Chapter 3

3

T he journey took a few hours, and then they jumped out. The driver was sorry to see Anne leave, and she blew him a kiss to say thank you. He chuckled as the carriage trundled along, while she and Rory made their way to the McLeod clan. It wasn't hard to find, as many people were gathering there. A snaking line of merchants and wagons trailed down the road. Anne and Rory slipped in between them, slaloming through various people to ensure that their wait was not as long as the others.

The keep rose high into the sky, as though it was trying to reach the heavens itself. There were thick walls around the village, suggesting to Anne that this place had seen its fair share of battles. She was given pause at the guards who were lining the walls and inspecting the wagons. She feared that she might be turned away, although she did not share this concern with Rory. There was a cacophony of noise in the air as the bustling crowd chatted amongst themselves. Already, Anne could see women wearing valuable jewelry, and men wearing fine tunics. This place was resplendent with glory and the rumors Rory had heard about it had certainly not been exaggerated. They reached the gates and Anne wore her best smile, turning towards the guard. She walked as though she belonged here, having learned a long time ago that people were more inclined to suspect her if she acted shiftily. Her cheeks began to burn as the gaze of the guards lingered upon her, but they did not make any attempt to seize her. Apparently, they did not think that a young woman and a boy posed a threat, and Anne was glad of this.

Their pace did slow now that they were in the village surrounding the keep. Stalls had been erected and people were distracted by the wares that were offered. Most people were being directed to a campsite where the visiting clans were going to stay for the duration of the gathering. Anne clutched Rory's hand tightly, not wanting them to be separated. She also kept checking her coin purse as well as her other belongings, fearing that in the jostling crowd, a pickpocket might take the opportunity to pilfer something from her, even if their outward appearance didn't make it seem as though they had anything of value.

They managed to fight their way through the bustling crowd and made their way to an inn. Anne gathered herself and put on a sweet smile again, asking for a room. Her eyes almost bugged out of her head when she was told the price, as it was more than she expected. When she expressed this surprise, the owner simply rolled his shoulders.

"Look around, there are plenty of people who want a room. They're in demand," he explained. Anne supposed she couldn't begrudge him wanting to make a profit, although she did lament the fact that her purse was now lighter than it had been before. Still, there was no sense worrying about a few coins. If everything went according to plan then she would soon be overflowing with wealth and this loss would be a distant memory.

Everywhere she looked there was a new face to see and study. Anne found it fascinating and exciting, especially after seeing mostly the same people around Tarbert. To be in this place was to feel what the world could truly be like for those privileged few who were able to indulge themselves like this on a regular basis. The conversation swirled around her, the words dancing in the air. The mood was light and frivolous, and she was filled with the feeling that anything could happen. It was as though magic had taken hold and there was nothing that could stop her from achieving everything she set out to achieve. This place was filled with men who were looking for romance, and if she couldn't give them the real thing, she could at least give them a realistic illusion.

She and Rory went upstairs and found their room. Even in the private room, she could still hear the murmuring of sound from below, as though this entire place was about to erupt with excitement. The room was small, but there was an area where she could get changed. She stood in the corner of the room and looked out of the window at the gathering crowd below. There were more people here than she had ever seen in her entire life.

"This is it, Rory. This is the place where our lives are gaeing tae change," she said.

"I hope ye are right, but first can we eat? I'm hungry," he said.

"Of course, but I need tae change first. There's nae time like the present tae make a good impression," she said and promptly got changed. She was careful with her clothes and the necklace, taking care to position everything perfectly so that she looked her best.

"What's taking ye sae long? Ye are only getting dressed," Rory moaned, huffing as he rolled his eyes to the ceiling and crossed his arms, getting more and more annoyed with the delay in eating.

"Things hae tae be precise, Rory. If anything is amiss then people are gaeing tae realize that I'm nae a noble woman, that I dinnae belong here. I need tae make sure that they believe the story I'm telling," she said and continued to adjust her outfit. She pulled it about her body, making sure that everything was caught in just the right way, while she also arranged her hair to be neat and tidy. Tonight she could strike while everyone was in the mood to be free with their emotions, and she would strike before anyone had any idea what had actually happened.

