Highland Spy

by Madeline Martin

  Her dark brown gaze met Delilah’s. “You look very similar to me.” Lady Elizabeth had a dainty, almost songlike voice. Her cheeks tinged pink and her gaze flicked to Sylvi before darting back to Delilah.

  Sylvi watched the noble woman with an unflinching stare, her arms crossed over her narrow chest and her stance strong and stolid like that of a soldier. She seldom wore dresses anymore and opted instead for leather trews and a black leine. Her multitude of braids had been twisted back into a splayed mass of blonde hanging down her back like the feathers of a commander’s helmet.

  Still though, she’d kept the black ribbon tied at her neck. Only now Delilah knew the reason for the uncharacteristic feminine adornment.

  Many men found themselves intimidated by Sylvi’s appearance. The subtle parrying glances Lady Elizabeth slid toward Sylvi indicated the noble woman was absolutely terrified.

  Delilah stepped forward in an effort to put the other woman at ease. “We do look indeed similar. I am glad to aid you in ensuring your safe travels to meet your betrothed.”

  A delicate smile teased the corners of Lady Elizabeth’s mouth. “I do appreciate the risk you take on my behalf.”

  Delilah nodded in acceptance of the woman’s gratitude. For truly Delilah was putting herself at risk. It was not every day she allowed herself to be led into a potential trap where she might be kidnapped.

  Dangerous, yes, but Delilah could not quell the skip of excitement in her veins. Finally, after five long years of combat training and weapons mastery, after countless plots uncovered and thwarted, and many successful assignments, she was being given the opportunity to operate entirely on her own.

  Without Sylvi there to ensure all went according to plan.

  The hard set of Sylvi’s face indicated how she felt about being excluded from the mission.

  There was far more for Delilah to think on now than Sylvi’s attitude toward the circumstances. Like ensuring Lady Elizabeth made it safely to Edirdovar Castle, and the man who sought her harm brought to justice.

  Lady Elizabeth pulled a small velvet sachet from a bag at her waist. “This is from my father. He said you are to receive only half now and half upon the notification not only of my safe delivery, but also my successful marriage.”

  She thrust it toward Delilah and the muffled clink of coins sounded within. Delilah took the small bag and hefted its considerable weight toward Sylvi who caught it midair with a deft snatch.

  “My father also has several requests he’d like known,” Lady Elizabeth said. “He does not want Laird MacKenzie to be aware of any of this.”

  Sylvi stepped toward the door. “We’ve already been informed of his wishes.”

  “He wants them reiterated regardless.” Lady Elizabeth’s voice took on a more authoritative tone. “He does not trust the Scottish, but does not want my marriage to be compromised. Laird MacKenzie is not to know of this.”

  Delilah’s stomach twisted for the woman. Clearly her father thought little of the man she intended to marry, but was still sending her. Not that Delilah’s own father would not have done likewise had she been fortunate enough to secure an advantageous marriage.

  Gilded though Lady Elizabeth’s life may be, her life was in a cage and she being passed from one jailor to another.

  All the refinement in the world was not worth such captivity.

  “Your final destination will be Killearnan,” Elizabeth continued. “If you are attacked, try to keep the assailant alive and bring him with you. However, do not do so quickly. I will need at least two and a half months to ensure my arrival and safe marriage to Laird MacKenzie before we can announce any traitors. Again, my father does not wish Laird MacKenzie to know we are doing this until after the marriage.”

  Of course. By then he couldn’t reject Lady Elizabeth in sheer spite for her father.

  Though Delilah had never met the man personally, she found him deplorable.

  Lady Elizabeth pursed her lips.

  “Is that all?” Sylvi asked in a stark tone.

  Lady Elizabeth’s chest swelled with a deep breath. “There’s one more thing. My father says…” Her proud demeanor faltered slightly. “He says to remind you the servants he sent to travel with you are…expendable.” The final word left her lips as though it were sour and her mouth remained puckered as if still tasting it.

