Highlander's Beautiful Liar A Scottish Medieval Highlander Romance Historical Novel - Adamina Young Page 0,20

information reaches her ears.

Determined not to let the beautiful enigma consume him further, he followed his man outside the castle. Part of the reason that Alec wanted to stay was that the MacKay lands were breathtaking. He’d always be partial to the lands he’d grown up in, but the MacKay fields had a breathtaking view of the cliffs and the valley below. It made half the castle impregnable, and supposedly there were secret tunnels beneath the lands so that the MacKay people could never be trapped. So long as the laird could protect the other side, the MacKays would never surrender. Every clan on this side of the valley wanted these lands.

And now they were his, but only if he could keep them. He wasn’t about to let the liar and Innes Campbell take them from him.

“Mary!” Louise bellowed. “Why were there a dozen biscuits left out on the counter?”

Mary grinned and winked at Cora. “Why are ye asking me? Earlier ye were calling me a lazy cow for sleeping in a few minutes.”

The plump cook narrowed her eyes and studied the pretty servant. “I know yer little tricks. Ye think the fastest way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.”

“Among other things,” Mary said with a sly smile.

Cora couldn’t help but feel her stomach tighten. Was she talking about Alec? Had Mary found a way to the man after all?

What did she care? Alec didn’t belong to her. He could bed whomever he wanted. It didn’t bother her any.

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,