Reckoning (Book 4 of Lost Highlander series) by Cassidy Cayman

surprisingly good natured through all this. He saw her sending soulful looks to Pietro, who’d been given a post as a groom in the stables and had to sit on the lower level of the dining hall.
    Pietro was being as good a sport as he could, what with his true love having to sleep with another man every night. Not that she slept much. Lachlan had set up a pallet for himself on the floor, as far from the bed as he could get it, and she cried a good deal of each night, calling out Pietro’s name when she did fall asleep.
    She insisted on a daily ride for exercise, and made the new groom accompany her so she could at least get an hour or two with him every day. It wasn’t ideal and Lachlan was terrified they would get caught doing something indiscreet, but he couldn’t begrudge her.
    “Well, when ye’re dead, I shall say I told ye so,” she said tartly, staring down at Pietro and taking a bite of bread.
    “Ye would be better off if I was dead.”
    “Och, dinna be a fool,” she replied, but her voice sounded strained now, not the usual teasing tone she took with him to try to get him out of his dark moods.
    He turned to see her clutch her stomach and lean into the table, her face growing pale. He grabbed her wrist. “Good God, lass, have they really poisoned ye?” He stood to find the physician, and she pushed him back into his seat.
    “No,” she said, straightening. The color returned slowly to her cheeks, but she had a thin film of sweat on her brow. “I’ve been feeling a bit off the last few days is all. I’ll be fine in a bit.” He patted her shoulder and watched her tear up, knowing she wished it was Pietro consoling her.
    “I shall ride after the meal,” he announced loudly, feeling foolish as many eyes turned to him. “Will ye join me, wife?” She furrowed her brow in confusion and he refrained from rolling his eyes, but just barely. “Connor, ready our horses,” he boomed, then floundered for an excuse to bring him along. For whatever reason, Bella had gotten under his skin. He felt sorry for her and wanted a chance to put a smile on her face. “Ye shall accompany us in case my lady wants to pick some flowers.”
    He closed his eyes when he heard Quinn snort at the end of the table. He turned to Bella expectantly.
    She realized what he was doing and smiled at him gratefully. “I’d love to ride, milaird. And the groom should bring several baskets. Our chamber could use some flowers.” She looked down at Pietro, who was already scurrying off to do his bidding, and the look on her face made Lachlan’s heart sink. Only a blind man wouldn’t be able to see who it was that she loved.
    They rode out innocently enough, Lachlan and Bella in the lead with Pietro trailing behind them, laden down with baskets and a put upon expression on his face. As they rode out of the yard, Lachlan made a point to lean over and catch Bella’s hand in his. He couldn’t believe his fears were completely paranoid. He knew at least some of the suspicious side glances they got were real.
    When they were well enough into the woods, he fell back so Pietro could take his place by Bella, but instead he rode beside him and peppered him with questions.
    What were they going to do? When were they leaving? What in the hell had happened and why was everything so terrible? It was the same thing he got every day from Quinn or one of his men.
    He asked the same questions of Gordon, whenever he could corner the man alone, which was rare. The mastermind of the plan never had any answers, so neither did Lachlan. He shooed Pietro away with an irritated flick of his hand.
    “Spend some time with your woman while ye have the chance,” he said gruffly, kicking his horse into a trot to get away from them.
    He wanted to stew alone, get a few moments of silence, try and hear Piper’s voice in his memory. At a rocky outcropping far enough from the lovebirds that he could keep an eye on them but not have to listen to their inane chatter, he