Page 95 of Highland Spy

She found a side set of stairs and made her way up. If Connor was within the castle, no doubt he’d be inside the solar, or perhaps one of the upper chambers, finding whatever it was he sought from MacAlister.

Several doors met her at the top of the stairs. All closed.

She’d have to open each to discern what lay beyond. Then again, she doubted any conversation Connor might have with the laird or any of the servants would warrant an open door.

Thankfully, having dressed as a servant would keep her from appearing out of place.

She opened the first door and found a large bedchamber with several trunks and bags piled near the massive bed.

No one appeared to be inside.

She slipped out and closed the door.

“What are ye doin’?” A harsh female voice sounded behind her.

Ariana’s heart lurched into her throat. She spun around to find a large woman with a frown creasing deep grooves in a fleshy face, like an apple left to wither in the sun.

“I—I was gathering sheets to launder.” Stammering the statement like a young servant was an easy feat, what with the fright the older woman had given Ariana.

The woman’s small brown eyes squinted and she craned her head toward the basket Ariana held. “We collected them yesterday.”

Ariana gripped the handle of the basket tighter to keep her nerves from showing. The woven wood crackled against her palm. “I was told Laird MacAlister needed me to take his.”

The older woman’s scowl deepened and her thin mouth all but disappeared. “Ach, I canna say I’m surprised.” She muttered something under her breath. “But that isna Laird MacAlister’s room.”

Ariana ducked her head. “Forgive me, I’m new.”

“Aye, I havena seen ye before.” The woman jerked her thumb over her shoulder. “His room’s the last one on the right. Mind ye hurry up though. I’ve need of ye in the kitchens helping for the feast tonight.”

Ariana nodded.

The woman didn’t leave, though. Instead she leaned closer, enveloping Ariana in the mingled scents of soap and sweat. “Whatever ye find in there, ye keep it to yerself, aye?”

Ariana nodded again, this time in agreement to the whispered threat.

Apparently satisfied, the woman pulled out of Ariana’s personal space and bustled in the opposite direction.

Ariana rushed down the hall with as much haste as she dared and tried the handle of MacAlister’s door. It gave beneath her fingers and swung silently open.

Quietly, save the pounding of her heart, she slipped inside. The shutters were closed, but the rising sun outside still lit the interior of the room.

Ariana glanced toward the bed and everything in her went still.

There, in the bed, were two sleeping figures, Laird and Lady MacAlister. But that wasn’t what caused her heart to cease its erratic beat.

Wearing the clothes of the dead guard from the night before and leaning over the man, hands poised to strangle, was Connor.

Chapter 23

Connor had been caught.

He stared at Ariana across the room.

Her eyes darted from his outstretched hands to MacAlister’s sleeping form and back to him. A look of horror parted her lips.

His heart went heavy as lead and slid deep into the pit of his stomach.

Of all people to catch him, it had to be Ariana, the woman who had consumed his thoughts through the night and all morning.