Page 70 of The Highlander Who Loved Me
“This room was my grandmother’s pride and joy,” he said, pride coloring his deep tones. “She was a learned woman. Independent as they come. She poured her energy into this collection.” He moved with an effortless grace to an immense mahogany desk. He leaned against the piece, deceptively relaxed. “Ye said this was not a discussion, Johanna. Ye’re right. A discussion makes sense. But the notion that I’d deliver ye to Cranston is damned absurd.”
If only he didn’t study her with such intensity, she could cast aside his remarks. As it stood, the determination in his gaze spurred a flicker of uncertainty. She extinguished it, steeling herself against him.
“I can’t say that I give a fig about yer opinion, Mr. MacMasters. I know what must be done.”
“Ye need to stay as far from that bastard as ye can. Ye’re not one of the lasses in yer tales, and I’m not some daft hero willing to die to save ye.”
Something in his eyes flashed, contradicting his words. Connor would do whatever it took to protect her. Heaven knew he’d already proven that. But he didn’t want to face that choice. She understood his reluctance, better than he believed. But that changed nothing. Even a brave, bold man like Connor MacMasters could not guarantee her niece’s safety if Cranston realized he’d come for the child in Johanna’s place.
“I don’t need you to defend me. After we find Cranston, I won’t need your help. At that point, you can turn and walk away.”
“Like hell I will. I’m no coward, lass. But I understand damned well what you’ll be dealing with, something ye dinnae ken.”
The granite set of his features made it clear he would not be swayed. Unless…unless he believed her indispensable. If only she possessed something Cranston wanted. Something beyond the book and the damnable stone.
Something precious only she could offer.
Her mind whirled. Surely the sequence of numbers her brother-in-law had noted in his correspondence was significant. Perhaps the digits were a code. Or something else, some key to the treasure Cranston was willing to kill to possess.
She’d burned the letter from Mr. Abbott. Only she knew its contents. Only she could offer that information to Laurel’s kidnapper.
She steadied her voice. Any sign of hesitation would weaken her cause. “The book is worthless to Cranston without me.”
“The man wants the stone. He knows full well what he’s after. Unless ye possess the ruby, ye’re of no use to him.”
“I’ve reason to believe there is another component…a key to the jewel’s powers, so to speak. Cranston requires my presence. There can only be one reason for his demand.”
Connor’s handsome features settled into a scowl that might’ve silenced a banshee. “What is this foolishness? This morning, ye did not believe in the stone’s powers. Now ye’re speaking of spells to control it?”
She slowly shook her head. “Not a spell. But a code.”
“Ye believe the code is a means to finding the stone?”
“Yes.”
The word hung between them for a long moment. His eyes narrowed. Hardened. “It’s written in that journal of yers?”
“Of course not. Do you take me for a fool?” She tapped a finger to her brow. “It’s right here. In my memory.”
He stared down at her. “Ye expect me to believe ye’ve been carrying around a bluidy code in yer head?”
“Precisely.” Quite a wonder her voice remained steady.
His mouth thinned. “And ye did not intend to share this revelation with me?”
“Of course not.”
He rubbed his neck as if he had a twinge. “So, how is it ye were privy to this information? Or do ye intend to withhold yer source as well?”
“It’s quite simple, actually. Shortly before I received word that my niece was being held for ransom, a letter arrived in the post. From my brother-in-law.”
Connor eyed her skeptically. “And this letter…it included crucial intelligence?”
“Indeed. In revealing its existence, I’ve already gone against his instructions, which were quite clear. I would not have disclosed any of this to you had I not felt it a matter of dire importance.”
“Ye believe the code possess some hidden meaning?”
“It leads to the treasure.” She infused her words with certainty. “At least, I suspect that to be the case.”
