Chapter 8

8

A nne hadn't intended to buy anything from the market, but when she came across the dagger she realized that the reputation of the McLeod clan had been well-earned. She hadn't failed to notice how much of a toll this trip had taken on Rory. She had asked a lot of him when really a young boy should not have been tasked with such matters. Seeing the dagger reminded her of how Rory had asked her for one. He didn't get excited about many things in life, and he never dared ask her for too much as he knew that they did not have two pennies to rub together. Although she hated the idea of getting him a weapon as she did not want to encourage this fantasy he had of becoming a warrior, she did want to do something nice for him. She wanted to show that she appreciated all he did, and she thought that this way she would be able to show him just how good life could be for them, and it would also allay his concerns for the remainder of the gathering.

There was just one problem; she couldn't hope to afford it. But that's where Finlay came in, and the noble desire to buy a present for Rory also acted as a test for Finlay's affection. This was a chance for him to show her how serious he truly was, and a chance to flaunt his wealth. Her eyes lit up as he casually rummaged in his pocket and pulled out a handful of coins, giving them to the blacksmith without a second thought. He didn't even spend a moment or two haggling over the price, which she had seen many people do during their time in the market. It was clear that he was already eager to do anything to make her happy, and she knew this boded well for the near future.

He thus invited her on a picnic she was eager to accept. He mentioned that he had bought some food from a stall earlier, but she must have been too distracted to notice. They left the bustling village and headed towards the area that Finlay had overheard people talking about.

When they arrived, Anne could see why it was held in such high regard. The field was flat and fertile. As the breeze drifted over the field, the colorful flowers swayed in a beautiful dance. The air was sweet, and in the distance, the field was framed by a thick forest. She could see rising plumes of smoke, which were no doubt produced by farmhouses. It was far quieter than the village was and she was glad of the peace. It reminded her of home, and it gave her and Finlay the chance to be alone. She tilted her head to look over her shoulder, hoping that Rory knew better than to follow her out here where he might be noticed.

Finlay unclasped his tartan cape and floated it onto the ground, turning it into a makeshift blanket. He then produced the bread and apples, placing them on the ground as well. He took Anne's hand and they lowered themselves.

"This really is beautiful," he said, gazing out at the horizon.

"It truly is. Thank ye for bringing me here, and thank ye again for the dagger."

"It's nae problem," he said, smiling. "When is yer uncle expected?"

"Oh, he'll be along taeday. He will nae want tae miss any of the gatherings. I think it's likely that he's been held up at the gates. There was a long line of people waiting tae get in when I arrived," she said, knowing that she was going to have to think of a way to divert him from trying to meet this make-believe uncle.

Finlay broke bread and offered her some. She started to nibble on it. "So why are ye here with yer Uncle and nae yer parents?" he asked. "Could they nae make the gathering?"

Anne looked away for a moment. She had spent the journey thinking about the backstory to her lie, but from experience, she knew that the best lies were the ones that nestled closely to the truth. "My parents are dead," she said softly, her words dropping like stones.

"I'm sorry," Finlay said. He wore a grave expression. "I dinnae know."

"How could ye?" she offered him a smile, but the sadness in her eyes was genuine enough. "It happened a long time ago. Ma grew sick and eventually, it got the better of her. Da was a warrior. He went out tae fight villains like bandits and thieves tae earn his coin and give me a good life," she had to catch herself from saying ‘us', as Rory was not her brother, only her uncle's apprentice to Finlay's knowledge. "One day the fighting got tae much for him. I suppose there are only sae many fights ye can endure before they catch up with ye. Hae ye been much of a fighter?" she asked.

"Thankfully my clan is small enough where we hae nae been troubled by many bandits. I'm sorry that yer Da hae tae resort tae fighting. Did he nae want tae be a merchant?"

Anne snorted and shook her head. She reached down and picked up some blades of grass, tearing them out of the ground. "I think he wanted tae get away from home. After Ma died it was nae the same. He was reminded of her." She rolled her shoulders. She had had a lot of time to think about why her father had made the choices he did. "I think he hae a lot of rage in him as well. Fighting was probably all he had left." She sighed and then this was where her story deviated from the truth. "But my uncle stepped in and took care of me. He gave me a roof over my head and always hae food on the table. He took me on his trips and I was able tae learn a lot about the world, and when Da died… well… he made it clear that I would never hae tae worry about haeing nowhere tae live. He told me that I would always be safe, and he promised tae give me a good life. Sae far he hae lived up tae this promise," she choked on her emotion, but it was more due to the fact that she would have loved this type of life rather than the one she needed to endure. She would have loved to have had a relative reveal themselves and become her savior, rather than having to resort to theft and deceit.

