Finlay wore a knowing smile and ran his hand along his chin. “And when I met the niece of a wealthy merchant I thought I could receive a boon as well. It seems we both came up with a similar lie, and the only one who got anything out of it is Rory. Dae ye know how annoying it was for me tae buy that dagger?”
Anne giggled. “Well, I did think ye were a Laird’s son at the time. I dinnae think coin would be a worry for ye.”
Finlay’s grin widened and he started laughing as well. From the moment they met, Anne had been terrified of the moment when Finlay would find out the truth about her, but somehow knowing they had lied to each other brought them closer.
“Murdoch said that ye ran away from here a long time ago because ye stole a sword,” Anne said.
Finlay scowled. “I was betrayed by a man I thought was a friend. He lied tae condemn me, and naebody believed me when I tried tae tell them the truth. I was shamed, branded a traitor and a thief. I hae tae leave tae save my Da the humiliation. I tried tae earn a wee bit of coin here before I left, but Murdoch’s men cheated. I hae nae way tae pay the debt, sae I ran. Since then I hae done things I am nae proud of, but I thought I needed tae in order tae survive.”
“I can understand that,” Anne said, relieved that Finlay wasn’t guilty of the crime of which he had been accused. Deep down she still felt that there was a good man inside him, just as therewas a good woman inside her. It was only circumstances that had made criminals of them. As they spoke they moved closer to each other. Despite everything that happened, it was clear that the attraction between them still existed. The gleam in his eyes was still pleasing to her, and she found that she could not be too angry with him.
“Ye know, despite lying about sae many things, I was nae lying about the way I felt about ye. That was all true,” Finlay said. Anne’s eyes began welling up with tears. Despite everything she knew that she couldn’t stay here with him, not while he worked for Murdoch. It might have been easier had Finlay said he had been lying about everything, even though she was pleased that he hadn’t been.
She took his hand and pulled him even closer to her. “Prove it,” she said, leveling her gaze at him. Their eyes were locked together, and the world melted away just as it had done before. He reached up and brushed a strand of hair behind her ear, and then he leaned in to kiss her. She closed her eyes and fell into the fiery passion, allowing herself to linger in the feeling for a short time. She then pulled away and hugged him tightly, putting her mouth next to his ear.
“I cannae stay with ye, Finlay. I love ye, but I need tae think of Rory. He hae already been in tae much danger and this life…I dinnae want him tae turn out like…”
“Like me,” Finlay finished her thought for her. He bowed his head and nodded, pursing his lips. “I knew from the moment I met ye that it was tae much tae ask that we end up taegether. Ye were always tae good for me, Anne, and ye deserve a man who can give ye a prosperous life. It’s why I tried tae stop ye speaking about marriage.”
Anne smiled. “In another life it would hae been wonderful.”
“Aye, in another life,” Finlay said, resigned to his fate. Anne grabbed him again and kissed him with more passion, knowing that it was the last time she would ever feel such heat. Tears were already flowing down her cheeks and she tore herself away from him, knowing that if she didn’t force herself to leave now, then she never would. Their paths had crossed for a short time only, and they were not destined to be together even though their hearts beat to the same rhythm. It was just another tragedy to add to her life, but this one was so devastating that she knew her heart would never be repaired. At least, she supposed, that meant it could never break again.
19
Finlay watched Anne leave with a heavy heart. It had been surprising to learn about her deceit, but in a way, he should have suspected it. She had been vague about her uncle and had been reluctant to spend any money. It was a good trick, and he wished he had really been a Laird’s son so that he could have been willingly conned by her. But instead of living the rest of his life with her, he had to let her go. She didn’t want to be the wife of some criminal, and he understood why she had to protect Rory. That was the way of life for people like them. She was a good woman at heart, and it was a shame that the circumstances had forced her to turn to such desperate measures. He hoped that one day in the future their paths would cross again, and the fact that they had been able to enjoy this short time together would nourish him for the rest of his days. There would never be another woman like her, so the fact that he got to bask in her glory was at least some small consolation. He brought his fingers to his lips, still feeling the warmth of her kiss. Then he turned back to the tavern, resigning himself to his grim fate.
But then, someone grabbed his shoulder and turned him around. Before Finlay knew it, he was dazed from a punch. Gavin loomed over him, glaring at him.
“Dae ye know what he’s done?!” he yelled and dragged Finlay back into the tavern.
While inside, Murdoch calmed Gavin down.
“Ye dinnae need tae thrash him, lad. He’s one of us now, for the rest of his life,” Murdoch said with a smile.
“But he ran away. He killed—” Gavin protested.
Murdoch waved a dismissive hand in the air. “We’ve lost one man, but gained another. Finlay knows that he hae tae behave with us, otherwise, the consequences are gaeing tae be dire. Is nae that right, Finlay?”
Finlay nodded, wearing a glum look on his face.
“Now,” Murdoch continued, “I think that ye should continue with ye original plan while we still hae time. Gae back tae the keep and pick up where ye left off. And this time I dinnae want ye tae return until the job is done,” Murdoch jabbed a finger in the air to emphasize this point, and Finlay knew that he had to do as he was told.
“I knew ye would change yer mind eventually. Most people dae where Murdoch is concerned.”
“Aye, well, it’s nae as though I hae much choice.”
Gavin grunted. “I’m gaeing tae be keeping a close eye on ye. I dinnae trust ye one bit.”
“That makes two of us. Ye think I’m ever gaeing tae trust ye again after what ye did tae me? If ye hae just owned up…”
Gavin rolled his eyes. “It’s all in the past now. I hope ye are nae gaeing tae gae on about this for as long as ye are around. It’s gaeing tae get old real quick.”
“Murdoch gets his debts, and I will tae,” Finlay said, rubbing his aching jaw where Gavin had hit him. Finlay owed him for that and for much more. He had lost Anne, but he would bide his time and find some way to fight against Murdoch and his men.
They made their way back to the keep, avoiding the attention of the guards and the gathered crowd. Finlay looked around, hoping to see Anne’s face, but it was a vain hope. It would probably have been easier on him if he never saw Anne again, as at least then he wouldn’t have to be reminded of the pain he felt. Gavin kept close by, so Finlay did not have a chance to escape. They returned to the servant’s door, which Gavin had left unlocked. The dead body had been stuffed in a bush, hidden for now. Gavin pulled the door open and pushed Finlay through.
The keep was quiet, eerily so.
