a larger set of provisions had she possessed more than the four meager coins in her pocket.

“Prove yerself to me,” Connor said suddenly.

Ariana turned back toward him. “What?”

“Ye said ye’re a good card player. Prove it and play with me. I want to see if ye win.” He tilted his head as if daring her to accept his challenge.

Ariana felt the corner of her lip slide upward. He knew her well enough to understand her refusal of such a challenge would be almost impossible. “You’ll let me take all your coin?”

He smirked. “It isna money I want.”

“Then what is it you want?” Her breath quickened.

“If ye win, then ye can leave and I willna do a thing to stop ye.”

And so his motive was suddenly clear. She eyed him warily. “And if you win? I have to stay?”

“Then ye explain to me the full reason why ye’re leaving. I know ye’re upset with me for asking ye to keep us a secret when we got to Kindrochit. But there is more to it than that. I can see it on yer face and I can feel it between us. Ye used to talk to me about everything. I want ye to talk to me about this.” He sighed. “It’s the only way I feel like I can get ye to speak with me.”

He wanted her to confess her heart. She’d rather play for coin. But then if she won, she would be able to leave without worry he or the other girls would try to find her.