Page 10 of Highland Ruse

Alive.

The bag of food had landed in a patch of grass not far from them.

Delilah’s gaze cut to the Highlander. “They’re alive.”

The Highlander nodded. “Aye. They willna be getting out of those ropes any time soon, but nor will they die there either. The food will last them until they find a village.” His vivid blue gaze shifted from the window to her. “Long enough for us to be far enough away that they willna be able to find ye.”

• • •

Kaid had not expected Elizabeth Seymour to be so beautiful.

The sun spilled over her face and turned her skin to golden-lit cream, and her almond-shaped brown eyes gazed up at him, large and long-lashed, like those of a doe.

She stared at him with a defiance he ought to find maddening. It burned deep in her gaze, simmering above the fear.

A spike of disbelief shoved through his gut.

He was really doing this, kidnapping an innocent woman who had done nothing more than find herself unfortunately betrothed to MacKenzie, as if that were not its own special punishment.

The image of MacKenzie touching this delicate woman flashed through his mind and brought with it a flood of fiery anger. MacKenzie did not deserve a woman so fair. Certainly he should never be allowed to possess something so fragile as the dainty Elizabeth Seymour. He would break her and take joy in having done so.

“Why are you doing this?” She asked.

He wanted to look away, to keep from having to face her accusation, her betrayal, her fear.

His hand curled into a fist until the muscles of his forearm burned. He had to remember his people.

She was his leverage to obtain his father’s sword stolen in battle when he fell. She was the means to barter for an agreement which could lead to peace—a way to retaliate without losing men.

Images brushed at his memory, images of the massacre they’d suffered, but he quickly shoved them aside lest they overwhelm him again. He couldn’t appear weak in front of the women.

“Ye dinna need to ask questions.” His reply came out sharp. Her brow flinched, but she said nothing.

The maid whimpered again. The sound left Kaid wincing, but he did not blame the lass.

He blamed himself.

“How could I not ask questions?” Lady Seymour said in an equally sharp tone. “You’ve bound my men and stolen our coach with us still inside. If your intent is not harm, what is it then?”

It was a bold question for one in such a dire situation as hers, yet she demanded answers with the authority of a queen.

Aside from her exquisite beauty, she was no different than he’d imagined. She wore the air of entitlement around her like a fine sable mantle and seemed to expect the world to bow at her feet, all because she’d been born to great wealth.

He could tell she’d never known the pain of loss, the horror of seeing those she loved slaughtered, nor how difficult it was to win back the trust of men who sought answers.

There’d been a time where he had never known such things himself.

“You’ll find out in time,” he said. “All ye need to know now is that I mean ye no harm.”

She folded her arms over her chest. The simple act pushed her ample bosom against the lush red fabric of her bodice.

“What are we to do for food?” she asked.

“We’ll make do.” He leaned back in his seat, careful to avoid the parcels of salted meat beside him. When they’d finished what remained of the food stores he’d kept, he’d hunt and Donnan could head into a nearby village.

“Where are we—”

“Enough questions.” He gave her a level look.