Page 51

While the Sassenach sat, she did not remove her cloak. She did hold her hands out towards the crackling flames though. Alisdair stood before the fire, feeling the heat warming his skin, while at the same time, wondering what her story was.

Several minutes later, the innkeeper returned with a tray. On it were three bowls of stew and a basket of bread.

“Would ye mind if I joined ye? I’ve been so busy this evening, I’m yet tae get my own supper.”

Alisdair glanced at the woman, who remained silent. “O’ course,” he said. “I didnae catch yer name?”

“James. James Byrnes,” the man said while placing each bowl onto the table.

The three sat together, but while the men dug into their steaming hot stew, Alisdair’s new companion still trembled. She was trying to hide it, but failing miserably.

“Are ye nae hungry?” James said, pushing the bowl nearer to her.

Even as she was so troubled, she sat with her back perfectly straight and her chin elevated.

“I am just a little tired. But thank you very much for the meal. You are very kind.”

Heads turned at her refined manners and speech, something that did not surprise Alisdair at all. There would be few like her that passed through that way. She stuck out like a sore thumb.

“It’s all right, me dear,” Alisdair said, aware that he needed to put the other patrons at ease, and having to think quickly. “Ye’ll feel much better when we’re rested.”

“Ye’re husband and wife then?” James smiled.

Without a second’s hesitation, Alisdair nodded. “Indeed, we are. We have travelled many miles, and I’m afraid me wife is simply exhausted.”

It was a blatant lie, a lie that caused the woman’s eyebrows to hitch swiftly. But Alisdair needed to pacify the innkeeper. He didn’t want to risk being asked more questions, especially about his name or position.

While James nodded and gazed down to fish out a large piece of meat from his bowl, the woman gawked at Alisdair, her eyes as wide as saucers. In turn, he raised a single eyebrow in reply. She was clearly out of her depth and horrified by his words, but she played along, if somewhat stiffly.

“Yes. Yes,” she said forcefully. “I am certain a good night’s rest will do us both the world of good, will it not… darling ?”

Continuing to eat, Alisdair nodded and tried to hide a smile. While her words amused him, he was relieved that she was playing along, even if she didn’t realize why she had to do so.

“Well, ye dae mak’ a fine pair,” James said, swallowing his food.

Alisdair had to bite his lip to stop himself from laughing, for the woman’s eyes flew wider than he thought possible. At the same time, she sucked in a breath so swiftly, she began to choke.

Coughing and spluttering, her face reddened as she struggled to breathe.

“Och, me goodness,” the inn keeper exclaimed.

While at first amused, Alisdair leaned towards her and began patting her back, worried.

“Are ye all right?” he frowned.

Even as she coughed, she turned from him, clearly not wanting his touch, and yet, it was evident she needed it.

“I’m…” she spluttered a little more. “I’m fine,” she rasped, gasping for air.

“Ye dinnae look fine,” Alisdair replied.

But as she slowly recovered, she managed to throw him a scowl, as though her predicament and discomfort had been his doing. It took another minute, but eventually, she settled. Only then did she lift the cup of ale before her and take a small sip.

When Alisdair was satisfied that she really was fine, he turned back to the inn keeper.

To keep the conversation off himself, he asked the man questions about running the inn, and how he found living in the village.

The discussion was light and superficial, which was exactly what Alisdair was aiming for until he could finish his meal.

When he did, he let out a satisfied sigh.

“Please dae send me compliments tae yer wife, she is a fine cook.”

James’s face lit up with delight. “Thank ye, sir. She will be so pleased tae hear that.”

“However, I think it is time we retired, dinnae ye, me dear?” he said, standing from the table and offering a handout to his newly acquired pretend wife.

“Yes. Yes, of course. Thank you for your hospitality,” she said to James, her voice now soft and kind.

“Was me pleasure,” James replied, standing as the two moved from the table. “Good night, and I look forward tae seeing ye both on the morrow.”

They bid the innkeeper goodnight, and then Alisdair led the woman to the stairs.

In a moment of thoughtfulness, he paused for a second.

“Wait here. I’ll be right back.”

The Sassenach nodded and did as he bid. Only then, did Alisdair turn back into the main room of the inn. James was still clearing the table as Alisdair approached.

“I wonder if ye have any wee sweetcakes that we could tak’ up with us,” he said.

The inn keeper smiled and nodded. “Aye, o’ course. Give me a minute, and I’ll fetch them fer ye.”

In no time at all, James returned.

“Here,” he said, handing him a couple of small cakes wrapped in cheesecloth.

“Thank ye, James. Ye are a good man.”

Returning to where he had left her, he then took the Sassenach’s hand and led her upstairs to their room.

Once inside, however, the mood shifted. The fire was nowhere near as large and warm as the one they had left, and thus, the chamber was cold and uninviting.

As well as that, it was evident the woman was clearly terrified, for she skirted around the edge of the room, trying to keep as much distance between her and Alisdair as possible.

Reaching the bed, she lowered herself down onto the worn coverlets, wrapping her arms around herself in some sort of comforting posture.

Alisdair watched her in silence for a moment. Admittedly, he wasn’t overly enamored with the circumstances either, but fate had brought them to this point, and there was little either of them could do but endure it.

He moved towards her and held out his hand. “Here,” he said, giving her the sweetcakes.

Her eyes widened as she took them, and then she looked up at him.

He shrugged. “Well, ye havenae eaten.”

Her gaze softened then, and the slightest smile garnered her perfect lips. “Thank you.”

“Ye’re welcome.”

While she hadn’t eaten the stew, he was hopeful that she wouldn’t refuse something sweet.

She had to eat. If nothing else, it would help with the shock of what she had suffered earlier.

Seeing her face soften, he was now glad the idea had come to him, and for a moment, they shared a long gaze.

She really was a stunningly beautiful woman.

But realizing he was staring; he shook himself and turned away.

Moving over to the hearth, he gazed down at the pitiful fire. They needed more heat, and thus, grabbing a couple of small logs from the bucket, he threw them in, causing the fire to crackle loudly.

When he turned again, he was pleased to see her nibbling at the cakes.

Good. Ye need tae eat, little one.

He watched her for a little while, waiting until she was finished eating. Only then, did he proceed with trying to discover what he desired to know about her.

“So, who are ye? What’s yer name? Where are ye from?”

With her head turned away, she didn’t answer. In fact, she didn’t move at all. But Alisdair was not letting her off that lightly.

“Those men were after ye fer a reason.”

Taking a deep breath in, she let out a long sigh. “It is better if you do not know.”

“Why?”

“It just is.”

“That isnae good enough. I ken ye want me tae let ye go, but I cannae dae that. I cannae let ye leave. Nae until ye tell me why those men were after ye. Fer yer own safety and mine, I need tae ken why they were so desperate tae grab ye.”

Still, she remained silent.

“One o’ them said that they had tae tak’ ye or they would die. Who is it that is going tae kill them if they dinnae have ye?”

The woman sighed again and then turned to look at him.

“I need to sleep. I’m exhausted.”

“As am I, but nae until ye tell me what I want tae ken.”

For a long moment, she held his gaze, clearly trying to figure out what she was going to decide. In the end, she nodded.

“Fine.”