Rory was delighted when she finally declared that she was ready. He raced out of the room, eager to tumble downstairs and get some food. Anne walked with more poise though, embodying the spirit and grace of a noblewoman. She had to ensure that her performance was believable, especially if she wanted to seduce the right man into marriage.

They found themselves a table in the corner and settled down. They ordered some food, which again Anne felt was too expensive, but she wasn't about to complain. Money didn't matter to these people. It flowed as easily as the rivers through the forest, and they weren't concerned about where it was going to come from next. She would have loved to have that mindset, but her life had been a frugal one where she had always had to worry about where things were going to come from next. Coin left her hand faster than she could take it, and she knew she would never be rid of the fear that one day she might reach for coin and find nothing but empty air, and they would be back to facing starvation.

"Ye know, we could just take a night tae get used tae this place. Ye dinnae hae tae throw yerself intae it," Rory muttered.

"I cannae afford tae miss an opportunity. While we are here we might as well make the most of it. Every hour that passes is valuable," Anne said, and looked around the room, searching for a viable target. Her gaze hopped from man to man, passing over those who were standing close to women, as well as those who had taciturn gazes and looked as though they wanted to be anywhere else. A few men met her gaze and she gave them coy smiles, but none of them seemed appropriate.

"One other thing I learned about this clan is that it's famed for the talents of its blacksmiths. One of the reasons why the clan is sae popular is because they hae supplied sturdy weapons tae other clans. It's said that the swords they make are unmatched, and any warrior who wields one gaes intae battle with a clear advantage. Will ye buy me a dagger?" he asked.

Anne was only half-listening to his words, and she did not respond because at that moment she saw the perfect man. He was taller than most men there, standing in a group of other men with no women around. He had dark eyes and slick black hair that reached his chin. His lips were full and expressive, and when he laughed his entire face lit up with joy. His body was slender, although she imagined that he was strong as well. He also looked young enough that it was likely he was looking for companionship. He clearly had a way with people as he seemed popular among the men who had gathered around him, and he made a habit of drinking swiftly. He was unlike the sleazy men she preyed on in Tarbert. There was something about him that intrigued her and she wanted to know more about him.

"Anne, will ye?" Rory asked, tugging at her arm. Anne scowled at him.

"Will I what?"

"Will ye buy me a dagger?"

Anne shook her head and huffed, thinking that Rory was being silly for even asking the question. Of course, she wasn't going to buy him a dagger. What did he even want a dagger for anyway? She went back to staring at this mystery man, trying to catch his eye, although he failed to spot her through the undulating crowd. A waitress came by to collect the empty plates. Anne caught her arm and looked at the waitress with raised eyebrows.

"Dae ye mind if I ask ye a question? Dae ye know that man?" Anne asked, pointing a finger across the room.

"I dinnae know him by name, but I gather he's the son of a Laird, and sons of Lairds are always wealthy," the waitress winked at her, making it clear that she was on the same page as Anne. The waitress moved off swiftly and Anne readied herself to make her approach.

"Ye wait here, Rory, and this time make sure ye stay awake. It's one thing tae fall asleep in Tarbert, but another thing tae dae sae here. I need ye tae make sure that naething happens."

"I'm watching," Rory said.

"I'm gaeing tae try and get him alone. If his friends start interfering then I'll need ye tae cause a distraction. And remember our story, in case anyone asks," she reminded him. Rory nodded and remained rooted in his chair. Anne wondered if it was the right thing to leave him like this, but when she thought about what she could gain by the risk her mind was made up. She would flirt with this man, seduce him, and then steal from him. With this many people in attendance at the gathering, she liked her chances of remaining hidden. It would be easy to lose herself in this sea of people, and she hoped that the shame of being robbed would be too great for him to report the crime. But she could decide whether that was true after she had gotten to know him a little better.

Anne rose from the table and composed herself, taking note of the room and the angle from which she was going to approach. Some men liked it when she approached them straight on, making them feel as though they had been destined to meet her, while others preferred her to come from nowhere. She thought that this Laird's son would have women presented to him all the time, and might prefer to think that luck was playing a role in this gathering. She moved around the edge of the room, hiding from his gaze, not wanting him to notice her until the last possible second. She pursed her lips into a smile and dipped her head a little, and then she made her advance.