  Sylvi snorted. “Of course.” Without another word, she turned from the room and left. Doubtless to go ensure Liv was fully prepared to assume the role as lady’s maid for Lady Elizabeth on her alternate route.

  Delilah shifted to follow Sylvi when Lady Elizabeth shot forward. Her small, delicate hand curled like a vise around Delilah’s arm.

  “I have another request,” Lady Elizabeth said in a breathy voice. “From me.”

  Her cheeks were bright and her dark gaze dropped to where she still gripped Delilah. She released the captive arm with a gasp.

  “I’m sorry,” she whispered and tried to smooth out the wrinkled silk with trembling fingers.

  Delilah lowered her arm and regarded the pleading stare of Lady Elizabeth. “Your request?”

  “I don’t agree with my father.” The words tumbled from her mouth in a frantic whisper. “Please try to ensure the people traveling with your coach remain unharmed, especially Leasa. She is—”

  “It’s time.” Sylvi’s voice broke into their quiet conversation.

  Delilah gave a single nod to Lady Elizabeth whose look of quiet relief warmed within her. It was good to protect a woman who cared for more than just herself, who thought of those below her.

  Within minutes, Lady Elizabeth was placed in her coach with Liv, one of the other spies in Sylvi’s retinue. Liv wore the simple gown of a lady’s maid and her gleaming copper hair was plaited into a smooth braid. Liv’s small gray cat, who she insisted on bringing wherever she went, lay curled contentedly in Lady Elizabeth’s lap.

  Lady Elizabeth would be safe.

  Delilah climbed into her own coach beside a woman with brown hair. The maid was comely enough save for an extraordinarily strong jaw, which made her appear more handsome than beautiful.

  A nervous smile flitted across the woman’s features. “I’m Leasa.”

  “And I’m Lady Elizabeth,” Delilah said gently. The less the maid knew of her, the better. She knew only that Lady Elizabeth traveled a different route. She knew not of Delilah’s skills or ultimate intentions.

  “Oh, yes, of course.” The maid’s gaze dropped away with a shy dip of her head.

  The small cabin smelled sweetly of fresh cut lumber with an acrid hint of lacquer. The coach had recently been constructed. No doubt for this purpose.

  Delilah settled herself on the velvet cushion and shifted in an effort to ease the squeezing tension of her over-laced bodice. While it may be beautiful, it would be uncomfortable for travel.

  Leasa pressed her lips together and turned toward the open window where the sun was beginning to break between the trees in a ball of golden light. Just beyond the forest, the curved stone wall was visible where it rose and fell with the swelling hills, like the limp body of a snake laid out over the lush land.

  Leasa’s shoulders shook slightly and she gave a wet snuffle.

  Expendable.

  The word echoed in Delilah’s mind.

  She knew how very painful being expendable could be.

  Without warning, the coach lurched forward. Delilah braced her feet against the narrow bench opposite her to keep from shooting forward while Leasa tucked herself deeper into the thin cushions. A whimpering sob emerged from her throat.

  Delilah slid her bodice dagger from where it had been sheathed flush against the busk of her bodice. The blade was narrow and sharp, as perfectly concealed as it was lethal. It was also one of the many Delilah had on her person, all courtesy of Percy who also created all the potions and ingenious accessories which kept Delilah and the other spies safe.

  Before she could allow herself to regret the action, she held the dagger toward Leas
a’s balled up fists.

  The maid turned a watery brown gaze on Delilah and sniffed. “What’s that for?”

  “You.” Delilah offered with a smile. “We’ll be fine.”

  While she couldn’t promise to care for the woman without going into detail, she could at least offer the comfort of reassurance and self-protection.

  A small smile crept over Leasa’s face and she accepted the dagger with the pinch of her fingers, holding it as though it were a thing which might bite.

