“I know. You shall be warm soon.” And with her watching him with such belief, he’d do whatever it took to make his claim true.
Through the shield of leaves, standing on the pier, holding the ropeto the small craft, Logan, accompanied by several English knights, came into view.
Colyne sighed with relief. Their mishap had been a blessing in disguise. At least his friend had recovered his boat, and ‘twould end any suspicions the knights might have had of their presence aboard the Kincaid.
Now he must find Marie dry clothing and shelter. Turning, he ducked under a low limb. He kept beneath the overhanging branches as he made his way along the bank. After stealing a blanket and clothes for her from a line behind a battered hut, Colyne hid within an abandoned shelter and helped her change. “Marie?”
She frowned at him in confusion.
Panic welled in his gut. She scrutinized him as if a stranger. “Marie?”
Silence.
A sword’s wrath, her exhaustion combined with the coldness of the water from their swim was making her lose consciousness.
He said a silent prayer as he wrapped her in the blanket and cradled her against his chest. He had to find shelter, a healer, and warm her fast. Colyne pressed a kiss to her brow. “I am going to take care of you. I promise.”
Concern for her deteriorating condition pressed him to take risks; he entered the village he’d wanted to skirt around. He darted through alleys he would have otherwise avoided. At times he caught the interested stares of the people living in this dangerous part of town. Colyne shot them warning glares to keep their distance and moved on.
He wove through several streets, thankful he’d visited this area on a few occasions. At least he knew his way around, along with which parts of the village the duke’s men would most likely ignore.
As he rounded a corner, a decrepit inn came into view. By its fallen state, he doubted they boarded many patrons. Exactly the type of place he was searching for. The fewer people who saw them the better.
Marie moaned.
“We are almost there.” He hugged her to him and hurried inside. Wood creaked and then settled with a thunk as Colyne shoved the door shut. The scent of tallow candles stung the air as his vision adjusted to the dim, narrow chamber. A small hewn table sat to the right,the accompanying chairs designed for durability nae beauty, but overall, the inn was cleaner than he’d expected.
“What would you be wanting?” a woman’s rough voice demanded.
He glanced toward the middle-aged woman whose black hair was twisted into a haphazard braid. “A room,” he replied, nae making any gestures she would deem threatening.
“My husband has yet to remove the sign; we no longer accept guests.”
Even better. Anyone searching for them would never look here. “My wife is ill and needs to rest. Please, any room will do. I have money to—”
“Non.”
Colyne retrieved two coins and held them up for her inspection.
She sniffed. “I have a small chamber, but it has naught but a bed and a hearth. You can stay there for the night.”
Thankful, he retrieved five more coins, more than sufficient payment for a stay at the finest inn in Glasgow. “Three days?” Time, he prayed, that would allow Marie to recover.
A frown creased her brow as the woman studied him. After a moment, she nodded.
Thank God.Desperate at Marie’s weakening condition, he’d already decided, willing or nae, the innkeeper would allow them to remain. Her cooperation made everything simpler. He laid the money in her palm.
Like a woman seasoned in dealing with less than savory characters, she quickly stowed the coins within the thick folds of her faded dress.
“Follow me.” After a quick glance at Marie, she headed toward a back chamber. At the entry, she opened a door.
The musty scent of an unaired room assaulted Colyne as he carried Marie inside. What he’d give to take her to a chamber befitting her station; a bed with the finest linens, a hearth ablaze with a roaring fire, and a fresh pot of her bed tea. At least the bed appeared clean.
More important, they were safe.
Now to address his next problem. “My wife needs a healer. Someone discreet,” he added with a knowing glance.
Worry flickered in her eyes as she studied Marie.
