Evan glanced at her. “That’s Edinburgh,” he said, as though expecting more of a reaction.
“I know. And my cousin’s there. Somewhere in all that.”
Evan studied the city, his jaw set. “Aye. Somewhere in all that.”
They began walking again, the muddy track they had been following winding down onto a stony road that gradually widened, becoming the main thoroughfare to the capital. The day grew louder. Wagons rattled past them, laden with barrels and crates. Soldiers marched in uneven lines, red coats bright in the morning sun. Riders in fine cloaks thundered by, mud splattering from their horses’ hooves. After the silence and wide, open spaces of the moors, it was a little overwhelming.
Evan looked as tense as a stalking wolf. He strode in silence, shoulders hunched, eyes darting everywhere. And he wasn’tthe only one who looked wary. Groups of townsfolk clustered together, talking in urgent, hushed tones.
As they got closer to the city, the tension only rose. Ruby spotted a group of people arguing openly by the roadside. A man shouted about Scotland selling its soul. Another yelled back about peace and prosperity. A woman clutched her children close, eyes darting between them.
“What’s happening?” Ruby murmured.
“The Articles of Union,” Evan replied. “It’s got the place stirred up like ants in a nest. Damned politics.”
They reached the gates into the city and Ruby saw a rank of soldiers guarding them, muskets in hand. They were stopping travelers and questioning them. Some travelers were waved through, others turned away. A few unlucky souls were pulled aside for further questioning.
Ruby licked her lips. This wasn’t how she’d imagined her arrival in Edinburgh would go. And yet, nothing about her trip into the past had turned out how she’d imagined. Why should this be any different?
As they slowed to a crawl amongst the press, Evan’s hand hovered near his waist, near the knives hidden beneath his coat.
He was wound tense as a spring—so tense she feared he might snap. She grabbed his sleeve, yanking his hand away from his knives.
“I’ve got this,” she said, stepping in front of him. “Just follow my lead.”
Before he could reply, she walked up to the soldiers. One of them looked her up and down. “Yer business in Edinburgh?”
Ruby straightened, shoulders back, expression composed in a way she’d perfected in boardrooms and crisis meetings. Confidence, even when she didn’t feel it, had always been her best armor.
“I’m visiting the city,” she said crisply. “I’ve family here. My cousin. I was delayed on the road by unrest.”
The soldier’s gaze flicked to Evan. “And him?”
“My escort. Hired for the journey. Dangerous roads, as you well know.”
The soldier grunted. “Name?”
She gave him her most charming smile. “Ruby Douglas.”
“And yer cousin?”
“Charlotte Douglas,” she said smoothly. “Her husband does business near the High Street.”
The soldier leaned closer. “Any allegiance?”
Ruby met his gaze without flinching. “Yes. To keeping my head down and my family safe.”
There was a beat of silence. Then the soldier snorted. “Canna argue with that. Move along.”
Ruby inclined her head and walked through the gates, Evan stalking by her side. Only when they were several paces inside did her knees threaten to give way.
Evan caught her elbow. “That was....” He cast around as if thinking of the right word.
“Idiotic?” Ruby supplied shakily.
A faint smile curled his lips. “I was going to say bold.”
She waved a hand. “Bold. Idiotic. Two sides of the same coin. But at least we got inside without too many questions.”
