Page 131 of Highland Spy

Connor grimaced. He knew politics too damn well.

Emotions clashed within him. Anger for having not come to check on his people himself, shame for having abandoned them, and frustration at how they had been saved by the very man who had betrayed him.

He needed to see Kenneth, and not just because his name was next on the list to kill.

Connor needed to speak with him, to ask the question plaguing him all the past three years: Why?

“He thinks ye’re dead as well.” Anise’s gentle tone pulled Connor from his reverie. “I think it’d do his heart good to see ye survived.”

This time he did turn and meet Ariana’s gaze. She nodded slightly.

“There’s a feast in two days’ time at Glenbuchat Castle in Kildrummy,” Tavin said.

“Aye, English and Scottish alike,” Tavish interjected. “A ball of sorts.”

Tavin nodded enthusiastically, belying his youth. “Ye’d have enough time to get there.”

The two looked at each other and shrugged simultaneously.

Ariana turned to Anise. “Could you secure a gown for me?”

Anise cast a reverent glance toward Connor. “Aye, anything ye need.”

The lass was putting on a brave front, but the red tip of her nose and the hollows around her eyes gave away the grief threatening to break her facade.

“Ye’ve done well, Anise,” he said. “Thank ye. I’ll have ye go home now and Tavin and Tavish can coordinate what we need.”

She nodded.

“Please let me know if ye need anything,” Connor offered before she slipped out the door. “I’m indebted to yer family.”

“It lightens our hearts to know ye’re alive, laird.” Her voice broke and she quit the room before any of them could see her tears.

Renny would have been proud of his daughter.

The subtle fresh scent he’d come to associate with Ariana tickled his awareness. He turned and found her at his side.

Close, but not touching.

As was her way now.

“I’ll go with you,” she said softly.

A swell of hope warmed through him. “Ye’re no’ going to leave, then?”

“Not until after.” She gave a smile so wry, it did not curl her lips or touch her eyes. “When you no longer need me.”

He wanted to tell her there would never be a time he wouldn’t need her. But with Tavin and Tavish in the church-quiet room and the brittle cloak of bitterness Ariana wore slung over her shoulders, he knew the words would be wasted.

He had her for two more days and two more nights.

It would have to be enough time to meet with Gordon and convince Ariana she did not need to leave.

Kenneth.

Connor pulled in a deep breath, but it did little to release the strain of the tension knotting his back.

After all this time, after all the betrayal, he would be seeing Kenneth again.