Page 71 of In the Highlander's Bed

But Constance didn’t have time to talk to her sister. She had to stop Gordon before he left her. She pushed away to see the Scots riding away, shouting their battle cry. Gordon was already gone.

He’d left her.

A cold numbness stole through her. She couldn’t move. Couldn’t think.

“What has he done to you?” Charlotte worried.

“Come.” It was Miranda, on her other side. Constance hadn’t even realized she’d approached.

But shewasn’tgoing to leave. Not yet. She dug in her heels, turning to the duke.“What did you say to him?”she demanded.

To his credit, Colster didn’t flinch. “I asked him to think of you, of what was best for you.”

Constance’s first thought was to screamNo, this couldn’t be good for me.“In what sense?” she wondered. “My heart belongs to him.” Couldn’t he see?

Lord Phillip, who had also joined them,swore colorfully before starting for his horse. “I’m riding after Lachlan, and when I get my hands on him—”

The duke grabbed him. “No. Phillip, you’ll make it worse.”

“How could it be worse? You gave him that damn sword.”

“Because he is a good man,” Colster said. He looked at the small knot of them gathered in the middle of the field. “I believe Lachlan will do what is right. Let the Scots think on my offer. They will see the wisdom of it.”

Lord Phillip shook his head. “I hope you’re correct, because you have just placed this whole family in jeopardy.”

“Phillip,” Charlotte warned, placing a loving hand on his arm, a wifely wish for him to keep the peace. He covered her hand with his.

“I want him to be prudent,” Lord Phillip said.

“He has been,” Charlotte answered.

Lord Phillip shook his head but held his tongue.

“We need to take Constance home,” Alex said. He had joined them, to stand by Miranda. “And my wife needs to sit.”

Constance looked to her middle sister. “Yes, you must take care of yourself.”

“I was too worried about you to stay behind,” Miranda said. “Alex has been furious with me for insisting I come.”

“You didn’t need to,” Constance answered. “I wanted to stay with the clan.” And yet, she felt the pull here, as well. She crossed her arms, realized she still wore the Lachlan tartan, and hugged it even closer. “I love him. I love him so very much.”

“And he cares for you,” the duke said. “He left you here for your own protection.”

Constance brushed a stray strand of hair back from her face. She saw the worry in her sisters’ eyes. She felt odd, as if she didn’t belong here. Didn’t belong anywhere.

“I’ve changed,” she informed her sisters quietly. “I’ll not return to Madame Lavaliere’s.”

“No,” Charlotte agreed, shaking her head. In fact, everyone appeared to have grasped that Constance and Gordon had been lovers. Explanations had not been necessary.

Where would she go now? Constance wondered. Her dream of sailing on theNovusseemed a distant memory. And through the sadness came a bolt of pure anger. Gordon hadn’t had faith in her. Inthem.

He’d walked off. She never would have. And now, what was left for her save pride?

“I believe it’s time we left,” she said, self-conscious at how closely everyone watched her, even Alex and the outriders they had brought with them. She didn’t wait for help but started toward the coach. A footman helped her inside.

This was a plush coach, the likes of which Constance had never seen before. The exterior was painted a dark green, the Colster coat of arms on the door. The seats were a buttery soft leather trimmed in velvet. There was a pillow and a blanket. She helped herself to them as she settled in the corner of the compartment. A terrible coldness was creeping into her bones.

Miranda and Charlotte climbed in. Charlotte said, “You might want to let Miranda use the pillow. She’s in a delicate condition—” when Miranda interrupted.