Highlander's Beautiful Liar A Scottish Medieval Highlander Romance Historical Novel - Adamina Young Page 0,56

taking it. First, taking his revenge out on the Thistles, and then taking Alec’s life, and finally taking her.

In that order.

The Thistles. She had to make sure that Lana was alright. She would never forgive herself if Innes got his hands on her.

Alec. How could she even have thought to ask him to take her to England? He had so much to worry about already, and his family was here. Of course he couldn’t escort her.

But she would have to go, even if she had to go alone.

Mary. She would need to speak to Mary. “Alec, I am going to check the kitchens to make sure that everything is fine.”

As she tried to sneak away, Alec wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her close. “Doona be nervous. My sister loves ye already simply because she believes ye are an ally against her horrible brothers, and Connor will respect ye because of yer support of me. The kitchens are fine, and I will have ye walking into the dining hall with me.”

Cora frowned as he drew her along. “I noticed you said that your brother would respect me instead of like me,” but then the doors were open, and there was no time for him to answer.

It was easy to pick out the laird of the Sinclairs. Even if he wasn’t surrounded by Alec’s closest friends, Cora would have been able to see the resemblance. Alec and Connor? Same dark hair, dark eyes, strong jaw and full lips, but it was more than age that separated them. There was a hardness in Connor’s eyes. Strength and power, yes, but pain as well.

“I do not see your sister,” she whispered.

“My sister wilnae be joining the clan dinners. Ye will understand why when ye meet her in the morn.”

Not wanting to seem weak in front of her husband’s brother, she followed him to the head of the table where she dropped into a curtsy. “Laird Sinclair, it is a pleasure to meet you. I apologize for not being here during your arrival.”

“Lady Cora. Sister.” Connor raised her hand and kissed it. “‘Tis a pleasure to meet ye, and ye doona need to apologize. Being my brother’s wife must be trying yer patience.”

There was a chuckle of laughter before Alec shook his head and pulled out the chair for Cora. Her tension about Connor eased just a little, but her other problem still weighed heavily on her mind, and even though she tried to keep up with the conversation of dinner, her thoughts drifted. Her fears imprisoned her.

The hours dragged on, and she finally whispered to Alec, “If it’s all right, I’m feeling a little tired. I think I’ll check on your sister and then go to bed. Will that be all right?”

To her surprise, he turned his head and brushed his lips against hers. “I am sorry if my family has made ye miss yers. Try not to let my sister convince ye to let her out of the keep. She has an adventurous spirit, but she always finds trouble.”

Sounds like they would have much in common.

She said her farewells to Connor and the men and headed to the guest chambers. She’d just started knocking on the door when it flew open, and a young woman grinned at her. “Hello, I am Grace. Ye must be my new sister! A bonnie lass indeed! No wonder my brother was in such a hurry to wed ye!”

Before Cora could even say hello, Grace had thrown her arms around her and hugged her tightly. There was so much warmth in that hug, and for a moment, Cora remember what it was like with Lana.

“Welcome, Grace Sinclair,” she laughed. “You are right, I am Cora. It is wonderful to meet you, finally. I am sorry that the wedding was in haste. I would have loved for you to have been there.”

Grace glanced out the hall before she pulled her in and closed the door. “Ye doona have to pretend with me. I know why ye and Alec really married. Is he being kind to ye? My brothers can be a wee bit dense when it comes to women. I should know. I have seen it.”

Liking Grace more and more, Cora laughed and walked through the open doorway. While Grace flounced stomach-first on the bed, Cora sat on the chair. “Alec is a good man, and a good husband. Admittedly, I have not been a good wife, but despite my lies, he has treated me with