Page 15 of Highlander’s Mercenary Lass

"What?" she demanded. Andrew could sense her hostility, so he decided to make it quick.

"The reason I am here... I've been sent from the laird o' Duncan to investigate..."

At the mention of the word investigate, the girl's eyes rounded.

"Dinnae fash," he said, reaching his hands to steady hers. Then, just as they hovered above hers, Andrew thought the better of it and did not touch her. She had already had enough of his entreaties for the night, and although his intentions were good, perhaps it would not come across as such.

Andrew moved across a little, so he was positioned slightly further from the now-empty inn.

"Investigating what?" said the lass, as sharp as a tack.

Andrew looked around, distracted. The truth was, he was very weary.

"Och, I am looking for a young lass, last seen in this area," Andrew explained. "Are ye a local?"

"Local enough," replied the girl guardedly. Andrew wondered if she ever gave a straight answer about anything. "So then, this lass, what does she look like? Has she got a name?"

Andrew smiled. "That's just it, hen, no one kens. Nae for sure. She hasnae been seen in twenty years."

The lass stared at him like he was mad. "Well, she'll hardly be a young lass now, will she?" she said.

Andrew shook his head. "That's just it. She is. She hasnae been seen since she was a wean."

Now the lass was perplexed. Andrew couldn't help admiring the shape of her face as it cut against the white moonlight.

"What do ye mean? Is she missing?" she asked, confused.

Andrew sighed. Perhaps he had not explained himself too well. He was about to clarify when he hesitated. It might be prudent to leave some of the facts out. After all, if he started blabbing he was looking for a noblewoman, he might find himself deceived. More so if it got out that she might have some share in an inheritance. And as much as he liked this lass, she had hardly shown herself to be completely honest.

"I mean, a man in the clan, he gave his bairn up for adoption."

The girl's eyes followed him closely, leaving Andrew with the impression she was silently judging both him and the fictional "man."

"The lass's mother had died, an' he wanted the bairn tae go tae a good home, as he couldnae take care o' her," Andrew added. As he did, he looked around to make sure he was not overheard.

The girl nodded, tilting her olive face a little nearer.

"An' what was her name, this lassie?" she asked.

"Aggie," said Andrew, unsurely. Paton had told her that much. "At least, that is what we think. We dinnae ken for sure, an' it's possible that her name might have changed."

"Hmm," said the girl. She looked as if she was turning the name over in her mind. "Well, I cannae think o' anyone by that name, but I'll be sure tae ask. So, this man, why is he asking now?"

It was a good question, and Andrew thought fast.

"Ach, I dinnae ken. I think maybe he regrets it a wee bit, an' now would like tae get tae ken her," he continued. "He sent her up here, tae the Ferguson estate, so I am here tae look."

Andrew gazed into her face. "So I wondered if ye could help me, miss, except...well, I dinnae ken if ye even live here."

The girl nodded. "Aye," she said. "Well, I have just come from an assignment here."

Now it was Andrew's turn to look surprised. He raised an arched eyebrow, inquiringly.

"I come from the laird’s place. He hired me to help, um, take care o' a wee problem in the clan."

Andrew looked even more intrigued, so much that the girl laughed.

"What sort o' problem, miss?" he asked.