Page 49 of Laird of Smoke
He should have been.The woman had a way of burrowing into him like a tick and sucking out the truth.
She already knew his real first name.She knew of the Rivenlochs.He’d been a whisper away from telling her about his real brothers and sisters.He’d shared some of his real exploits, divulging some of the characters he’d played.He didn’t dare expose any more of his secrets.Some of his work was on behalf of some very important people.
“I’m not at liberty to say,” he told her.
She emitted a frustrated sigh.
“What about ye?”he asked.“What were ye doin’ at Perth that day?”
She was saved from having to answer him when they spotted two travelers approaching on horseback.
He fell silent as well.
In their profession, minimizing interactions was always best.The less memorable they could be, the better.
But as the horsemen neared, he studied their appearance with a critical eye.
The men were well-dressed.Their clothing was made of high-quality wool, beautifully dyed and trimmed.But it was stained and ill-fitting.
The horses too were decent rounceys.But they looked as if they hadn’t been groomed in weeks.
“Outlaws,” Aillenn whispered.
Exactly what he’d thought.He was impressed she’d figured that out as well.
“Or scouts,” he whispered back.“Stay close.”
If they rode past, they might be spotters who ranged the woods, eyeing prospects for robbery.In that case, their cohorts were likely hiding in the trees, waiting for a signal.
He guided Aillenn to the side of the path to let them pass, giving them a nod.
“Mornin’,” the one in front said.
After they rode past, she held out her hand and murmured to him, “Give me my satchel.”
Adam knew better than to argue with her.She was savvy enough to recognize them as outlaws.Perhaps she was savvy enough to carry a weapon among her things.
The riders were twenty yards past when one of them let out a high whistle.
“’Tis a signal,” she whispered.“There are more o’ them.”
“Aye.”
They were likely up ahead in the densest part of the woods.He slipped his hand into his satchel and stealthily pulled out his dagger.They might be outnumbered.But he had surprise on his side.
“And so I said to him,” Aillenn said loudly, “I said, ‘What do ye mean, ye don’t have the rose silk?I was told ’twould be in by spring’.”
His eyes widened in horror.What was she doing?He’d planned to steal up on the outlaws.She might as well be blowing a buisine to herald their arrival.
She glanced at him, taking no notice of his furrowed brows and glare of disapproval, and continued to blather on.
“What was I to do?”she continued.“I couldn’t very well wear the same blue velvet I wore at Yuletide.And I told the merchant so.He insisted ’twas the fault o’ the supplier in Byzantium.‘Byzantium?’I said.‘I asked for silk from Lucca!’”
He glared even harder, biting out between his teeth, “What are ye doin’?”
Her gaze slipped aside just for an instant, but he began to understand.She’d spotted the outlaws, and she was carrying on as if she had not.It was a clever ruse.And it would take the thieves completely by surprise.
“Everyone knows Lucca silk is far superior,” she continued.“And the colors…” She paused for a dramatic gasp.“The yellow is as bright as the sun.The red as rich as strawberries.But the rose, I had my heart set on the rose.Ye know how much I love rose.”
