Perhaps her confusion registered on her face as Conall stepped back from the woman and turned to Molly.
“Molly, I would like ye to meet Fiona MacKinnon, an old friend of mine.”
Fiona held out her hand to Molly. “Any friend of Conall’s is a friend of mine.”
“Um, you too,” Molly stammered, shaking Fiona’s hand.
Fiona laughed lightly. “My apologies for my behavior just now but we have to keep up appearances, dinna we?”
Molly nodded dumbly. “Sure. If you say so.”
“So, how is business?” Conall asked Fiona.
Fiona waved her hand. “Same as ever. I have something special ye might like, though.” She crossed the room and opened an ornamental chest standing against the wall. From it, she retrieved some books with battered leather covers and handed them to Conall.
He examined them curiously, almost reverently, and Molly spotted some of the names on the covers: Plato, Aristotle, Socrates.
“I picked them up from a merchant who couldnae even read Greek,” Fiona said. “He had no idea what they were. I thought ye might appreciate them.”
Conall gave her an appreciative look and took the books from her with murmured thanks. Molly watched as he began to flip through them excitedly, already engrossed in their content.
Fiona just laughed at him fondly before turning to Molly with an amused expression on her face. “Ye see? Same as ever.”
Molly didnotsee. She had not known that Conall would be interested in such things because she barely knew him. Unlike Fiona, it seemed. She wondered what their relationship was and how they knew each other. ‘Old friend’ didn’t seem to cut it.
An odd sensation speared through her, and it took her a moment to realize what it was. Jealousy. Hot and biting, like acid. She pushed it down mercilessly. Why would she feel jealous of Fiona?
Conall set the books aside carefully. “Thank ye, Fi.” He cleared his throat and then looked at Molly. “Lass, I need to talk business with Fiona. Why dinna ye return to the inn?”
Meaning he wanted to get rid of her. Whatever he needed to say to Fiona, he didn’t want to say in front of her. That stab of jealousy intensified, but she didn’t let it show on her face. Instead, she nodded as though she didn’t care one bit about being sent away like a naughty schoolkid.
“Fine. Whatever. In fact, I think I’ll take a look around Lanwick, explore the place a bit.”
“Excellent idea!” Fiona said brightly. “And I’ll even get one of my people to give ye a tour!”
She crossed to the door and stuck her head out. A moment later, one of her men came in.
“Gerald, ye are to escort Molly wherever she wishes to go.” She scowled and pointed a finger at the man. “Her safety is in yer hands, do ye understand?”
The man, Gerald, nodded. “Aye, Chief.” He gave Molly a mocking bow. “If my lady would come with me.”
Molly hesitated. Fiona might pretend this man was her guide, but it was clear that Molly wasn’t to be left on her own. Fiona didn’t trust her.
She glanced at Conall and he gave her the tiniest nod. Fine. This could work out for the best, anyway. She needed to get a good look at Lanwick if she was going to carry out her plan. With a nod to Gerald, she followed him out of the room.
***
ONCE THE DOOR CLOSEDbehind Molly, Conall turned to Fiona. “Gerald can be trusted?”
Fiona cocked her head as she regarded him. “Aye, he can be trusted. Molly will be safe whilst she’s here, on this ye have my word.” Her gaze sharpened. “Who is she?”
Conall raked his hand through his hair. “Honestly? I dinna know. I met her on a beach quite by accident.” He smiled to himself as he remembered her fierceness when she was trying to protect her boat. “I’m taking her to the convent at Saint Hilda’s.”
Fiona’s eyebrows rose. “The convent? She doesnae look much like a nun to me.”
“She isnae. She’s a sailor of sorts, but she’s been injured and needs a place to stay for a while. The convent is the safest place I can think of.”
Fiona nodded slowly. “Alright. Just be careful, Conall. Ye know how dangerous this game can be.”
