Page 77 of Highland Spy

A strong part of him did not want to return to Urquhart.

Unease prickled along his scalp.

There could be an ambush.

Or his people could be alive and in need of their laird. The idea of them needing him and him not being there crushed inside his chest.

But first he needed to see to his obligation to the king and ensure Cora was safe, which meant eliminating MacAlister.

The rows of houses gave way to several trees and an open grassy field. Ariana appeared beside him and held up her basket to show bundled vegetables and small wrapped parcels.

“Tonight, we dine well.” The anticipation for such a meal was evident in her wide smile.

“We’ll dine well, but we’ll do so early. We have much to do tonight.”

Ariana lowered the basket and her eyes sparkled. “Will I be scaling a wall into the manor with you? If so, you’ll need to teach me.”

“Nay, lass. Ye’ll be standing guard while I do it.” He started walking toward Urquhart before he could let himself see her disappointment. This was always the difficult part—performing the assassination without the girls knowing.

His hands were stained with blood. Theirs did not have to be.

He would protect their innocence at any cost.

No matter how they begrudged him for it.

“What I need from MacAlister is something only I can attain.” His absent reply was the same he gave the other girls as they’d unwittingly assisted with each of his missions. “I’ll need ye to be a distraction. Nothing more, aye?”

A low rumble sounded overhead, promising more rain. He thought of Urquhart and reaching the safety of the tower.

His people had not seen safety there.

They might not have known safety for some time.

“Lady MacAlister appeared to be quite knowledgeable,” Ariana continued. “If we ask tomorrow, I can help.”

Several drops of rain spattered the top of Connor’s head. “We have what we need. This is something I prefer to do on my own. What I seek is highly sensitive.” He flicked the excess length of his plaid over his head and increased his pace.

The sooner they finished this task, the sooner he could devote himself to seeking out the surviving members of his clan. Gordon could wait a few more days for his death. Connor wanted to know of his people’s fate. But not before he’d killed MacAlister and secured Cora’s safety.

Perhaps even with Ariana’s aid.

“But Lady MacAlister might be more willing to part with information the laird will not,” Ariana said.

The constant interruption of important thoughts ground at Connor’s patience and made him spin around to face her. “We’ll go tonight—before Lady MacAlister arrives.”

Ariana was silent for a moment. “I’m perfectly capable.”

Connor shook his head.

“I won’t mess things up. I’ve been trained—”

“I know ye’ve been trained.” Connor’s control snapped like a thread drawn too tight. “Ariana, we need to return to Kindrochit. Ye either obey my orders without question, or ye stay behind and I handle the task on my own.”

She quieted then, and a part of him winced with guilt for having spoken harshly.

Deep down, despite his remorse, he knew he’d done the right thing. She would keep her hands and her conscience clean, and he would perform his duty to his sovereign, which might one day release Urquhart to him once more.

Chapter 19