Highland Deception (Highland Pride) by Lori Ann Bailey Page A

about her, so she considered what she could say without confessing too much. Giving up the pretense that she couldn’t remember who she was, she eyed Alan. “I willnae tell ye of my clan. But if ye must ken, I am Catholic.” She squared her shoulders, and his features lightened.
    “’Tis enough for now. He’ll no’ send ye away.” Alan smiled and nodded toward Lachlan, who strode back into their midst. “So ye best decide if ye want his attentions. He’s already decided he wants ye, even if he won’t admit it.”
    Lachlan motioned, and Alan left her side. She turned her back to think about what she should do next—stay with these men or sneak out and continue on her own. Then she remembered she was free of her betrothal, and soon she would be done with all the politics. Although Lachlan and his men regarded her with wariness, they were her best chance to reach the north safely and stay out of Conall’s grasp. Before long, she would be ensconced in a colony of women who wouldn’t care about her family’s allegiances. Really, it didn’t matter what these men thought of her, because she would be where no one could use her—unless she stumbled and told them her father was the Duke of Kirk.
    As a Royalist, Lachlan would approve of her marriage to Conall, who was the Earl of Lundin’s son and would someday be the governor of Edinburgh. He would want to keep the Royalists in power there. Her heart sank. If he knew whom she was betrothed to, there would be no hope—Lachlan would treat her just like her father had and turn her over to that monster.
    If Lachlan was prepared to go to battle for the Royalist cause, he wouldn’t hesitate to hand a stranger over to someone who fought for the same side. It had just become even more important she keep her identity secret.
    …
    Lachlan walked into the clearing to Alan’s laughter as he stood near Maggie at the edge of their camp. His shoulders tensed at his friend’s close proximity until he noticed how Maggie watched the man dully, her eyes solemn and troubled. Her pale skin had turned a light gray, and her distressed state made him forget his plans to ignore her. What the devil had he told her? She looked away and refused to meet his eyes.
    Lachlan pointed to Alan and crooked his finger in command.
    “Excuse me, Maggie,” Alan said, loud enough for Lachlan to overhear as he gave her a mischievous grin. Lachlan didn’t miss the wink Alan shot her way as his friend strutted toward him.
    “What did ye say? She doesnae look pleased.” Irritation rumbled through him.
    “I told her that ye despised beautiful women. She seemed disappointed. I think she wants ye. I told her not to expect anything from ye.” The smirk on his face said he was stifling another laugh.
    “Were ye trying to do me favors? Because if I wanted to bed her, she probably willnae want me now.” He’d not thought about her rejecting him and pushed the unpleasant idea from his mind.
    “Nae, she wants ye. She just doesnae seek a broken heart. I warned her to guard it. What she does with the information is up to her.” Alan patted Lachlan on the back.
    He didn’t want to analyze why his friend’s words bothered him. They talked about wenches all the time, but something was different. He was compelled by an odd need to protect Maggie from anything, or anyone, that would hurt her. Mayhap it was because he’d caused her enough pain already.
    Lachlan growled at Alan, then glanced over to the lovely nymph. He had carefully crafted secure walls to keep himself guarded, but he feared somewhere down deep she might be the one to break through those walls and lure him into more than casual bedsport. “We dinnae even ken who she is.”
    “Does it matter?” Alan asked.
    “Aye. She’s educated. I dinnae think she’s a simple farmer’s daughter. If being with her brings war with another clan, ’tis no’ worth it.” Lachlan kept his eyes locked on the woman in question. With her back to him, his eyes