Page 83 of The Highlander Who Loved Me
Connor MacMasters would soon discover how very wrong he’d been.
She’d never give him another chance to deceive her.
Never.
Cranston.Gerard spoke the word as if he’d uttered an epithet.Loch Ness. Granloch Castle. Bluidy fortress.
Connor rebuffed his words, each low syllable more heated than the last.
“Bah, ye’re naught but a fool. Ye cannae give that bastard what he wants.” Seeming to abandon caution, Gerard’s tone rose above a surly whisper.
Damn the MacMasters brothers. If they thought to make a fool of her, how very mistaken they would be.
Connor’s duplicity was a bitter poison. To think she’d begun to trust the scoundrel! Anger flooded her veins. Dull pain throbbed in her chest. By thunder, she’d actually believed herself in love with the rogue. Oh, she’d been so very naive. She, who credited herself with good sense and a level head. Blast it all! How dare he betray her with sweet words and tender kisses. How dare he!
She repeated the names she’d overheard, etching them into her memory.Granloch. Loch Ness. Surely that must be Cranston’s location.
With slow, stealthy steps, she retreated to the chamber they’d shared. She needed the book. Connor was no longer worthy of her trust. She’d find a way to the castle Gerard had described as a fortress. She’d face Geoffrey Cranston on her own. And she’d bring Laurel home.
Connor could content himself with the blasted ruby. Demon’s Heart, indeed. Perhaps, with any luck, the rumors of a curse were true. He could bloody well reap the bitter fruit of his betrayal. He’d deceived her with his vow to save Laurel. Bold lies. Nothing more. He’d said the words he knew would gain her cooperation.
She would not be fooled again. Not by the likes of him.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Johanna plopped her traveling case on the bed and snatched a hairpin off the dresser. A few good jabs later, and several stitches in the satchel’s lining gave way. Carefully displacing the fabric, she slipped the book into place, smoothed the velveteen flat, and secured the cloth with a smaller pin. The false bottom she’d created would not withstand close scrutiny, but it would provide a temporary hiding place for the volume.
Connor would have no cause to examine the bag. She’d seen to that. The lock-box had been replaced beneath the floorboards, the oak plank slipped into position, and the hearth rug crinkled just enough to look tread upon. He’d have no reason to suspect she’d taken the book.
Not until she disappeared.
When the time was right, she’d slip away. She’d make her escape after the sun had driven out the thick, morning mist. She could play his game for a while longer. But the rules had changed. With any luck, he wouldn’t catch on until it was too late.
Surely he’d soon return. He’d think little of seeing she’d slipped into her combination, but the sight of her fully clothed might put him on alert. Removing her dress and shoes, she slid beneath the sheets. Perhaps she’d sway him to reveal his true intentions. After all, the Highlander was not the only one who could use tender kisses as a weapon.
Click.
Her breath hovered in her throat at the slow turn of the latch. She forced an exhale, then focused on breathing normally. She could not allow her rampaging emotions to betray her.
Connor entered quietly, as if he expected her to still be asleep. “I’d hoped to rouse ye from slumber while ye were in my arms.”
She propped herself up on her elbows and feigned a gentle, drowsy smile. It wouldn’t do to let him see how badly she wanted to confront him with the knowledge of his cruel betrayal. No, that wouldn’t do at all.
“I had the most delicious dream,” she said softly. “Of you.”
His dark brows cocked. Even in the dim light, she could make out the desire in his eyes. “Is that so?”
“You were kissing me…in the most wicked way.”
His gaze settled on her mouth. “That was not a dream, lass.”
She gave her head a little shake. “I’d thought you decadent last night. But that dream. Well…”
He stripped off his shirt. Ribbons of morning light danced against the powerful contours of his chest and shoulders, against the dark hair that feathered over his hard-muscled chest. My, how she wanted to touch that sleek, strong flesh again. Her mouth went dry.
A sly, knowing look darkened his eyes. “Do ye care to enlighten me?”
“So very wanton…I doubt I could find the words.” Johanna pressed her lips together, as if pondering a dilemma. She met his hungry gaze. “Of course, it would be easier to show you.”
