Page 37 of Sins of a Scot
“I ken,” he said, talking to himself. “I just didnae think. I saw what he did, and I acted.”
In hindsight, more Iseabail’s than his own, Owen had realized his mistake, even if it was begrudgingly. Knowing he was in the wrong had not suddenly rid his body of the anger he felt at her onslaught, however, and still nearly shaking with frustration, he continued to pace back and forth.
“I did it fer her. And dae I get any thanks? Nay. O’ course, nae. She’s too busy pulling me apart. How wonderful it must be tae be so bloody perfect. I’ll bet she’s made plenty o’ mistakes in her life too.”
Now ye’re just being sour.
Of course, he was. But then, he had every right. If she was mad at him, she could have made her point somewhere else. Not in front of every person walking back into the tavern, laughing at him, and making him look like he was a hen-pecked husband.
Only moments before, he had been the victor, but she had swiped that away from him and instead, made him look like an idiot. Besides, he wasn’t just angry at her. He was angry at himself for being so careless. She was right, he had brought theattention of the entire tavern on them, and nor was she wrong about the danger they might be in. He was better than that. He wasn’t known as the best scout in the Sinclair clan for no reason at all.
Ye let yer heart rule yer head.
Owen shook his head at that thought, but it still remained, and for a moment, he had no choice but to consider it because, it was, indeed, yet another truth. He had been jealous when the man had laid his hands on Iseabail. His reaction had been motivated by pure green envy.
And perhaps, a little showy display fer her too.
“Which clearly worked wonders,” he spat sarcastically.
After a little more time, he headed for the door. Iseabail had not returned to the room, and the idea of her being down there alone began to make him uncomfortable, especially given the fact that it was he, who had now made her a target with his antics.
He found Iseabail tucked away in a corner sitting at a table alone. Upon approach, she raised her eyes to look at him, and then quickly looked away.
“I’ll get us a drink,” he said, trying to offer some sort of olive branch, even though he remained a little frustrated. There was no point in them sitting there in silence. At least with a drink in hand, he would have something to do.
When he had battled through the crowd and returned to the table with their tankards, Iseabail seemed preoccupied with looking about her.
“Have ye lost something?” he asked, placing the tankards on the table.
“There was an old woman here nae long ago. But now, she’s away.
“Perhaps it’s past her bedtime,” Owen murmured.
“Nae. Ye dinnae understand. She was telling me about the crystal.”
Owen raised his eyebrows, now more interested. “And?”
“She said she didnae ken where it was, but that it was sought after by many. She also told me that I wasnae tae touch it. That it would be fatal fer me if I did.”
Owen took a moment to let that information sink in. How had the old woman known that they were looking for the crystal? He hadn’t spoken to any woman, and he doubted Iseabail would have either, given the fact that they had been looking for a man. It seemed a little suspicious.
Owen frowned. “Did ye ask her about it first?”
“That’s just it. I was sitting here minding me own business when she began talking tae me. In fact, when I first sat down, I didnae even see her, which I thought was a little strange.”
“She just arrived out o’ the blue?” Owen looked even more wary.
“Aye. But it’s nae as simple as that. The woman has powers and read me mind.”
Owen tried to hide his doubt. “Are ye sure it wasnae the other way around? Maybe it was she who was trying tae get information out o’ ye.”
“I’m nae a fool, Owen. I ken what I heard. Besides, it was she who did all the talking. She gave all the information tae me.”
“Then perhaps we should try and find this woman.”
But Iseabail shook her head. “I dinnae think she can help us anymore than she did. She was clear when she said she couldnae tell me where it was. Perhaps it is time we tried tae look again fer this trader.”
“Aye, perhaps, but nae tonight. I dinnae ken about ye, but I havenae seen anyone fitting the man’s description. A man with a brown hat and a feather isnae hard tae miss.”
