Page 28 of Intrigued By A Highlander

Dru traced her finger absently over the worn fabric of her cloak. “Hannah heard the same as Hennie that Autumn was dead.” The words lingered in the air, heavy despite the casual way she had spoken them.

Knox didn’t react right away, finishing another bite before replying. “A tragic ending is always an easy story to spread and for people to believe.”

She met his gaze, brow lifting. “You don’t believe it?”

There was an edge to his tone when he said, “If she were dead, Phelan wouldn’t be hunting her.”

Dru considered that. It made sense. Bounties weren’t placed on the dead—unless, of course, someone wanted proof. “You think someone’s trying to make sure people think she’s dead.”

Knox nodded, his fingers idly turning a piece of bread between his fingers. “The question is—why?”

Dru leaned her head back against the wooden slats behind her, staring up at the dim beams overhead. “Maybe to keep people from searching for her.”

“Or to cover up something bigger,” Knox suggested.

“You think there may be more to it than marriage as to why Lord Torrance searches for his half-sister?”

“Someone wants her alive and someone wants her dead.” He turned quiet for a moment, rolling around a thought in his head. “What if they are somehow connected?”

Dru’s eyes turned wide. “Then the question isn’t just who wants her alive or dead. It’s what either stand to gain from it.”

Knox nodded, agreeing. “Dugan mentioned a healer who was close to Autumn’s mother.”

Dru nodded, shifting to sit more comfortably. “Hannah said the same and so did Hennie. But neither woman knew her name.” She pulled her knees up, resting her chin on them. “The healer may be the only one who knows the truth.”

Knox ran a hand over his face, his weariness showing in the tight set of his shoulders. “Then we find her.”

Dru huffed a quiet laugh. “You say that as if it’ll be simple.”

“It’s simpler than chasing rumors.”

She couldn’t argue with that.

The rain outside continued, the steady rhythm filling the silence between them. Dru let her eyes drift toward the barn doors, the edges of her mind turning over everything they had learned.

After a long pause, she said, “Many will join the search for Autumn with a bounty on her.”

Knox didn’t answer at first, but when he did, his voice was grim. “Phelan will eliminate them easily enough, either convincing them Autumn is dead, or threatening them.”

Dru shivered despite the relative warmth of the barn, a feeling settling deep in her gut. “Will he try to eliminate us?”

“Not yet,” Knox said. “He’ll wait. Have us followed to see if we’re getting closer to finding Autumn or wait until we do find her.”

“Then he’ll eliminate us?” Dru asked, the gruesome thought sending a shiver through her.

“He’ll pretend to bargain first.”

She understood. “A ruse to see us dead.”

“Aye, But no worries. I’ll see him dead first.”

He spoke with such a confident, yet icy tone, that it caused her to shiver again.

“With no fire to keep us warm, we’ll need to share our body heat,” he said.

She chuckled. “An excuse to get me in your arms.”

“It’s no chore. You fit quite nicely there.”

---