Page 116 of Laird of Smoke
But of course Adam had known that all along.
So Eve must have been part of his cover as a spy.A foil to afford him anonymity.A traveling companion to help him embed himself into whatever clan he had under surveillance.
He’d deceived her—kissing her, holding her, swiving her—all the while letting her believe he was a common outlaw like her.
Tears of heartbreak threatened at the corners of her eyes.
It was as if she’d slept with with a stranger.
She’d been so full of affection and desire and hope.He’d awakened things inside of her she’d never known were there.
Now she mourned the life she might have led.The husband she might have adored.The mother she might have become.
Her chest felt as if an anvil had been set on top of it.Her heart ached with loss and longing.
Yet more than just her heart was at stake.
There was no time for grief.She had to protect her mission.
Adam knew about the marriage document now.He would be furious if he found out it was Eve who had manipulated the king into signing it.He might try to seize it.To destroy it.
She couldn’t let that happen.She’d sworn to Hew and Carenza that she would see their union sealed.She owed them a debt of honor.
She had to flee.
As she turned and wove her determined way through the campfires, she spied persistent M-M-Martin hovering at the edge of the camp.He took a tentative, hopeful step toward her as she neared.But she gave him a quick shake of her head, instantly quelling his advances.Then she hurtled past the last pavilion and through the forest, eager to get back to the safety of the convent.
A few hundred yards down the path, she realized while her pattens gave her desirable stature, the wobbly things were slowing her.She stopped for a moment, crouching down to unbuckle them and shove them into her satchel.
Then she rose again and lunged forward, abruptly colliding with a thick wool gambeson.
Chapter 19
From the first moment the king mentioned a visit from Lady Carenza of Dunlop’s cousin, Adam’s suspicions were aroused.Why would the king hear about the marriage between Carenza and Hew from a mere cousin of the bride and not from the Laird of Rivenloch?It didn’t make sense.
Apparently, this cousin, a woman, had the marriage document in her possession.She even convinced the king to put his seal on it.
Just who was this mystery cousin?
Adam was fairly certain Carenza had no cousins.
But inventing a cousin sounded like the sort of audacious scheme someone like Adam—or Eve—might attempt.
Was it possible?Could Eve have contrived such a thing?For what purpose?
His suspicions were quickly confirmed.As soon as he exited the king’s pavilion, he spied a well-dressed noblewoman teetering out of the camp on ridiculously tall pattens.Shoes no sensible lady would wear.
And while he didn’t recognize the shoes or the limping gait, he’d know that luscious body anywhere.
He followed her.Once they reached the forest, catching up with her wasn’t difficult.She could hardly hobble at a decent pace, balancing on the infernal wooden blocks.
When she stopped to remove them, he slipped silently past her through the trees.Then all he had to do was wait for her to resume her flight.
Still, he was surprised when she literally crashed into his arms.
Even more surprised when she scrabbled at him in panic.
“’Tis me.Adam,” he told her, placing hands of reassurance on her shoulders.“What’s wrong?”
