Page 58 of In the Highlander's Bed

For once, Grace was apparently too stunned to answer.

“In truth, I admire both of you,” Fiona continued, turning her attention back to churning the laundry with her paddle, as if not wanting to meet their eyes. “I’m trying to be as brave as you are, and I’m not certain I want to see you go, Constance. My brother may very well be a fool if he releases you.” She caught some clothes on her paddle. “Here, are these done?”

Constance recovered from her shock enough to murmur something about letting the waterheat more and putting in a bit of soap. Not that she didn’t appreciate the change of topic. Fiona was far more perceptive than she had given her credit for, and was right—she was falling in love with Gordon.

No other word could describe the way her heart raced and her mind went on alert anytime there was the possibility of catching even a glimpse of him. Sometimes, when he slept beside her, she’d lie awake watching him breathe, wishing…

She reached for the paddle, taking it away from Fiona, needing something to do with her hands.

Grace spoke. “I think Gordon Lachlan is the finest man I’ve ever met.”

Constance agreed…although she sensed Grace had a purpose to her comment.

“Wasn’t it amazing,” Grace continued, “how he alone heard Jamie Allen and Peter McKenna’s calls last evening?” The young troublemakers had scaled down the Cliffs and discovered a cave, but found they couldn’t climb back up. “No one else, not even their own parents, noticed they were gone.”

“My brother has always been that way,” Fiona said, adding a hunk of the soap Constance had made to the laundry water. “He sees taking careof everyone as his personal responsibility. As hard as he is on his men, he’s harder on himself.”

That was one of the things Constance admired about him. Gordon was the sort of man she’d learned to respect in America. Resourceful. Fair-minded. Industrious. She’d not seen many of their sort here.

But she wasn’t about to even hint at the depth of her feelings before these women. To do so would make her feel awkward and foolish, especially since nothing could come of it.

Fiona and Grace waited as if they expected her to say something, and Constance had a panicked moment when she feared that perhaps her feelings weren’t as hidden as she’d believed. She lived on pride now, trying to hide her deepening feelings for Gordon.

“He will turn me over for the sword,” she murmured. She looked at the other women. “I’m here for a purpose. I must remember that.”

“Isn’t it peculiar,” Fiona said, as if not speaking to anyone in particular, “how the strongest people are often the most vulnerable when it comes to love?”

Love.

Fiona had said the word…and Constance knew they had guessed her secret.

“Aye, a pity really,” Grace answered.

Constance stared at the water she stirred, both humbled and frightened that they knew. She glanced up to see them both watching her. It made her want to run.

She set the paddle aside. “Do you know what has come of Brian and the ransom note?”

Fiona frowned as if disappointed. “Gordon expects Brian back shortly.”

“So,” Constance said quietly, “my days here are numbered.” A knot tightened in her stomach.

“They don’t have to be,” Grace said. “Youcan changehismind.”

Constance shot a look at Fiona. Gordon’s sister shrugged, as if to say it was out of her hands.

“I don’t believe I can—” Constance started.

“Of course you can,” Grace said. “You are the bravest woman we know. Lay your soul bare. Let him know.”

“And what of the sword?” Constance asked. “What of the Cause?”

Grace and Fiona exchanged glances but said nothing.

It was the silence that bothered Constance the most. “I’m not a fool,” she said. “I’ve heard the rumblings that most of the clan would ratherstay here and not fight the English. But you can’t,” she pointed out. “Gordon is right. Sooner or later the soldiers will come. You either build an army or flee. He’ll never run.”

Fiona picked up the paddle. She studied the wood a moment before saying, “It’s just that I thought you cared for him.”

Constance could have shouted that she did, but she also loved him and knew there was only one course for Gordon, one path.