  “Thank you.” She kept the blade held awkwardly in her lap, but the sobs ceased and the two fell into companionable silence.

  Delilah let her body rock in time with the coach and gazed out to where the forest sped by on the opposite side of the window. The long stone wall all but obscured by the close trees.

  Soon they would be in Scotland and then the real anticipation would begin.

  Would one of Laird MacKenzie’s enemies truly seek to harm them?

  Would they be simply attacked with the intent to murder or would they be held for ransom?

  What if the attackers attempted to rape them?

  Delilah threaded her hand into her pocket, past the large hole where it had never been sewn together, and to the dagger she had strapped to her thigh. She curled her fingers around the hilt for remind herself of its presence.

  There would be no murder and no rape. Not on her guard. And if someone tried to abduct them, they would find themselves in quite the opposite situation with her leading them captive to Inverness.

  They would be safe.

  All they had to do was wait.

  • • •

  Kaid MacLeod had been waiting for a moment of weakness. He’d been vigilant, unrelenting.

  And he’d been rewarded.

  Seumas MacKenzie had a weakness.

  The setting sun cast a red pallor on the mud-spattered road, turning puddles to blood – an omen for his terrible deed.

  Elizabeth Seymour was supposed to have been on this trail the previous day. Certainly there’d been enough talk near Kenmore about her impending visit these last several weeks. He’d have had to been deaf and blind to miss the rumors of the lady’s intended path of travel.

  Being so far from all the gossip now would allow him enough distance to take a different trail, to lose anyone following them and get her to Ardvreck Castle undetected.

  Only the coach was late.

  At the very latest, it should have graced the path by noon. But it was significantly past noon and still the coach had not shown despite the bout of good weather they’d had.

  His stomach tightened against the unease of her delay.

  “I dinna think she’s coming tonight.” Donnan appeared beside Kaid with a stealth most found unsettling. “But I’m sure she’ll be here tomorrow.” A wide, affable grin shone toward Kaid who was not in the mood to return the smile.

  Donnan rubbed a hand over the back of his neck and gave an exaggerated grimace. “This business of kidnapping lasses—it’s no’ sitting with me verra well.”

  Kaid let his gaze wander back to the stillness of the puddles. “If I have to choose between seeing more of our clan being slaughtered or kidnapping an English noble’s brat, I’ll take my chances with the brat.”

  A hollow clattering sounded in the distance. Kaid’s body went taut with anticipation. His fist curled around the hilt of his blade until the fine leather wrapping burned against his palm.

  But though his body was still, his heart galloped into a frenzy, his blood scrambling through his veins.

  “We’ll no’ hurt her.” Though he’d said it as a statement, Kaid knew Donnan was asking for confirmation.

  The world was beginning to sway around Kaid, and the request rankled through him. “MacKenzie’s men killed our children and raped our women and ye’re worried about a single lass?” he gritted out and slid a hard look toward Donnan.

  He forced his gaze forward once more and stared, focusing on the puddles.

  Not a good idea, not when they looked so much like blood.

  Sweat prickled at his brow and palms.

  No. Not now.

  “We’re no’ MacKenzie.” Donnan’s voice sounded distant. “And with all the coin spent around the last few villages in preparation for Lady Elizabeth’s arrival, she’s obviously loved.”

  Kaid’s throat had pinched tight and his breath became so difficult to draw, his lips had begun to tingle. “She’s obviously well valued,” Kaid corrected between a thin breath. “There’s a difference.”

  Though he couldn’t see the coach yet, its rattling became easy to discern. Donnan straightened and drew his sword at Kaid’s side.

  With a quick nod, Donnan darted across the narrow path and disappeared into the forest on the opposite side.

  The hollow wooden clattering grew louder, closer. Close enough for Kaid to make out the sucking steps of the horses.

  Images flashed in his head in rapid succession, mingling with the white spots dancing in his vision.

