Cam put a hand up to ease her because she was becoming quite upset. “I believe ye,” he said. “But the fact remains that theman is dead. Since no one saw ye, dunna mention that ye saw the man or know of him. Deny everything. I am not entirely sure that Sir Clegg would be understanding if he knew ye murdered one of his wealthy gamblers, even if it was in self-defense.”
Isadora let his words sink in. She hadn’t meant to kill the brute, but she wasn’t sorry she had. The man would have killed her, given the chance. Emitting a hissing sigh, she suddenly plopped down onto the ground as if all her strength had abruptly left her.
“I dinna mean tae kill him, simply disable him so I could run away,” she said, peering up at Cam. “Is hereallydead?”
“Definitely. Ye hit him so hard that ye cracked his skull open.”
“And ye left him where he fell?”
Cam nodded. But then, he dug into his long tunic and pulled forth a pouch made from embroidered silk. He tossed it to her, and she heard it jingle when she caught it.
“I took his purse,” he said. “I thought tae make his death look like a robbery. If it looks like a robbery, then I am sure any inquisition will end there. There are hundreds of men here tonight and rather than risk insulting them, my guess is that Clegg will keep the matter quiet. Clegg wants his patrons tae enjoy themselves, not be interrogated for murder.”
Isadora looked at him in shock before opening the silk purse to find dozens of silver coins. It was a good deal of money. “What are ye going tae do with all of this money?”
“’Tis yer money now,” he said. “Put it in a kerchief or in yer shoe. I will burn the purse so no trace remains, but ye’re tae keep the money for a reason.”
“What reason?”
“Me.”
Her eyebrows lifted. “What do ye mean?”
Cam sat down on the edge of his bed, his eyes never leaving her face. “Ye told me that yer father is here tae buy a warrior,” he said. “Ye told me that ye think I have the strength he needs. I told ye I wasna ready for such a thing, but I have reconsidered.”
Isadora perked up when she realized what he was saying. “Then ye would be agreeable tae coming tae Auchnacree?” she said eagerly. “Ye may not be skilled yet, but ye have a strength, Cam. I told ye that. What ye dunna know, I can help ye with.”
He wasn’t as excited about it as she was, not in the least. In fact, he seemed rather unexcited, as if discussing nothing more than a simple business transaction. He pointed to the coins.
“I dunna know how much Sir Clegg will want for my freedom,” he said. “Add that tae whatever money ye brought with ye. Make him an offer with it.”
Isadora looked at the money in the purse. “It may not be as easy as that,” she said. “My da… he’s been watching ye fight. I’ve tried tae have him watch more frequently, but he wants tae watch the more advanced warriors. He has his eye on the man ye fought, the one they call The Beast.”
“The Beast is impressive,” he admitted. “But I can be impressive, too. There are fights scheduled on the morrow in honor of the pagan god no one has ever heard of. I’ll fight tomorrow. Make sure yer da is there tae see me.”
Isadora had hope in her eyes. “I will,” she said. “Do… do ye truly want tae return with us? Tae Auchnacree, that is. ’Twould almost be like going home for ye.”
There was absolutely nothing in his eyes or expression that suggested he was eager about it, or happy about it, or even wanted it. But he nodded his head.
“I want tae go with ye.”
Isadora was thrilled. It was exactly what she wanted to hear. Even if he didn’t appear excited about it, she didn’t care.Shewasexcited about it. Now, she had Cam’s agreement. All she needed was her father’s.
And she was going to get it.
Quickly, she poured the silver coins from the stolen purse into her hose before tossing the silk purse into the brazier at Cam’s instruction. As it burned, she turned to Cam, still sitting in the shadows of his dim cottage. He seemed lost in thought, withdrawn. Quietly, she knelt at his feet.
“Tell me again,” she said softly.
He looked at her curiously. “What?”
“That ye want tae go with me,” she said. “Tell me ye love me and that this will be a new start for us. Ye said once ye wanted tae marry me, Cam. Have ye changed yer mind?”
He simply looked at her for a long, uneasy moment. “Nay,” he finally said. “I’ve not changed my mind. I still want tae marry ye.”
“When?”
“When I know yer father better. Then it will not be a stranger asking for yer hand in marriage.”
