Page 2 of My Highland Fling
Lindastill hesitated.“How would this work?What about your security team?”
“My security detail watches the lobby.Is there a staff entrance?The paparazzi swarming the hotel worries my security team more than me escaping.I never have before, but I’m slowly going crazy.”
My parents have arranged a wedding for me, and I’m terrified I’m stepping from one prison to another.
Gabrielle held her breath and silently willed Linda to decide in her favor.
“But won’t they notice you’re missing?I’d hate to lose my job.”
“If you’re finishing soon, we could walk out together.My security team and the press would never expect me to leave in this manner.”Hopefully, Tilly would sleep until Gabrielle’s return.
“You haven’t complained?”Linda grimaced.“I would’ve.”
“My mother tells me to suck it up.Not in those words, but that’s what she means.”Gabrielle hesitated over what to tell Linda.“The thing is, I believe in my charities and want to do my best.My mother threatened to confine me to the castle until my marriage if I caused trouble.Once I’m married, I’ll be my husband’s problem.”
“Sounds like a fairy tale.”Lindanarrowed her gaze, suspicion in her blue eyes.“Are you making this up to gain my sympathy?”
Gabrielle sighed.“I wish I were, but it’s true.My father and mother let my brothers do what they wish, but I am kept on a short leash because I’m a girl.”
“What if someone else notices you?”
“What if I rode on the trolley?Would I fit?”
“Yes.”Linda bit her lip, then nodded.“All right.I’ll do it.Do you have any casual clothes?Jeans?”
Gabrielle grimaced.“This is as casual as it gets.”
Linda frowned and gave her up-and-down scrutiny.“We’re a similar size.You should fit into my jeans and T-shirt.I have spare clothes in my locker.You can use them, and I’ll wear my uniform home.I only have one pair of shoes, though.”
“I have shoes.”Gabrielle scooted off to get them before Linda changed her mind.She grabbed her wallet and pulled a wad of cash from a secret compartment in her laptop bag.Although she’d been saving this money, she figured a night of freedom was worth every penny.
She didn’t care what she did tonight as long as she received a smidge of autonomy.
It took ten minutes for Linda to wheel her trolley along the passage to the employee lift.In the staff changing room, Gabrielle scrambled into the clothes Linda gave her and slapped a cap on her head before they wandered out of the staff entrance together.
“Thank you so much,” Gabrielle said once they were clear.
Linda frowned.“Do me a favor and text me when you’re back in the hotel.I’d hate it if something happened to you.Where’s your phone?”
Gabrielle scowled.“I don’t have one.”
“Really?”
“Mother disapproves of phones.My chaperone has one, but not me.”
“You know how to use a phone?”
Gabrielle nodded.“Tilly has difficulty with technology.She always asks me to help her.It’s our secret.”
“Right.Here’s my number.Keep it in a safe place and borrow someone’s phone to text me.Let me know you’re safe; otherwise, I won’t sleep tonight.”
Gabrielle grinned, a flash of excitement bursting in her as she stuffed the slip of paper into her pocket.“I promise I’ll text you.What about your clothes?Do you want them back?”
“No,” Linda said.“You’ve paid for them.Keep them.This is the main street.It’s late-night shopping, so most stores are still open.”
“Thank you, Linda.I appreciate your help.”
“Don’t forget to text me.”
