Page 18 of Highlander’s Beautiful Liar

Yet another lie. Jealousy burned through her even though she didn’t understand it. How could she care about a man that she didn’t altogether trust and who did not trust her?

“Ye don’t look like ye slept at all,” Louise said as she studied Cora. “What’s wrong, love? Other than being English, of course.”

Cora chuckled. “I assure you, being English does not keep me up. I’m still trying to adjust to my new life. Do you happen to know if Mr.Campbell is still here?”

“Mr. Campbell?” Mary asked sharply. “Ye mean Innes? What’s yer story with him? Ye looked terrified of him last evening.”

“No,” Cora denied quickly. She didn’t want it getting back to Innes that the servants thought she was terrified of him. “He just gives me a bad feeling.”

“He’s not a good man,” Mary said darkly. “Ye would do well to stay away from him. I think he’s still here.”

Trying to sound casual, she cleared her throat. “Is he planning on staying long?”

Louisa frowned. “I overheard his men saying that they wanted to keep an eye on things. Check up on the new laird. They’ll probably be here for a few more days. Why?”

“Just wondering.” Cora tried not to smile. If Innes was distracted here, then it was possible that she could slip away and get a head start to London. The man was a heavy drinker. After dinner this evening, she’d wait until he was good and drunk and then make her move. That would give her a solid eight hours start ahead of him, and if she was lucky, even longer. She might even get to London before Innes even realized she was gone. She’d get Lana and hide her away. Maybe then, everything would finally be in order.

She could go back to living her life and could forget about this whole nightmare. When Louisa and Mary started bickering again, Cora swiped a few biscuits and tried to hide her guilt. The two women were treating her like a friend, and she felt like she was betraying them.

As the day continued, she couldn’t help but feel more and more nervous. She couldn’t even meet Alec’s stare during the morning meal, and she could feel Innes’s eyes on her. The worst part was that she knew Alec was suspicious.

That afternoon, as she cleaned the chambers, she collected a few things here and there. Some clothes to ride in. She’d be less conspicuous as a man. A blanket and a canteen. She had no idea how long it would take her to get to England. She wasn’t even sure she knew the right direction, but so long as she went south, she figured she’d find her way eventually.

Forcing a cheery disposition for dinner, she tried to pretend that nothing was wrong. Finally, as she cleaned up after the meal, she gave Mary a curt smile. “Well, I suppose I’ll retire for the evening. Thank you ladies for everything.”

“Do ye think we’re daft?” Louisa growled. “Ye’ve been nipping food all day, and I can tell from yer flat belly that ye ain’t eating it. What are ye doing?”

Cora twisted her fingers around and felt a flush creep up her neck. She really was a terrible liar. “I have to go,” she whispered finally as Louisa and Mary stared at her. “I can’t tell you why.”

“Does it have something to do with Innes Campbell and why ye were in that prison?” Mary whispered. Cora nodded, and Mary and Louisa exchanged a look. She could tell the women knew something.

“What?” she asked urgently. “What is it?”

“I thought there might be something wrong, so I followed Innes today. He told his men that ye were too scared to tell the truth.”

Cora swallowed hard. “I have a younger sister in London,” she said shakily. “Innes is threatening her harm. I have to get to her as soon as possible to protect her. I’m leaving tonight.”

“A wee lass like ye traveling by yerself? Ye’ll never make it,” Louisa said as she shook her head.

“Then I’ll die, and hopefully my sister will be safe. You can’t tell anyone. Please.”

“I can’t let ye go out there and die. Tell Laird Sinclair. I know we all act like we hate him around here, but I think he’ll be good. I think he’ll protect ye,” Mary said as she grabbed her arm. “Ye will not survive the trip down the mountainous terrain.”

“I can’t tell Alec and neither can you. Promise me, Mary and Louise. Swear to me that you’ll keep my secret. He could lose this clan. You will be at the mercy of Innes Campbell.”

“What the devil are ye talking about?” Louise said loudly. She and Mary both stared at her, and she ducked her head. “What do ye know?”

“I can’t tell you, but I have to believe that between Alec and Innes, you’d choose Alec. Right?” The two women nodded. “Then you have to let me go. If I…when I make it safe, I’ll send word back so that you know. I took some men’s clothes so I can disguise myself, and I’ve also taken a few supplies. I’ll send those back as well. I’m not a thief.”

Louisa looked around frantically before gathering a few things and bundling them up in a cloth. “When ye get to the stable, ye tell Niall that I sent ye, and ye tell him that ye want Tally. He’s an older horse and won’t draw so much attention to ye, but he’s good and strong. Ye stay off the main paths as much as possible. Did ye get yer hands on a weapon?”

Cora’s eyes widened. A weapon? She hadn’t even thought about that. Mary’s eyes lit up. “Hold on. I’ve got ye covered.”

As she scampered away, Cora threw her arms around Louisa. “How can I ever thank you for this?”

“I don’t want ye thanks,” Louisa grunted. “I want ye to stay safe.”

“I’ll be safe,” Cora promised her. “I’m a hard woman to kill.”