Page 87 of Stealing Sophie

“I was never sure what the plan was.” She smiled and gave a teary little hiccup.

“It was only meant to help you. But I was wrong. It was meant to do far more.”

“If only I could wave this crystal,” she said, “and get my brother back. And I would get Kinnoull lands back for you.”

He nodded, watching her. “Would that you could.”

“This little gift with flowers is all I have, and it cannot help us otherwise. Though it is a little power of love, I think, all the same. Love for the plants brings them health. Love for this place,” she said, waving a hand, “and for its laird—that brings better things too.”

“Is it so?” he murmured.

She nodded. Her eyes brightened. That beautiful, impish smile bloomed just for him then. His heart warmed. “But true love, as you say, is a rare thing indeed.”

“It is,” he murmured, though he felt enchanted, standing here in the twilight with her. He wanted to kiss her, say what rose from his heart to his lips. Yet he bit back the words. “So I hear.”

“It does exist,” she said. “I know it does.”

“Of course.” He felt it envelop him again, spread outward. He had nothing to offer her, yet he knew love had found him anyway, without waiting until he was prepared.

“I would do anything for my true love, Connor MacPherson,” she said quietly. “Anything. And I would not need a fairy gift to help me act on it. Good night, sir.”She moved past him. “We should sleep alone tonight. We have much to think about, you and I. Things to say, or not to say.”

He watched in silence as she left the garden and crossed the yard. The rising moonlight touched her, set a glow all about her. And flowers that had not been there even a day before brushed at the hem of her gown as she passed.

Watching her, Connor felt his heart dance a little, change.

“Sophie.”

At the kitchen door, about to enter, she turned to see Connor standing in the yard behind her. “Aye?”

“Get your cloak and come with me,” he said.

“Where?” she asked, puzzled.

He whistled softly, and Sophie heard a gruff bark as Tam, the spaniel, left his post by the kitchen hearth and pushed past her to trot toward Connor. A moment later, Una and Scota followed out of the kitchen shadows to stand with Connor and Tam.

“Come with us,” Connor said. “We will wait while you fetch your cloak.”

She had left it on a hook, drying from earlier rains. Fetching it, she returned to the yard, wondering what he could want.

“Come.” He took her hand and led her across the yard, around the massive tower keep, toward the front gate. Without comment, he lifted the bolt and shoved open the creaking gate, standing back in invitation.

She nearly laughed. “What is this? Are you sending me away? Shall I leave?”

“I am taking you out for a bit of adventure. You need a little freedom, I think, having been kept here too long.” In the moonlight, she saw his eyes twinkling, his smile quirked and crooked. He whistled to the dogs, and they leaped through the portal to run out to the meadow that fronted the castle. As Connor ushered Sophie outside, she stopped, looking back at him.

“I am not going,” she said stubbornly. “I am not leaving.”

“Aye so?” He tipped his head, waited.

“I have had enough adventuring for a while, I think. And if you mean to go chasing caterans or spying on soldiers this night, best you do so without me.”

“It is not so far. Just there.” He indicated the hills that rose beside the castle.

“What is there?” she asked.

“Stars overhead. Mountain air, sweet winds. You need to get out, Sophie lass. You have been confined too long, and it is my fault. It is beautiful, high up. I want to show you. But you must promise to stay with me, aye?”

“Well,” she said. “Well, then.” She was beginning to think she would go with him anywhere. Falling easily into step beside him, she watched the dogs run ahead.