Page 76 of Highland Ruse

Dawn broke the sky and drew back the dreamy veil love had created.

Delilah didn’t want to wake, not when the alternative was to lie in Kaid’s embrace.

His arms were around her and his legs twined with hers. Her body was pleasantly warm against him. But it was more than just the bed she did not wish to leave—it was him.

Fight it though she might, wakefulness was coming to her.

Her mind began to race with thoughts for the day, preparations to make, plans for when she arrived at Edirdovar. It would be dangerous.

If she could not convince MacKenzie, or if he found out who she was, it would doubtless be her demise. Every step would have to be carefully trod.

There was so much to prepare to ensure her success.

She would need to pack, to plan, to say goodbye. She would also need to bathe before she left, but there’d be no time for the water to be heated. Surely the servants had risen long ago to prepare the coach for her departure. She would not leave them waiting, especially when there was already so little time to spare.

Kaid nuzzled his prickly jaw against her neck. Tingles of pleasure tickled over her skin.

How she wanted to stay here instead. But the MacLeods needed her. This had to be done.

She knew she should wake Kaid, but feared if she did, leaving would be all the more difficult. Perhaps impossible.

Instead she slipped from his arms into the chill of morning air and silently picked up her discarded clothing. She turned back to where Kaid still slept, his arms over the blanket where she’d been.

Where his love had been fulfilling and beautiful, reality was stark and ugly.

With a heart heavy by her own choices, she turned from the man she wanted and began to ready herself for a journey which might possibly lead to her death.

Chapter Twenty

Kaid had wanted the night to last forever, but the morning had come too soon.

His heart was lead in his chest before he allowed himself to open his eyes. He knew before he even had to look.

Delilah was not there.

He was exhausted from the night they’d spent, tangled in passion, exploring one another, learning everything there was to know about the other’s bodies again and again.

He regretted that he had not woken when she had, for it might have been his only chance to say goodbye in private.

He rose from the large bed to ready himself for her departure. It would be a great spectacle, he knew. The clan would be there to see her off, and welcome the prospect of peace once more.

The thought of her leaving clung to him like wet wool.

The man in him did not want her to go, to perform the job he could not perform himself. He was sending a woman to save his people. Not that he didn’t think her capable, but she could be injured. And MacKenzie was such a twisted bastard of a man, if she was caught—

His mind jerked from the thought.

The laird in him knew the necessity of Delilah’s action. She could breach MacKenzie’s defenses where he could not, where no one else could. One woman could save the lives of his people and bring peace.

Kaid dressed in the saffron leine of a laird and pleated his best plaid around his hips before making his way downstairs where the clan would be waiting.

The sky was thick with somber gray clouds, and a nasty wind stirred the air into a chaotic whirl. Heedless of the poor weather, his people clustered around the courtyard. They huddled beneath wraps of plaid, and women pulled their whipping hair from their vision to better see the lady who would save them all.

For Delilah looked regal where she stood. She faced into the wind the same way she faced everything thrown at her— with a quiet, admirable strength. Leasa stood at her side, twisting her fingers together in anxious anticipation.

Kaid nodded toward Donnan who stood behind the ladies. It eased Kaid’s fears somewhat to know his friend would be nearby. No one was as quiet as Donnan, as able to blend into scenery and disappear. Even if Kaid could not be there with them, Donnan would hide in the forest or a nearby town, whatever it took to be close.

The coach clattered into the courtyard, and his people parted to make room for its arrival. Kaid took advantage of the distraction to stare at Delilah once more.