“Ye hae been daeing well, and I thought ye deserved this,” she said.
“Oh, Anne, thank ye!” he gasped, his eyes widening with excitement as he handled the dagger carefully, as though it was made of eggshells. He turned the blade over, admiring the craftsmanship. “It’s all mine?”
“Aye, but be careful with it. Just because ye hae a dagger dinnae mean that ye need tae find an excuse tae use it. I dinnae want ye getting in any fights,” she warned, pressing her lips together for she feared that Rory was going to walk down a dark path. His gaze was transfixed on the dagger as he twirled it through the air, getting used to the weight of it in his hands. Before anyone could take too much notice, she led Rory upstairs.
“Sae did ye make progress with him?” Rory asked as he perched on the bed.
Anne sat on her own bed and brushed her hair. Some of it had gotten knotted by Finlay’s fingers.
“I believe sae. I think I might be able tae dae more than steal from him.”
“More?” Rory asked, his gaze flicking up towards her.
“Aye, I might be able to marry him.”
“Marriage? That was nae the plan.”
“The plan can change.”
“But how are ye gaeing tae marry him? Ye were just supposed tae steal from him.”
“Stealing is only gaeing tae get us sae far, Rory. I dinnae want tae spend my whole life being a thief. If I can win a marriage proposal then we will never hae tae worry about a thing. He is the son of a Laird. We can live in a grand keep and never gae hungry, and we will nae hae tae worry about holes in the roof either. There will be nae chill wind making our bones cold.”
Rory furrowed his brow. “But will he still marry ye when he finds out the truth?”
Anne glared at him. “He will nae find out the truth.”
“At some point, he is gaeing tae realize that ye dinnae hae an uncle.”
“I shall find a way tae explain it tae him,” Anne waved her hand dismissively through the air, hoping that things might take care of themselves.
“And what if I dinnae want tae leave Tarbert? It’s our home,” Rory pouted.
“There is a better home waiting for us. Tarbert is nae good for us any longer. We cannae keep living in that house. We hae a chance tae leave and I am gaeing tae dae everything I can tae win his affection. He is a kind man, kinder than most.”
“Sae ye dinnae need me tae look for targets then?”
Anne considered the matter. She supposed it wouldn’t hurt to have one or two backup plans. A little bit of extra gold would come in handy. “Did ye see anyone taeday?”
“A few. There are plenty of older men preoccupied with young women. Some of them are downstairs now. I dinnae think they would deny ye a drink.”
“Well, I will hae tae see what happens taemorrow. Finlay is supposed tae be taking supper with me taenight.”
“What am I supposed tae dae?”
“Ye can get dinner on yer own, and I’m sure there’s plenty tae occupy ye here. It’s more exciting than Tarbert, that’s for certain,” Anne said harshly, and immediately felt guilty for scolding Rory. She went to sit beside her brother and placed her hand on his arm. “I know that this is difficult. Things are changing, but they need tae change. It is hard for things tae continue as they are. If I can win Finlay’s favor then our lives will be set and he is a good man. I would be happy tae hae him as my husband,” Anne startled herself by admitting this out loud.
“I just hope ye know what ye are daeing. Ye hae never gotten close tae a man before.”
“I appreciate yer concern, but ye dinnae hae tae worry about me. I know what I’m daeing. I’m in full control,” Anne said, and she believed every word. And even if no marriage proposal wasforthcoming from Finlay, she was still determined to sleep with him. To give her innocence and her passion to a man of her own choosing was an empowering thing. She had been forced into so many things due to circumstance, but this was all of her own making, and for once she wanted to indulge her desires without regret and without thinking of the consequences.
Anne had to resort to wearing the same dress as she had the previous evening. She hoped that Finlay would not notice, but if so then she concocted a story that her uncle had been held up at the gates and he had all her formal wear with him. As she waited in the tavern she heard other people complain about how long it had taken them to get through the gates, so she believed this was a plausible lie. Rory had pointed out a few of the men he had noticed, but she only gave them a passing glance. Her gaze was focused on the door. Her heart skipped a beat every time it opened, but the flame of doubt was quickly doused by the absence of Finlay. Time slipped by and still, he had not arrived. Anne was becoming more impatient by the minute, and her hunger was growing. Rory had already eaten and had ventured outside, sticking the dagger by the small of his back. She tried to not worry about him and hoped that she had not made a mistake in giving him the dagger.
Well, no matter now, she could hardly take it back.
Two hours had passed and Finlay still hadn’t arrived. Rory returned and approached her.
“Is he still nae here?” he asked.
