Page 32 of Laird of Smoke
The prior read the next message.“HE…RAN…AWAY.So ye lost him?”
Who the Devil was pretending to be his brother?Was it one of his cousins?He tried to turn his head, but the guards still held him fast.
“Ah,” the prior said with a sigh.“I see.MAD.So your brother is feeble o’ mind?”
Adam felt the gears in his brain shift.He didn’t know who this savior posing as his brother was, but that was a brilliant ploy.If Adam feigned to be mad, he naturally couldn’t be held responsible for his actions.
All he had to do was act mad.
He let out a wordless bark, pleased when his captors jerked in surprise.Then he began humming to himself.
“Is that why ye’re makin’ a pilgrimage to Saint Andrews?To pray for healin’?”the prior asked.After a pause, he said, “I see.”Then he cleared his throat and announced, “Very well.In light o’ these new circumstances, I shall forego the man’s penance.’Tis clear he’s sufferin’ enough.Instead, let this be an example o’ God’s mercy.And we shall pray for his lost soul.”
The guards released him then and draped the cassock back over his shoulders.
Careful to keep his eyes slightly unfocused as if he were dimwitted, he scanned the crowd until he saw the monk with the tablet.His alleged “brother.”
His eyes went wide with recognition.But he said nothing.He didn’t want to endanger them both.
Whatever he did next, he had to do it quickly.The “pilgrim” was obviously a beautiful woman under that filthy beard.She’d be discovered any moment.
Quickly he cried, “Bruh!”careening toward the pilgrim.“Bruh!”
He wrapped her in a smothering embrace, hoping to keep her face hidden as they staggered toward the door.
She couldn’t reprimand him verbally.She was supposed to be under a vow of silence.But she fought against his grip as they exited the chapter house and started across the cloister.
Finally breaking free, she muttered, “Your satchel?”
“In the woods.”
She nodded in approval, and they strode toward the gates.Arm in arm.Like brothers.
The silent walk back to the woods gave Adam time to consider what had just happened.
His emotions were as varied and volatile as a spring storm.He was terrified on her behalf.Grateful for her rescue.Irritated that she’d abandoned him.Awed that she’d carried off such a complex disguise.
The woman was daft.And yet she was marvelous.Inspired.Ingenious.Daring.
Once they reached the cover of the forest, he stopped and turned her toward him.Bracing his hands on her shoulders, he grinned at her horrible costume and gazed into her sparkling eyes.
“I didn’t think ye meant to come back.”
She furrowed her brows.“How could I not?”
His heart swelled.“That was brilliant.I don’t know how ye managed it.But ye’re a godsend.”
“And ye,” she gushed.“Ye were quick to join the ruse.Ye sounded so moonsick, I almost believed ye.”
“Maybe Iammoonsick.”
Then he pulled her forward and kissed her soundly on the mouth, beard and all.
He expected, after an instant of shock, she might share in his relief and return the kiss with equal enthusiasm.
She did not.
But Adam was no fool.He was not a seducer of unwilling maids.So he ended the kiss, searching her eyes with a frown of concern.
