Chapter 12
CHAPTER TWELVE
Charlotte did not know how she managed to finish her meal as she kept blushing with every bite. She had only looked up once and had not been surprised to find that everyone was staring at them, some more subtly than others.
Charlotte did not know what it was that had possessed Owen to act like that.
Sure, a man had tried to talk to her, but she had not even noticed it until Owen laced their fingers together and glared at the man.
The silence that had fallen upon the once loud room was so deafening that Charlotte felt her heart leap into her throat.
Owen had a look of pride plastered on his face now that he had finally gotten the men to stop lusting after her.
Sadly, all that had done was increase the looks she was getting, as now, both men and women stared at her.
She was thankful when the innkeeper's daughter finally returned with their food and ale.
Charlotte dug into the food, forcing it past her constricted throat.
She gulped down some ale, repulsed when the bitter drink filled her mouth and the smell wafted up her nostrils.
Her eyes watered as she fought the urge to spit it out.
She would not embarrass herself even more than she already was.
"How do ye like the ale? Is it better than the one at the place?" Owen asked her, still looking proud. Charlotte wished she could wipe the look off of his face for embarrassing her in such a manner. She glared at him and sighed.
Until now, they had been sitting in silence after what he had done, yet the first thing he thought to say was this?
Charlotte saw some people who had been watching them avert their gaze when she looked around, including the man who had caused all of this in the first place.
Everyone else was staring at them as though they were a couple.
She shocked herself when she realized that she had actually enjoyed it instead of feeling annoyed that he had kissed her without her permission in front of so many people.
A couple. Thinking about it filled her with so much warmth.
Oh, she loved the sound of that. She frowned suddenly.
There was no point in building dreams right now, not when she had people after her and a past she refused to share.
The scar on her leg tingled as she remembered all that had happened.
He might not want anything to do with her once he saw her marred skin or learned of her past. Or maybe he would get tired of running when the person being chased was her, and he would choose to leave her to have a peaceful life.
No, that's not who he is and you know it, Charlotte.
She looked at him; he was still waiting for her to answer his question.
Definitely not the sort to abandon. He would have run away already if he really did not want to be here with her.
It was not as though she could go back to the monastery just to tell them that he was not who they thought he was.
She was also touched by the fact that he had no ties to her, neither had he sworn to protect or guide her, and yet, here he was.
"It is no better than what I had at the place," she replied, catching on to his use of the place instead of the monastery. "Actually, I think I much prefer the other one. Although why anyone would want to drink this is beyond me."
Owen chuckled. "Ye say ye do nae understand why anyone would want tae drink this and yet, here ye are having a sip." He leaned in closer, making her blush. His gaze had darkened as he stared into her beautiful eyes.
Her eyes drifted to his lips as she spoke and back again. Why had he kissed her? Why had he not chosen another means to warn off the guys? Charlotte wanted to know so badly; her body screamed to ask, but she knew she couldn't. Not now when there were so many people who could hear them.
"Yes, of course. I enjoy drinking this bitter concoction so much, I have devised ways to trick you into thinking I do not like it while, in fact, I am enjoying it," she said sarcastically, causing Owen to laugh.
"Eat yer food 'afore it gets any colder," he told her. "And enjoy yer lovely concoction."
Charlotte looked down at her half-eaten pottage.
She tore off some bread and ate it, washing it off with some water this time.
She rolled her eyes when he scoffed and drank his ale.
The two finished with their food and Charlotte got up, her face heating up once again.
She walked with heavy steps towards the stairs that led to their room, knowing fully well that everyone would be staring at them as they went and that their imaginations were bound to fly with them.
Oh dear, how have I found myself in this situation?
They were doing the opposite of staying inconspicuous like they were supposed to be doing in other to avoid getting found out.
Should they send more men after her? Charlotte felt like she could finally breathe again when they reached the end of the hallway and Owen turned the key and pushed the door open, letting her go in.
She walked to the bed and took a large gulp of air, closing her eyes and enjoying the absence of eyes following her every move.
"Why did you kiss me?" Charlotte finally asked with her eyes still closed. Her heart was beating loudly in her chest as she asked. She was sure Owen could hear it from where he stood.
Charlotte did not know what she was hoping for but listened with bated breath when he finally spoke.
"It was just for our cover. We are here under the guise of being a couple, so letting someone talk to ye when his intentions were clear would have raised some brows. I had tae make sure they were all aware of the nature of our relationship."
Charlotte looked at his back as he busied himself with whatever had caught his attention outside the window.
She was disappointed. She could not say why, but she was.
She had been expecting to hear something else.
Or hoping to, perhaps. She sighed and brushed it off, plastering on a smile.
Of course, he was a monk. What was she expecting anyway?
There was no way he would have done it for any other reason than to ensure their cover was not blown.
She plopped down on the bed, looking up at the plain ceiling, thinking of the room that had been her prison for a while before her escape. It had been more beautiful and intricately designed than this, yet she would rather remain here in this small room than return to her uncle's wretched castle.
"I cannae wait tae return tae me family," Owen's voice broke through her thoughts.
"What is your family like?" she gave into her curiosity and asked, anyway.
"Ah, we are all very close knit. We have each other's backs and care for one another.
" She watched as he smiled softly. It was a smile she had never seen from him before.
She knew she had not known him for very long, but in that short time they had spent together, it shocked her to see him appear softer than ever. It made her curious.
"If you are so close-knit, why are you spending so much time away from them? Why are you in the monastery instead of at home with your family?" she watched him.
"Could it nae just be that I wanted tae be a monk?" he asked and moved from the chair to join her on the bed, making sure to put some distance between them.
"You are clearly not a monk."
He chuckled quietly and closed his eyes, his arm on his forehead as if to block out the light. "There are many complicated things, and I would nae ken how tae explain all of them tae ye."
Charlotte smiled when he sighed after she remained silent. Maybe he would tell her something. She was desperate for any information he could give her about himself. Other than the fact that she knew he was not an actual monk, everything about him remained a blur in her mind.
"My family has suffered because of the Musgraves. I despise that English family and all their allies working together tae make sure that my family suffers."
After a moment of shock, Charlotte felt her heart break.
She was devastated. She could feel the hatred he had for them as he spoke.
It tormented her because, while she had not intended to reveal her identity to him, a part of her had begun to reject the idea of them parting at the end of their journey.
Owen would reject her as soon as he discovered who she was, even if she was also a victim.
There was also the fact that even if he decided not to include her among those who had been causing him harm, it would be dangerous for him to tell him the truth.
Her uncle was clearly a dangerous man, as was the vile man he had betrothed her to.
It wouldn't be ideal to tell Owen for a variety of reasons.
Charlotte remained silent for a while, unsure what to say in light of his admission. He had his eyes closed, so she studied him when she noticed he had propped the pillow against his side to avoid pressure on the wound. She chose to change the subject by addressing it.
"Your wound, does it still hurt? Let me look at it." She began to sit up.
"Nay, it is all right. I have cleaned it and dressed it. Ye dinnae need tae worry."
"I am sure you have done so, but I just want to check it out for myself," she said.
She needed to make sure he was okay, both because she did not want him in pain and for her own sake.
She already felt guilty that she was the reason he got hurt.
If he had not tried to help her, he would not have been in pain like this.
He would have been safe in the monastery, preparing to leave for his family's home today.
There was also the fact that if they faced another attack, he would be unable to defend her or himself.
"Ye do nae need tae—"