She rose to her feet and came over to him. She took the bundle and untied it, revealing a long, thick woolen dress in a deep green with a thick, hooded cloak of a shade lighter to go over the top. The material was of a fine weave, far finer than anyone on this village was likely to able to afford. Perhaps it had once belonged to some noblewoman.
Lily ran her finger across the material. “Is this where you’ve been?” she asked. “Getting us some fresh clothes?”
“Aye,” he said with a nod. “And other supplies. We still have a ways to go to reach Edinburgh and this snow is going to make the going difficult. I had hoped to purchase a horse but it seems they are fresh out of horses around here.” He shrugged. “I’m afraid we’re going to have to walk.”
“Wonderful,” she breathed. “What about you?”
He showed her his own bundle. “I just hope Hamish hasnae seen fit to give me a jester’s costume. I wouldnae put it past him.”
Lily laughed. “Now that, I would like to see!”
Oskar smiled despite himself and the two of them looked at each other. Silence fell, punctuated only by the crackling of the fire.
Oskar coughed. “Right. Then I guess we’d better get changed.”
“Yes, I suppose we’d better.” Lily looked around. “Um, would you mind turning around?”
“Aye.” A little flustered, Oskar turned his back. He untied the bundle Hamish had given him to reveal a quilted tunic in a deep scarlet and a long black cloak to go over the top. It was more garish than Oskar would have chosen but at least Hamish had decided not to give him garments that would make him look like the village idiot.
He unwrapped his plaid and let it drop to the floor then pulled his linen shirt off over his head. The cool air played across his exposed skin and he was suddenly all too aware that Lily was undressing not ten paces from where he stood.
This was most definitelynotproper. He should not be in a lady’s bedroom while she changed and he most definitely should not be wanting to peek at her the way he was. The impulse was so strong that he could hardly resist it.
Cursing himself, he strode to the table and poured cold water into the basin from the jug that stood there. Taking a deep breath, he dipped in the wash cloth and gave himself a thorough dousing, grimacing against the icy touch of the water.
When he was done, he dropped the cloth back into the basin then ran his hand over the stubble that covered his chin. It was getting itchy and irritating. He couldn’t remember thelast time he’d shaved. Certainly before they’d set out on this cursed mission. He drew his belt knife and leaned over the basin, preparing to use the water as a mirror. He was just about to begin scraping the knife across his cheek when a sudden reflection in the blade’s surface caught his eye and he froze.
It was Lily. She had her back to him and had shrugged out of the flimsy garment she’d been wearing on her top half, revealing her bare back. Her dark hair, now free of its braid, fell down her back in luscious waves, in contrast to her pale skin.
Oskar couldn’t help staring at the smoothness of her shoulders and the bumpy line of her spine that trailed down to her narrow waist. What would it feel like to run his fingers down that skin? To feel that silken hair trailing through his grasp?
She pulled her hair forward over her shoulder and he noticed something else. Whilst the rest of the skin on her back was smooth and supple, there was a thin line of ridged tissue that ran right next to her spine, almost from her neck to her waist. It stood out like a pale ribbon and was not ragged like the scar from some wound, but neat and clinical.
Oskar swallowed, shame rushing through him like hot bile. What was he doing spying on her like this? What kind of letch was he? He stepped away from the bowl, all thoughts of shaving forgotten, and sheathed his knife. Deliberately staring at the wall, he pulled a clean linen shirt over his head and began to don the clothes that Hamish had given him.
“How long will it take us to reach Edinburgh?” Lily asked suddenly, startling him out of his thoughts. “We’ll get there today, right?”
There was a note of worry in her voice that made Oskar’s stomach knot. He wished he could give her the reassurance she needed.
“I dinna know,” he replied. “It’s still a long ways off. If it were summer and the weather was clear then aye, possibly. As it is, with the snow and maybe more on the way, I canna be sure.”
She sighed. “I was afraid you were going to say that.” He could hear the rustling of her clothing as she dressed and he steadfastly stared at the wall, pulling on the thick, quilted tunic and then tying the cloak over the top.
“We may be lucky,” he said, trying to give her some hope. “Perhaps the weather will clear or perhaps we’ll be able to purchase a horse along the way.” He didn’t hold out much hope of either.
“Maybe,” she said dubiously. “Right, I’m ready. Are you decent?”
“Aye, lass.”
“Okay. How do I look?”
He turned around and started in shock. The sight of Lily in the green dress and cloak made his mouth go dry. The dress hugged her figure perfectly and accentuated her coloring, her long dark hair standing out vividly against the green.
“Well?” she prompted. “Will I pass for a medieval lady?”
Pass? Dear Lord, she’d have every head turning to follow her as she walked by.
“Aye,” he said gruffly. “Ye will do.”
