Page 7 of Promised to the Ruthless Laird
Finley studied her for a moment. “Nae all marriages are like that, ye ken. Anyhow, it is just an idea, but it’d keep the gossip at bay.” His eyes glinted with humor as he rolled onto his back, stretching out slightly. “Once me sister is back, I’ll be gettin’ meself a proper wife. Someone who can help me run the clan. A good, proper woman.”
Edin chuckled, but the sound was bitter. “Aye, good luck with that, Finley. I’m sure that’ll go exactly as ye plan.”
He laughed, the sound light and genuine. “I’ll take that as encouragement, Edin. Thank ye.”
The conversation slowed, their banter winding down as both of them settled into comfortable silence. Slowly, they drifted toward sleep.
CHAPTER FOUR
The faint light of dawn crept through the thin curtains, casting a soft, pale glow across the room as Edin slowly stirred from her slumber. The fire on the hearth now flickered feebly, as if reluctant to burn any longer. Edin stretched, her body stiff from the uncomfortable bed, and glanced around the small room. Finley was already awake, his back to her as he stood at the window, his sharp green eyes scanning the empty street below.
He must’ve sensed her movement, for he turned with a swift, almost predatory grace. His gaze met hers, steady and calculating. Edin noticed that the flicker of amusement and irritation that had danced in his eyes the night before was gone now, replaced with a look of quiet determination..
“Ye ready, then?” she asked, her voice cutting through the silence like a knife. She wanted to sound brisk, decisive, but even she couldn’t hide the faint edge of reluctance that tugged at her words.
“Aye, I am,” Finley replied, his voice low and steady. “But I’d rather ken what we’re about tae dae, Edin.”
Edin didn’t answer immediately, only grabbed her coat from the back of the chair and wrapped it around her shoulders with a swift motion. She fastened the buttons, tugging them tight to ward off the lingering cold. “Ye’ll find out soon enough,” she said. “Now, let’s get movin’. There’s nay time tae waste.”
They made their way down the narrow stairs to the inn’s common room, where the smell of cooked meat and warm bread lingered in the air, teasing their senses. The room was quiet at this early hour, save for the faint crackling of the fire and the soft murmur of the innkeeper and the help preparing for the day. Finley’s sharp eyes swept over the room before he turned to Edin with a raised eyebrow.
“So, nay breakfast, then?” he asked. “Ye’ve got nay time fer a warm meal?”
Edin turned to face him with a cool glance. “I’m sorry, Finley,” she said dryly, her words sharp. “Would ye like tae attend a ball while we’re at it? Perhaps some tea and biscuits as well?”
Finley chuckled at her tone, but didn’t press the matter. Edin reached out, grabbing his arm and pulling him toward the door with surprising strength.
“Come on,” she muttered, her voice low. “We’ve got places tae be.”
They stepped outside into the crisp morning air, the fog still thick in the distance, though the light was slowly creeping through. Finley scanned the horizon with a quick glance. He took in the silence for a moment before his eyes turned back to Edin.
“Dae ye have a horse?” he asked, his brow furrowing slightly.
Edin stopped in her tracks and turned to face him, surprised.
How clueless can he be?
“We willnae need horses where we’re goin’,” she said, her voice firm. “If ye have one, ye’d best make arrangements tae leave it somewhere safe fer the time bein’.”
Finley blinked at her, confusion flashing across his features. He took a step back, narrowing his eyes. “What dae ye mean? How are we goin’ tae move without horses?”
How had the Triad allowed him tae join her on this mission?
“Ye’ve nae done a good job of stayin’ quiet on yer journey tae Kilmaroy,” Edin pointed out. “It’s already obvious ye’re on the move.”
Finley’s face twisted with a mixture of disbelief and concern. “What are ye sayin’, Edin? What’s that got tae dae with anything?”
“I’ve made… other arrangements.” Edin replied, stepping directly in front of him, blocking his view of the street. She let her words sink in.
Finley’s brows shot up, his mouth opening in surprise. “What other arrangements?” he asked, his voice edging into disbelief.
Edin didn’t immediately answer, instead glancing over her shoulder to make sure no one was nearby to overhear. She lowered her voice to a near whisper. “We’ll need tae take a detour,” she explained, her tone quiet but firm. “As much as I’d like tae head straight tae the Highlands, ye’ve already made it far too obvious that ye’re on the move. If anyone’s been followin’ ye, rest assured, they’ll certainly catch up with us once we’re on horseback.”
Finley’s expression darkened. “So, what are ye suggestin’, then? We just leave the horses behind?”
Edin glanced at him, her eyes steady. “Aye. Fer now, we leave them behind.” She glanced down the road once more, her mind turning over the details of the plan. “I’ve made sure our route is more… discreet. If we’re too loud, too easy tae track, we’ll never make it tae the Highlands without bein’ followed.”
Finley was silent for a long moment, his jaw clenching as he weighed her words. “And where, exactly, are we goin’, then?” he asked, the edge of frustration still present in his voice. “I’m nae keen on wanderin’ around aimlessly. We’ve nay time tae waste.”
