Chapter 6
A t breakfast the next morning, Mary brightly suggested that she and Brigid should visit the town for market day. Sandy inwardly groaned. Could his sister not accept that Brigid was a risk to them? The woman should not be wandering around where anyone could see her.
“That sounds like a lovely idea!” Brigid said, and this time Sandy groaned aloud. Mary and Brigid had warmed to each other over dinner the night before. They seemed well on the way to being fast friends - which could only mean trouble. One meddlesome woman was enough. What had he done to deserve two? Mary had even lent Brigid a dress, something warm and snug in deep blue wool.
“It’s not a good idea to go into the town,” he said firmly. “Edmondson’s men might have followed us, and I don’t want them to track me to Gillies Tower. That could put a lot of people at risk, and you know it, Mary. I have tenants who depend on me, after all.”
Mary pouted. “It should be fine. You’re worrying unnecessarily.”
Sandy sighed. “Edmondson’s men know what Brigid looks like. If they see her, they’ll know for sure that I’m the masked man. You know that can’t happen.”
Mary’s eyes narrowed. “Then don’t come with us, brother. I am more than capable of looking after both myself and Brigid. You have no need to worry. And we’re miles from Edmondson’s camp. His men won’t have come this far.”
Sandy sighed again, more heavily. There was no arguing with his sister in one of her moods. She could have faced down a dragon and won.
“Very well,” he said. “But I will be coming with you, if only to keep an eye out for Edmondson’s men. I’ve come to know what most of them look like.”
Mary rolled her eyes, but at least she didn’t argue.
The three of them walked the short distance into town. Mary chattered away the whole time, telling Brigid all about their neighbours and tenants. Sandy stayed out of the conversation. His whole awareness was on the road to either side of them, and the fields and trees beyond that. He would not let them be caught unaware.
When they strolled into Gillieston, Brigid gasped, and her face split into a smile.
“It’s beautiful!” she exclaimed. Sandy couldn’t help but smile at her delight.
Gillieston was indeed a beautiful little village, with its small stone houses painted in an assortment of bright colours. In the central square, a bustling market was underway, with people from all around gathered together to sell their wares. The whole scene was colourful and lively, and Sandy had always found it charming.
They drifted from stall to stall. Brigid seemed fascinated by everything. She picked up item after item, examining them all in great detail.
“Buy something, if you like it,” Sandy said.
Brigid looked at him, startled, as if she had forgotten he was there.
“But I have no money,” she said.
“Well, then,” Sandy said, plucking a pretty little necklace out of her hands. “I will just have to buy this for you.”
Before Brigid could protest, he’d handed over a coin to the stall holder, and pressed the necklace back into Brigid’s hand.
“But you can’t!” Brigid protested.
He winked at her. “Too late. Perhaps you can pay me back in the future, when you rescue your betrothed and find your way home.
He felt an unexpected glow of pleasure at the sight of her smile. There was something rather enjoyable about buying her a pretty little trinket. And no doubt the necklace would look lovely on her. Anything would.
Brigid was still smiling up at him when he froze, his gaze sliding over her shoulder. His heart pounded hard.
“I’ve just spotted one of Edmondson’s men,” he said, keeping his voice low. “Don’t look.”
Brigid’s eyes widened in fear. Mary, beside them, quickly realised what was happening.
“I’ll distract the man,” she said, her own voice just as soft. “You get Brigid out of here.”
Leave his sister alone with one of Edmondson’s men? Sandy’s skin shivered at the idea, but he knew her plan was a sound one. He nodded.
Mary strode off into the street as Sandy steered Brigid into a side alley, out of sight. An almighty crash sounded, then an angry shout, until the air was full of shouting and cursing. Despite himself, Sandy laughed.
“Mary’s always been good at causing trouble,” he told Brigid. “Now, let’s get out of here.”
The two of them backed down the alleyway and ran up the adjoining road, heading in the direction of Gillies Tower. Sandy could not stop the laughter that bubbled up inside him.
Until a woman stepped out of a house into the street just ahead of them. She turned, and her eyes met Sandy. He groaned and staggered to a halt. This really was the last thing he needed right now.
“Sorry, Sara,” he said. “I’m a little busy at the moment.”
He tried to step forward, staying between her and Brigid.
Sara’s eyes narrowed in fury. She swung her arm out and slapped him, hard. His cheek stung, but he held his temper. He walked past her, Brigid trotting uneasily on his other side. As expected, Sara shouted a few insults after him, but she didn’t follow, and he didn’t turn around. At last, they turned onto the main road once more, and Sandy sighed with relief. That could have been a lot worse.
“Who was that?” Brigid asked, catching up with him. Suddenly, it was worse. He couldn’t remember ever feeling so awkward in his life.
“An old acquaintance,” he said.
Brigid raised an eyebrow. “Do you mean an old lover?”
Sandy winced. The whole thing with Sara had definitely been a terrible idea. He’d never much liked her in the first place, but she was pretty enough, and there weren’t many single women around here.
A shout sounded behind them. Had someone followed them after all? He couldn’t take the chance. He grabbed Brigid’s hand and held it tight, pulling her along beside him. They ran all the way up the road, panting hard, until the gates of Gillies Tower were in sight again, and they could finally slow down to a walk.
“I’m a bit worried about Mary,” Brigid said, breathing heavily.
“I’ll go back and find her,” Sandy said. “I just want to make sure that you’re safe first.”
He hammered on the gate. Thankfully, it was only a moment before a servant appeared and pulled it open.
For a second, Sandy still hung onto Brigid’s hand, holding her close against him.
“Don’t worry,” he said. “Mary and I will be home soon.”
As she looked up at him, his gaze lowered to her lips. How would she react if he kissed her again?
But then he thought about how her eyes had lit up when she spoke of her betrothed. He dropped her hand.
“Stay inside, where it’s safe,” he said, and turned to head back to Gillieston.