Page 20 of How to Woo a Highlander

William had decided to go to see Laird Balfour and Laird Cargill to discuss getting Lenord and Ephimer clan soldiers to join them in the coming battle. While Alastair was not sure it was necessary to garner such a large army, he did not say anything in objection. The clan was losing soldiers to the border town raiders unnecessarily while Grant was readying its forces.

It was not a bad idea to get some help since they were already at a disadvantage. What Alastair worried about most was what Cargill and Balfour would want in exchange for their support. The clan was not poor, that much was sure. They were thriving, even though some of the villages had suffered from the rage of English soldiers in the past years. William was a gifted Laird and always found a way to make sure that his people had enough.

The clan Grant also had lands that were razed by English soldiers, but Laird Macpherson was nothing like William, and those towns and villages suffered. This was his excuse for wanting to attack clan Mackenzie again. Macpherson was telling his people that assimilating clan Mackenzie would get rid of their lack. According to Alastair’s spies, the young men of Grant were recruited into the army with this in mind.

Alastair watched the people happily going about their business in the streets outside his window, and his heart clenched. His people were thriving and happy, but storms were brewing in the near distance.

* * *

The clothes had fit her perfectly. Jane was overjoyed but had dressed with some difficulty, following the instructions the boy had given her, finding a second pouch of silver to gamble.

After some deliberation, she chose to take her short sword as well. It had given her strength when she first went out in England, so it would do the same again. She carried it in its sheath against her hip as she always did and covered it with her clothes. It was there as a comfort, but she made sure she could easily have it in her hand the moment it became necessary.

This time she had gotten much more than she had paid for. Not only had the stable boy found her the ghillies and stockings, but he had also taken her out to town once he heard what she wanted to do. She had found out that his name was Anderson, and he did not seem to mind at all that she was English.

Now she walked with him through the town, her eyes wide with excitement as he showed her around. In all her escapades, she had never had a partner in crime before. He would have to leave her and head home to his family, but he promised to take her somewhere she would be able to gamble first.

He had his pouch in hand already and so had a noticeable bounce to his step. She could not help but be happy at his excitement. He had said he would give the money to his mother to use for the family, and she had felt a surge of pleasure imagining how happy his mother would be. Ready to give him even more money, she had asked him if there were any problems in his family, but he had been quick to say no.

According to him, his father was a fish trader, and his mother and sister stayed home to care for the house and prepare the fish their father brought back for sale. He said that they had enough and were very happy. His honesty had warmed her heart, and she was glad it had been him she had met to help her. The streets were just as lively as the ones in England, only more brightly lit. Lanterns were hanging on stalls and the outside of buildings, leaving the streets in a soft glow.

People talked and laughed with each other, and she blended into them perfectly, even as her heart thumped in excitement. They passed an inn, and she glanced inside the well-lit building. Noticing her looking, Anderson shook his head.

“Ye willnae find what ye are lookin’ for in there. There is nay gamblin’ allowed in that buildin’,” he said as they walked past.

Jane frowned in question, glancing back at the building.

“Why is that?” she asked, causing Anderson to shrug.

“The innkeeper is very strict. Any trouble made in there will get ye kicked out by a guard. Only respectable men go there, so there is nay gamblin’,” he said, then as if remembering that she was looking to gamble blushed apologetically and added. “Nay offense meant, Miss.”

She chuckled and shrugged. “None taken, I assure you.” He pulled his cloak over his head in the way that she had done to cover hers.

“Me maither will kill me if she ken that I went near a gamblin' table. I cannae imagine how she will react if she ken that I helped a miss go there. Are ye sure that ye will be alright?” She almost wanted to ruffle his hair but stopped herself.

“I will be fine; I used to do this back in England also. I just want to play.”

He gave her a worried look as he finally stopped in front of another inn. He glanced inside just as a chair was being tossed through the air followed by raucous laughter, and he turned back to her, looking even more troubled.

“These men can be dangerous, Miss; we can just return to the castle now.” This time she laughed and ruffled his hair.

What a nice boy. There aren't many children who remain so sweet at his age. His family should be very proud.

“I have seen much worse. I will be fine; I am very fast,” she said. When he continued to look doubtful, she rolled her eyes and pulled her cloak even further over her head, completely covering her hair.

“I will come to see you at the stables tomorrow to prove that I am alright. Will that make you feel better?” she asked. He gave her a slow nod, and she chuckled.

“Go home now; I will be alright.” She remained at the door as he walked away and waited until he was gone before she shook her head with a chuckle and stepped inside.

Now, let’s see what we have here.

Chapter Ten

The moment Jane stepped into the inn, she found exactly what she was looking for. Everyone else in the inn seemed to be trying to be as invincible as possible, leaving a wide berth for the table right in the center where the game was being played. At the table, there were five large men, three of them jeering and laughing, throwing coins on a table while two among them tossed dice and guzzled ale.

The loudest of the men was a huge burly man with a long red beard, plaited down to his chest. Her brow raised as she had never seen someone with a beard that long before.

What is he? A pirate?