"He sounds like a good man. I look forward tae meeting him. I hope that he thinks I am good enough for ye."

"I'm sure he will," Anne spoke sweetly and sidled towards him. Revealing her past to him, even though it was varnished with lies, made her feel vulnerable. He had said all the right things to her though. Unlike the other men she had seduced, she actually wanted to spend time with him and be close to him. There was no doubt in her mind that plenty of young, graceful girls would be falling over themselves to earn a place as his wife. She felt as though she was in competition with them, and didn't see why they should have this when she couldn't. If she could win his love then it would be a defiant statement to every woman everywhere, and it would prove to herself that she did not need to slum in the grimy taverns.

"And I look forward tae meeting yer family tae. I'm sure it will nae be long until yer Da arrives. He's probably stuck at the gates, like my uncle," she added.

"Aye," he turned away. The word rolled off his tongue, seeming far longer than the single syllable needed.

"I hope he thinks I am good enough for ye," she said, arching her eyebrows, giving him a beseeching look. Finlay looked directly at her and she felt the intensity of his penetrating gaze. Wild locks of hair fell around her face and she longed for him to push them back again. To feel his fingers against her skin brought a wave of blistering heat that was impossible to quell.

"Ye are good enough for any man, nae matter who they are," he whispered. His words danced in the air and her heart felt lighter.

"Tell me about yer past, Finlay. I would love tae know more about yer clan and yer family, and the land that ye hail from. I want tae know what brings pride tae the Ross name," she hoped that by asking him about his family she would flatter him. Instead, she noticed his eyes tense as they darted away. Once again, he had this air of mystery about him. If it was an act to make himself more interesting then it was working, but she had no reason to disbelieve him. He had seemed genuinely emotional when talking about his old family horse, and she knew people couldn't feign things like that.

"Ye can ask my Da all about that when ye meet him. He loves talking about the family history. I'd always tried tae focus on the present moment. People spend tae much time looking at the past and the future that they end up missing what is right in front of them. I dinnae want tae make that mistake. I want tae make the most of this moment because it's the only time that is ever gaeing tae exist. After all, when else are we gaeing tae be sitting here in this field as we are right now?" he said. His words had a lyrical quality to them and it was almost as though he was casting a spell that enchanted her fully.

Anne felt herself being drawn towards him. She had long since forgotten about the food. She hungered for something else. She met his eyes and found them soulful and deep. This was the moment, she thought, the moment when she could prove to him that she was not like other women, the moment when she could offer him a glimpse of what life with her would be like, a moment when she could clamp chains around his heart and push her plan forward.

She allowed her gaze to drop from his eyes to his mouth for just a moment, before allowing them to rise again. Then, she moved even closer. Their fingers touched on the tartan cape, while their breath drifted together in a warm haze. In the world of nobility, there were rules against kisses like this, but she had never been one for the rules. She pushed her body forward and pressed her lips to his. It was not a kiss that was forced, nor was the desire she felt anything but genuine. Finally, she understood what she had seen in the eyes of so many men; unbridled desire. The kiss burned with passion and a breathless moan surged between her lips. She melted into his embrace as his arms stretched around her. Never had she realized how blissful this could be, and she began to understand why men were so eager to risk everything for just a glimpse of this ardent heat.

It was as though a key had been twisted and something was unlocked deep within her soul, something that had remained hidden until now. Her insides turned to liquid and she realized she wanted more than his mere touch. She wanted everything. Heat raced through her and she tilted her shoulder, offering her chest to him. His hand fell down and brushed against her breast, sending a wave of tingles shuddering through her. A long, low moan escaped his lips and it sent her wild. She could feel something twisting inside her, like a storm that would not abate, and she was ready to offer him everything she possessed because he had something she needed.

But then the heat of the moment was broken as he pulled away. Sweat glistened upon his brow and his chest heaved with heavy pants. He blinked frantically as he tried to compose himself.

"I… we should nae dae this. It's nae proper. I… I would nae want tae ruin yer future, even though I like ye immensely," he said.

Anne wore a wounded look. "What happened tae enjoying the present?" she asked, reaching for him once again. He pulled away again.

"I'm thinking of naething else, but I'm also thinking about what ye will think of me when the emotions hae settled. I cannae dae that tae ye. This world can be cruel," he said in a reluctant tone. Anne's head was still fizzing with emotions and she wasn't entirely sure how to react. She simply had to lean back and try to ignore the scorching heat on her lips and the yearning of her heart.