Hamish’s brows rose and he poured himself another dram of whisky. “Ye can pay, can ye? That’s a fact I wouldnae broadcast around here unless ye want to find yerself suddenly face down in the snow with yer throat cut. But even if ye were carrying a king’s ransom in that purse of yers ye still wouldnae be able to buy a horse. There are no horses to be had for miles around.”
Oskar scowled at this news. God’s teeth! This was just what he didn’t need. Walking to Edinburgh through the snow was not his idea of fun and he’d hoped to be able to at least purchase some sway-backed old nag that could carry him and Lily.
“Fine,” he said. “Then I’ll need supplies. Food that I can carry and winter garments—one set for a woman.”
“Ah! So it’s true!” Hamish grinned. “Yedohave a woman! A right pretty one from what I hear!”
Oskar opened his mouth to tell Hamish that Lily was not his woman, then thought better of it. Perhaps it wouldn’t do any harm for these people to think that Lily was his. They might be more inclined to keep away from her that way.
“Can ye get me what I need or not?”
Hamish spread his hands. “I can, but it will cost ye.”
“Doesnae it always?”
A rapid negotiation followed in which Oskar was sure he’d been thoroughly swindled, but he didn’t have the patience nor the inclination to argue. He handed over the coins and Hamish went out, telling Oskar to wait. He returned maybe half an hour later, carrying two large bundles under his arms.
“Winter garments for two,” he announced, handing the bundles over. “The best that money can buy. Well, the best ye are likely to get around here anyways.”
The material that wrapped the bundles was thick and of a fine weave. Oskar didn’t bother to ask where the clothing had come from. He didn’t want to know. These people were reivers, after all.
“I’ll have the food packed and brought to the inn shortly,” Hamish continued. “A pleasure doing business with ye, as always.”
Oskar grunted in acknowledgement, turned to the door, and left. Outside, the wind had picked up, sending flurries of snow swirling from the laden rooftops and biting at his face with sharp little teeth. He hurried back to the inn.
He froze in the corridor outside Lily’s room as he heard voices coming from inside. His heartbeat quickened. Dropping his bundles, he burst through the door, only to come to a halt as Lily and Alan, the innkeeper, looked up in surprise from where they were sitting at the little table in front of the fire. They had plates of half-eaten food in front of them.
“What are ye doing?” he demanded.
Lily gestured with the piece of toasted bannock she was holding. “What’s it look like? Having breakfast, obviously. Sorry we didn’t wait for you but Alan here brought it to the room and it seemed such a waste to let it go cold. Here, there are some boiled eggs and toast left. And youhaveto try this jam. Mildred makes it herself and it’s delicious!”
Oskar looked from Lily to Alan. The innkeeper’s face paled and he climbed to his feet. “I...um...I’d best be getting on,” he stammered. “I’ll leave ye to it, miss.”
“But you haven’t finished your porridge!” Lily protested.
“That’s all right,” Alan said quickly. “I’m not hungry anyway and there’s lots to do.”
He edged around Oskar and hurried to the door. Oskar glared at him until the door shut firmly behind him. Then he turned to Lily.
“Ye were havingbreakfastwith him?”
“Yes. What’s wrong with that?”
“Didnae I tell ye not to open the door to anyone but me?”
She swallowed her piece of toast. “This is Alan’s inn. I couldn’t very well refuse to let him in, could I? Besides, I like him. He’s nice.”
“Nice?” Oskar exploded. “Nice? He was likely trying to get information out of ye or trying to figure out the best way to rob ye!”
“Don’t be so ridiculous! He’s just a kind old man!”
Oskar put his hands on his hips, glaring at her. How could she be so stupid? Had she learned nothing from Alfred Brewer? “God’s blood, woman, in case ye hadnae noticed, this isnae some jolly country jaunt we are on!”
Lily studied him. “You don’t trust easily, do you?” she asked quietly.
He opened his mouth to retort then snapped it closed. Trust? Trust was for fools. Trust was the thing that would get a knife in your back. He could count on the fingers of one hand how many people he truly trusted.
Instead of answering her question he picked up the bundles he’d dropped and held one out to her. “Here. Some warmer clothing.”
