Page 63 of Kilted Seduction
“Word from Mac?” Thora came to a stop beside him.
“Aye. The storm is set tae break soon.”
“Then we’ll need tae be on our way out with the winds. ‘Tis far too dangerous tae remain here, especially now.”
“A vision?”
“A feeling. I cannae say fer certain when or how, but I ken we’re in mortal peril if we remain.” Her voice was quiet, matching the grim mood he felt.
Neither of them felt like talking as they watched the windows and waited for the winds to die down and the snow to stop falling. By the time it had, full night had fallen, and even through the stone, the air was bitterly cold.
Aedan turned from the window to find Thora already donning her heavy cloak and boots. He did the same but left the cloak to lie casually draped across his shoulders. It would invite less suspicion than if he pulled it close about him as he wanted to.
There were few people in the corridors as he and Thora made their way to the main doors, all of them servants who were busy about their errands and never spared them a glance. Even theguards at the doors made no comment, though that might have been because Mac was already there and had given them some excuse to satisfy any questions.
The courtyard was almost as empty as the halls, the guards’ focus beyond the walls, rather than within them. No one stopped them as they made their way to the stables, where Aedan’s guards were ready and waiting with the horses, and no one stopped them as they led the horses from the stable out into the frigid night.
Something inside Aedan uncoiled. They were almost free. A few steps through the gate and out into the road, and then they could mount and ride away into the dark. Surely Lachlan would never catch them…
And then a figure strode out from the gatehouse, and Aedan felt his heart sink as he looked into the cold, triumphant eyes of Lachlan Ross himself.
The Laird of Clan Ross raked them all with his sharp gaze, then met Aedan’s eyes. “Leaving so soon? But the festivities are nae yet over.”
“I’ve had word o’ urgent matters in me clan that require me presence.” Aedan kept his voice steady and tightened his grip on the reins.
“But I’ve seen nay messenger, and ye didnae come tae bid me farewell. Most discourteous o’ ye, Laird Cameron.”
“An oversight. I dinnae ken why a messenger didnae reach ye, but the matter is dire, and I’m needed. Ye ken what is like tae be the leader of a clan, and I’m sure ye understand why we couldnae spare a minute more even tae bid farewell,” Aedan kept his expression calm, but his heart was racing. Somehow, Lachlan knew what they’d planned, and what they really intended.
“Is that so? Or is it that ye came tae spy on me, and having found whatever it is yer after, ye intend tae flee like rats off a sinking ship?” Lachlan’s voice turned cold. “Such behavior from an ally…”
“’Tis nae…”
Lachlan shook his head. “But then, what could I expect, from a man who would go behind me back tae form an alliance with me enemies?”
The words were so confusing that Aedan momentarily forgot the danger they were in. “I dinnae ken what ye’re speaking about.”
“Dae ye nae? Dae ye really intend fer me tae believe that ye planned this deception o’ yers - pretending tae be wed - fer innocent reasons? Or is it that ye think me fool enough nae tae nae realize that the woman by yer side and pretending tae be yer wife isnae Thora MacTavish, but Thora MacLeod, o’ clan MacLeod, masters o’ the isle o’ Skye, and me sworn enemies?”
The world froze, then cracked and shattered around Aedan like shards of crystal. “What are ye talkin’ about?”
Lachlan laughed, a harsh and ugly sound. “Thora… yer false bride. She is Thora MacLeod, the Laird MacLeod’s younger sister. Did ye think I wouldnae discover the truth?”
His breath stopped. Aedan was sure his heart stopped as well, then cracked in his chest like stone struck with a hammer. His chest hurt as if he’d been stabbed through the ribs. “’Tis a lie.”
“I assure ye, ‘tis true. And if ye dinnae believe me, tak’ a look at the lass’s face. The truth is there tae see.”
Mind numb, heart aching and stomach churning, Aedan turned. He wanted to see anger on Thora’s face, or denial and outrage. Anything to prove Lachlan’s words were a lie. Instead, he saw the one thing he wished above all elsenotto see.
Resignation. Despair. And guilt.
It’s true. All o’ it… is true. She lied tae me all this time.
CHAPTER THIRTY
Thora saw the despair on Aedan’s face, the crushing grief that mirrored her own feeling of desolation. She saw the shock of it sweep over him, the way his heart broke and shattered in his eyes at the truth that had been revealed.
She couldn’t move. She wanted to run to him. She wanted to run away. She wanted to strike at Lachlan Ross for what he’d just done. She felt warm tears falling down her cheeks while her gaze never left Aedan’s empty eyes.
