Page 77 of Highland Ruse

As if sensing him, she glanced over her shoulder and met his gaze. Her stare lingered a second too long before she dropped her attention demurely to the ground.

Something Elizabeth would do, but certainly not his Delilah. Nay, his Delilah would have stared boldly back at him.

The clan’s murmuring blended into a hum of conversation he could discern bits of. None suspected Delilah to be anyone other than Lady Elizabeth. They all turned out to see her exchanged to her betrothed for their freedom.

They did not know the sacrifice she was making, how very strong she was, how brave. Nor the sacrifice he was making in letting her go.

The crowd quieted and regarded him.

He approached Delilah and bowed before her in reverent gratitude. “Lady Elizabeth, we thank ye for the help ye’ve given us and wish ye safe journey in returning to yer betrothed.”

He straightened. Her face was as impassive as he hoped his was. “Ye give our people a freedom we havena known for many years.”

The people gave a great cheer and Delilah inclined her head graciously.

Her hand was close to his. So close he could brush it and have it appear an accident.

The man in him wanted to catch her hand and press it over his heart, which ached with a fresh, stinging hurt.

The laird in him forced him to keep his distance.

“No!” A shrill cry rose up behind Kaid, and something knocked against his thigh.

A little girl with blonde hair ran past him and threw her arms around Delilah’s heavy blue velvet skirt.

Claire’s small fists grasped at the fabric and she looked up toward Delilah with tears streaming down her face. “Please don’t go. Please. I love ye.”

Delilah dropped toward the girl and scooped her up into her arms, foregoing all pretense of regal decorum. She hugged the child fiercely to her.

“I love you too.” Delilah spoke so softly, Kaid would not have heard it were he not so close. “But I must do this, and you must be brave.”

The girl’s face was pressed into the crook of Delilah’s neck. “I dinna want to be brave anymore. I canna lose ye too.” The words were muffled, but still audible enough to slice into Kaid’s heart.

He reached for Claire and Delilah reluctantly passed the girl to him. Tears shone bright in Delilah’s eyes.

The girl struggled against Kaid’s hold.

“I must go,” Delilah choked out.

Claire twisted in Kaid’s arms to see Delilah.

“It’s time,” Donnan said in a deep voice.

“I’m so sorry,” Delilah whispered. Tears ran down her cheeks, and Kaid knew how badly she must want to tell Claire why she was doing this, that she’d be back soon.

But Claire couldn’t know. No one could. No matter how much it weighed on his soul.

Claire sobbed with the same raw hurt he felt.

The man in him wanted to stop Delilah from entering the coach and bring her back to his chamber, where they could make love all day. He wanted her in his life, in his heart, at his side.

It was the laird who held the sobbing child as Delilah closed the door of the cabin and settled into the seat, disappearing from view.

Kaid watched the coach rattle away with the dawning realization that both the man and the laird loved the woman within.

And might have lost her forever.

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