Page 120 of Highland Spy

But it was not the quiet plea in Percy’s desperate gaze which swayed Ariana’s heart. No, it was a far more selfish reason.

Opportunity.

It would be too hard to leave from Kindrochit. Liv might feel as though Ariana had abandoned her. There were too many in the castle who knew to track her steps. She would be found quickly.

Or maybe she wouldn’t be able to stay away and leave the others hurt at her absence.

But to leave on a mission… No one would feel the burn of offense, save Connor. And it was apparent he felt nothing for Ariana but lust.

In their travels to Urquhart, they would be three days out from Kindrochit. Ariana could easily find a way to slip the draught to Connor one night and then, while he slept, she could quietly slip away and begin a new life.

“Yes,” she said finally. “I’ll go with him.”

Percy pressed a hand to her chest with a relieved smile.

And Ariana tried her best to avoid the burden of guilt for what she planned to do.

Escape.

Chapter 29

The angry flush on Ariana’s face told Connor all he needed to know about how she felt traveling with him. She held a pair of shoes pinched between her fingers and one of Percy’s travel satchels loosely slung over her forearm.

Her eyes flickered to him, then back to the hall. She hadn’t even bothered to slow down as she passed.

He wanted to call out to her, to get her attention and hope he could somehow right all his wrongs.

And he had so damn many.

“Ariana,” he said.

She stopped and waited a brief moment before turning back toward him.

The apology sat heavy on his tongue. There was no use in apologizing again. But he was sorry.

The light coming in from the window lit her skin and the beautiful clear blue-green of her eyes. She’d been like silk under his hands. He longed to touch her again.

She arched an eyebrow in silent inquiry.

“I’ll keep ye safe this time,” he said finally.

Her chin notched upward. “I can take care of myself.”

There was a cold edge to her voice, one he’d never heard before. One he never wanted to hear again.

He liked the sweet feminine confidence with which she spoke.

This, he realized, would be a long trip. He regretted having promised Percy he would take Ariana with him. Things would be so much easier without her.

He followed her out to the stable and found her with her hands on her hips. Her gaze snapped toward him when he entered. “You didn’t have to start preparing my horse. I’m perfectly capable of doing it myself.”

“I know ye’re capable.” He dropped his own travel items to the straw-covered floor. “Which is why I dinna do anything with yer horse.”

The mare dipped her head toward Ariana, who absently rubbed the large velvety cheek with her free hand. “Then why is she in a different stall?”

Connor looked at the stalls in front of him. “Are ye sure?”

He remembered being in the stable with Ariana all too well. He’d burned so hot with longing for her.