Page 13 of Laird of Smoke
His skin stung where she’d ripped the beard away.And now she knew his secret.
But how had she recognized him?His disguises were unparalleled.He’d never been unmasked before.Never.Not even by his own kin.
“How did you…?”he began.But he remembered he had a more pressing matter to address.“You’re that archer.”
Her face betrayed no emotion.“Archer?What archer?”
He narrowed his eyes, searching hers for a glimmer of deception.There was none.
Was he wrong?Did she only look similar to the archer?The archer had been from Rouen.This lass had a distinctly Irish lilt to her voice.
Then he remembered.“And the nun.”
She held his gaze.“Me?A nun?Ye must have me confused with someone else.”
Adam frowned.He could usually tell when a woman was telling a lie.They glanced away.Or licked their lips.Or fussed with their sleeve.
This woman did nothing.She looked at him directly, without artifice, as if she were telling him God’s truth.
“So ye didn’t win second place in the archery contest?”he asked, crossing his arms in challenge.“And ye weren’t at Perth durin’ the siege?”
“I don’t know what ye’re talkin’ about.”
She seemed sincere.She hadn’t even lowered her gaze.
It was true, now that he thought about it, the nun had been much plainer than this elegant noblewoman.
And no archer lad could look so beautiful.The king, at least, had believed he was a lad.
Why then was Adam’s memory insisting they were all the same person?Were his powers of observation dwindling?
“But what about ye?”she challenged, holding up his fake beard between a thumb and finger.“Can ye explain this?”
He held out his hand.She dropped the beard into his palm.
To his chagrin, lies always came readily to mind.“Verily, I was hired by the king to follow ye.”
“Follow me?Why?”
“He was concerned for your safety.”
“The king?Concerned forme?”A furrow creased her brow.Apparently, the woman didn’t believe that.Perhaps she had a strained relationship with the king.
He continued.“Aye.King Malcolm posted us at the gate with instructions to see any unaccompanied ladies to their destination.”
“Is that so?”The subtle arch in her brow indicated her skepticism.“Then why the disguise?Why not send a knight in full battle dress bearin’ the king’s arms?”
Thatdidmake more sense.Damn, the lady was clever.He liked that.Even if it made his deception more challenging.
“’Tis less threatenin’.”He shrugged.“And most people don’t even notice old crippled beggars.They’re—”
“Invisible.”
“Right.”
“ButIsaw ye.”
“Aye, ye did.”That was remarkable.He’d grown so accustomed to disappearing into the shadows, melting into the crowd, moving unseen through the world, it was strange to be noticed.
