Page 113 of Tempting the Highland Spy
But he’d have to let her go.
There was no other choice.
…
Grace awoke before the morning light, tucked against Harrison’s strong, warm body. He stirred gently in his sleep, but didn’t fully awaken as she slipped out of the bed and retrieved the gown from the side chair and the silk wrapper from the floor. She slipped into the dressing gown and cinched the tie at her waist before leaning over and pressing a kiss to his cheek. He reached for her in his sleep, but she scooted away. She had to clear her head. She couldn’t afford to allow passion to get in the way of her thoughts. There was so much to think about. So much to decide.
She’d made love to Harrison with no intention of a future with the man. She’d expected no promises. No vows. Neither had pretended that their affair, tender and loving as it was, would lead to anything more.
But her heart ached at the thought of saying goodbye.
How could she leave for America and put all of this behind her? Could she go on with this longing in her heart, knowing it might never be fulfilled?
She had to be honest with him.
After the dawn, she’d tell him the truth.
All of it.
Soaking in the tub, Grace basked in the warmth and fragrance of the hot, lavender-scented water. She closed her eyes, considering what she’d say to Harrison after the morning meal.
If only her nerves wouldn’t wipe the entire little speech she’d composed in her head from her memory.
She indulged herself with a few more minutes in the luxurious water, then rose and dressed for the day, selecting an unembellished black skirt and a blouse in pale green silk trimmed with black lace at the collar and cuffs. After fiddling with her hair for a few minutes, she finished pinning it into place and checked her appearance in the mirror.
A knock at the door alerted her to Harrison’s presence. He’d come to escort her to breakfast. They took the meal in the elegant dining room, then she asked him to accompany her to their chamber.
“You seem upset. Is something wrong?” he asked as he closed the door behind them.
She shook her head, not quite a lie. In truth, nothing waswrong.Her nerves were stretched thin, but she had to confess what was in her heart. Such a pity she couldn’t ignore the voice in her head that urged her to bury the emotions in some dark place within her and go on with her life.
A life without Harrison.
The thought of it cut like a dagger’s edge. She pulled in a breath. She had to tell him the truth.
All of it.
“Harry, have you learned to trust me?”
“Of course.”
“There are some things…some things you need to know.”
A frown crumpled his brow. “What’s troubling you?”
“I’m not sure ‘troubling’ is the right word. Rather, I need to tell you the truth—I want you to understand why I’ve done these things…why I’ve been a thief.”
“I understand what you were facing. Anyone could see your parents’ deaths were a traumatic loss.”
“That’s part of it. But there’s something else…something I haven’t told you. I was afraid the truth might be used against me. Another bargaining chip, so to speak.” She rose and retrieved a small portrait she’d hidden between the pages of a book in her traveling case. “Thisis the reason I did what I did.”
She pressed the photograph into his hand. He peered down at the image of a sweet-faced girl with golden-blond ringlets tied with black velvet ribbons.
“Her name is Claire. She is sixteen years of age, an accomplished student at a fine academy for young ladies—and she is my sister.”
“Your sister?” He examined the image more closely. A smile played on his lips. “Yes, I can see the resemblance.”
“She was not quite two when my parents died. Aunt Thelma took us in. She did her best to support us, but there was so little money. I was determined that Claire would have the advantages our parents would have given her. She intends to be a teacher. Someday, she’ll make a good marriage—she’ll have everything she deserves.”
