"All right," she heard herself say."But I'm paying.For all of us."
"Mistress, ye dinnae have to—" Darach started.
"I want to," Bella insisted."Consider it thanks for keeping me safe."
The tavern was not too crowded with a few patrons enjoying a meal.The barkeep's eyes widened when he recognized the MacKinnon guards flanking Bella, but he quickly showed them to a table near the hearth.
Bella ordered food and ale for all of them, and soon they were enjoying hearty meat pies, fresh bread, and foaming tankards of ale.
Over the meal, Bella quietly told Una everything from her forced marriage to Boyd and Paisley and Bryce's lies that led to their breakup ten years ago.
"That hackit bitch!"Una replied."I never liked her.To think she was scheming with yer useless, good-for-nothing brother all along.No wonder Bryce is out on his arse with the king.It makes sense now."
"What do ye mean?"Bella asked.
"Well, before I left to come here, there had been rumors that Bryce caused trouble with the woman they call the Mad MacKay Witch.Something about her inheritance.She's now married to the Ferguson laird."
Bella was quiet for a moment when a thought occurred to her."I have an inheritance separate from my dowry.I remember hearing Father and Bryce talking about it.Bryce said, if I married, it would be forfeit.I never thought much about it until now."
Her thoughts were interrupted when Darach and Gilroy came to sit closer beside them.So they changed the topic.
"So," Una said, taking a large sip of her drink."Tell me about these fine guardsmen of yers.Are they spoken for?"
Gilroy laughed."I am a free man, but I'm sweet on a lass who does not even ken I exist."
Darach snorted."Och, she kens ye exist.She just does not like ye because ye always say something that angers her!"
"Aye, that's true.She's so bonnie I simply lose all sense."
"What of ye, Darach?"Una asked."Is there a Mrs.Darach waiting for ye at home?"
Darach laughed."I'm still trying to work up the courage to properly court Fiona."
Bella blinked."Fiona?The miller's daughter?"
Darach's face went red."Aye, mistress."
"Fiona is a sweet girl.Have ye spoken to her yet?"Bella asked.
"No," Darach admitted."She's so shy, I dinnae ken how to talk to her before she flees."
Una advised, "Ask her about her day.Make her laugh.That's all it takes."
"Is that what worked with yer husband?"Darach asked.
"Dinnae be daft, what do I need a husband for?"Una scoffed as she skulled her third tankard of ale.
They all laughed then.
Bella had just started on her third tankard of ale.She was feeling pleasantly warm and relaxed.Her cheeks were flushed, her movements looser, and her laughter came more freely.
A group of rough-looking men entered, already deep in their cups despite the early hour.They were loud, boisterous, and the barkeep was eyeing them warily.
"Trouble," Gilroy muttered, his hand moving instinctively toward his side, though he made no move for his sword.
"Maybe they'll just drink and leave," Darach said hopefully, though he too had straightened in his seat, ready to move if needed.
But of course, they did not.
