Page 45 of In the Highlander's Bed

“Yes, I can,” Constance replied. “You need me to ransom the sword.”

“Wedon’twant the sword.” Fiona moved toward her.

“Who is ‘we’?” Constance asked, fearing the answer. What if Gordon’s clan was turning against him? What if they had all grown afraid like his sister? If so, Constance thought, she had arrived just in time.

“Everyone,”Fiona declared, and then amended it to “Me.” Her gaze fell. “He didn’t…” She paused as if almost afraid to ask. “…hurtyou, did he?”

It was then that Constance realized she wasn’t asking about the bandages on her wrists.

Fiona glanced at her with an anxious expression. She feared the answer.

And Constance understood.

Fiona’s fear for her was based on her own experience. She had been raped. Constance had met women who had been raped before. Some could manage, all were left with scars.

Gently, she attempted to reassure Fiona. “Your brother has not touched me in any way that is dishonorable—” “Hekissedyou. I’ve heard the others talk about it. He slept with you here.Alone.”

“Gordon has been completely honorable.”

“Look at your wrists,” his sister ordered. “That was not honorable.”

Constance held up bandaged hands. “This couldn’t be avoided.”

“Yes, it could have.” Fiona held out the packet. “There’s cheese and bread for a day or more. I gave you what money I have. It isn’t much. Gordon has spent all we have on his rebellion. Now, go.”

Constance raised her gaze from the packet to meet the other woman’s eyes. “I can’t,” she said simply.

Being her brother’s sister, Fiona frowned as if unable to believe Constance would disobey an order. “And why is that?”

“Because I’m going to join the rebellion,” Constance said, not knowing until that moment that she would say it, that she had swung over to his Cause. But once she heard the words spoken, they sounded right. She was too late to reach Edinburgh harbor before theNovussailed, and she didn’t want to return to Madame Lavaliere’s or be put on the marriage mart in London. “I’m going to stay and fight,” she announced. “I’m joining the Scottish Cause.”

Fiona dropped the hand holding the bundle in stunned surprise. However, her reaction was not one Constance could have anticipated. “Dear Lord,” she said. “You’ve fallen in love with my brother.”

Eleven

The accusation stung with a hint of truth.

Constance frowned at Fiona. “Where would you gain such—” Words failed her. “—such an idea?” she blurted out, anxious to make the denial.

Yes, she was taken with Gordon. How could any woman not be? He was all things strong and honorable. He could be considerate and protective, but there was an air of danger about him, too. He had a man’s needs, yet hechoseto rein in his passions—and thankfully so. Constance had discovered the night before that all her defenses vanished when he kissed her.

But that didn’t equate with love.Lust, maybe—The direction of her thoughts startled Constance. She’d never been one to go moon-eyed over a man.

“My reasons for joining your rebellion are simple,” she assured Fiona.

The Scotswoman crossed her arms. “And they are?”

That she wanted to help Gordon achieve his dream of freedom.But she didn’t say that…because thatdidsound as if she was falling in love with him.

“I’m an American,” Constance said, grasping for ideas. “We thrive on rebellion.”

Fiona snorted her opinion. “Let me warn you, Miss Constance, I already know your story. You and your sisters are infamous since the oldest married Lord Phillip Maddox, the most eligible bachelor in England. You came to this country to win our men with your looks.”

“Ididn’t,” Constance said. “Charlotte dragged me here. I want to go home. I was running away when your brother kidnapped me.”

Fiona indicated the door with a sweep of her hand. Tad was now sitting up on his hind legs, his ears perked as if he took great interest in the conversation. “No one is stopping you from leaving now,” Fiona said. “Come, we’ll pretend I am guarding you.” She picked up the leadrope from the table. “I’ll walk you to the edge of the camp and then you can push me down and make your escape.”

Constance pulled her arm away from the woman. “I won’t go.”