Everyone had a past. Everyone carried the burdens of choices made. Lily knew that as well as anyone. She understood all too well how our histories could haunt us, shaping our choices and molding our futures.
“I know what it’s like to carry the weight of a past,” she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper. “The secrets we keep and the experiences we endure can shape us in ways we often don’t realize.”
She hadn’t meant to say that, but the words slipped out, and as soon as they did, Lily regretted them. The atmosphere in the room seemed to shift, becoming heavy with unspoken truths and shared vulnerabilities.
Oskar’s eyes searched hers, a mixture of curiosity and guardedness. “Ye sound as if ye ken first hand of what ye speak.”
How had the conversation shifted around to her? She’d been trying to find out about Oskar’s past and now hers was being dredged up instead.
She stood up quickly, almost knocking her chair over. “I’d better throw another log on the fire. It’s starting to burn down.”
She hurried over to the fireplace and knelt to add another log. As the flames danced back to life, casting flickering shadows around the room, Lily closed her eyes and took a deep breath.She needed to get a grip on this conversation. She had nearly slipped and revealed things she wasn’t willing to reveal.
There was a knock on the door.
“Aye?” Oskar called irritably.
The door opened and Alan stuck his head in. “Have ye finished yer meals?”
“Aye. Take away the dishes.”
Lily straightened and shot Oskar an annoyed glance. “Thank you very much,” she said to the innkeeper. “The food was lovely. Please pass on my compliments to your wife.”
Alan nodded with a smile. “I’ll be sure to let her know, miss. Is there anything else I can assist ye with?”
“What’s been going on in the bar? We heard a commotion.”
The innkeeper’s smile faded, and he glanced nervously at Oskar before answering. “Just a dispute between some patrons, miss. It happens from time to time. But dinna worry, we’ve managed to settle it down now.”
Lily wasn’t entirely reassured by this. Alan gathered up the dirty platters and cups and balanced them expertly on his arms as he made his way to the door. “I’ll bid ye goodnight,” he said. “Sleep well, miss, sir. Ye are the only guests so ye’ll have plenty of privacy. And ye dinna need to worry about disturbing anyone.” Was she imagining it or was there a mischievous glint in his eye as he turned and left the room?
Lily frowned after him, putting her hands on her hips. “What did he mean by that? Why would we disturb anyone?”
Then all of a sudden the meaning of the innkeeper’s words dawned on her. Lily felt her face flush with embarrassment. Oh God. How must this look? She and Oskar, alone together in a room. What other conclusion could the innkeeper reach other than they were lovers? She hastily turned her attention back to the fire, desperately trying to ignore the awkwardness that hung in the air.
Oskar cleared his throat, breaking the silence. “I assure ye, Lily, I am not the scoundrel that the innkeeper seems to think I am.”
She let out a nervous laugh. “I never thought you were.” She looked around. “But...but...whereareyou going to sleep?”
He shrugged. “Elsewhere. Ye can rest soundly tonight. No harm will come to ye.”
He watched her intently and again Lily felt that odd little tremor in her stomach. “Well, I suppose we should get some sleep.”
Oskar heaved his bulk up from his chair. “Aye, I suppose we should. Good night, lass.”
“Goodnight, Oskar.”
He walked to the door, but hesitated with a hand on the handle and looked back. There was a look in his eyes as if he wanted to say something more. But instead, he simply nodded before opening the door and slipping out.
Lily went to the door, threw the heavy bolt, then crossed to the bed and sat down. With a deep sigh, she leaned forward and rested her head in her hands. Weariness settled deep within her bones. Her back ached so she arched it, kneading her spine with her knuckles.
She undressed and crawled under the blanket on the lumpy bed. It wasn’t much more comfortable than the ground had been but as soon as she was horizontal, she felt a bone-deep weariness wash over her and was asleep in moments.
It was dark when she jolted suddenly awake.
She stared into the darkness, wondering what had woken her. There it came again: a loud thud, then another, followed by a low groan.
She bolted upright, heart racing. The fire had dwindled to embers, casting eerie shadows on the walls. Lily sat very still, butthe sound did not come again. She strained her ears, trying to listen over the furious pounding of her heart.