  His people lying dead in the mud, eyes staring at nothing, blood covering their bodies, the ground, their faces.

  His hands.

  Kaid’s mouth filled with saliva and the world spun around him.

  Blood everywhere.

  Not now.

  He clenched his teeth and blinked as hard as his lids would allow.

  He was stronger than this, damn it.

  This woman was MacKenzie’s only weakness, the one chink in his armor—the only way to defeat him without sacrificing more MacLeod lives.

  Kaid let the air hiss through his teeth, shoved out with the force of his raw determination.

  Bold yellow livery showed like a challenge through the layer of leaves between them.

  He focused on them until his vision cleared enough to count.

  Six. There were six of them. He needed them out of the way so he could get to her.

  This woman wasn’t just MacKenzie’s betrothed, nor was she the bartering tool to garner some kind of peace from MacKenzie. She was quite possibly the one thing he needed to get back into his clan’s good graces, to be accepted back into the fold. To have a sense of belonging once more.

  Kaid’s footing was sure against the wet forest floor and for that he was grateful. The weakness had passed.

  He let the heavy coach jostle past them before he leapt from the bush and caught the rear soldier by the throat while Donnan tackled the one on the left. Both were knocked unconscious before they hit the ground. The two guards heading the front of the coach wheeled around to face them and charged.

  The powerful chest of the guard’s brown horse blocked Kaid’s view, but he did not move from his position. Not until Donnan had taken on one man, leaving only one remaining.

  Kaid waited for the last possible second before he swung to the side and propelled his weight from a tree root. The guard tried to twist around, but Kaid was faster. He locked his arm around the man’s neck and pulled. His body tensed with a resistance, but it did not last beneath the pressure Kaid applied to his throat.

  The man’s horse continued forward into the depths of the forest. With any luck, villagers would stumble upon the treasure and put the beast to good use.

  Kaid eased the man to the muddy floor and pulled out the length of rope from his waist to bind their captives by their ankles and wrists, secure enough to keep them from escaping. A quick glance over Kaid’s shoulder confirmed Donnan did likewise.

  Not that Kaid was against killing, but the guards were merely doing a job. Unlike the thieves they usually hunted.

  He left Donnan to complete the task of binding the guards together and approached the stationary coach. The coachman sat in the hard wood seat and stared up at him with wide eyes. A man not even worth the fight.

  Kaid nodded toward Donnan. “Have him tie ye up and ye’ll stay safe. Try to run and we’ll kill ye.”

  The man nodded and slid from the coach, obediently making his way toward Donnan.

  A woman’s hi
gh pitch whisper sounded from inside the coach. “Are they going to kill us?”

  Kaid’s gut gave an uneasy wrench. He didn’t like this business of kidnapping women either, but he had little choice. MacKenzie needed to be stopped and if this were the only way, so be it. Besides, he had no intention to see anyone injured.

  A quick glance over his shoulder confirmed the coachman had listened to instruction and was allowing himself to be tied. Kaid took a deep breath and stalked toward the coach, hand on his blade in case a guard had been stationed within. A sob sounded from the coach and Donnan frowned from where he knelt beside the man he was tying up.

  Donnan had been instructed to knot the rope loose enough for the men to eventually wriggle free. The location Kaid had chosen was at least a two days’ walk on foot to the next village. Plenty of time for them to disappear and have no one on their tail seeking them out.

  He grasped the flimsy handle of the coach door and pulled. It opened at the slightest pressure and a scream pierced the small space, pulling his attention to the brunette who stared at him in horror. She glanced quickly to the woman who sat opposite her before turning to him once more. Her mouth fell open so wide, her back teeth were visible and she let loose another shriek.

  The blonde woman stared at him with wide, brown eyes. While her face remained smooth, her body was pressed hard against the noble velvet cushion she sat upon.

  This…this was the woman he sought. The one who would be his leverage on MacKenzie.

  The key to his clan’s freedom.

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