Page 183 of Tales of Highland Loyalty

"Here," he said, opening the drawstring pouch. "Some o' the coin we ha' gotten!"

Ainslee's eyes almost popped out of her head. So did Marisse's. In fact, Malcolm's stance had attracted the attention of roving eyes all over the crowded table.

Even his friend looked concerned. "Och, put it awa' laddie!" said James, seeing the eyes following them. Marisse looked at Ainslee, impressed.

Ainslee glanced away. She was impressed, but desperately trying not to be. Even so, she had questions about their story.

"Here, lass," said Malcolm, slipping her one of the gold coins. Marisse's eyes nearly popped out of her head. Ainslee felt the coin, smooth and cool against her hand. It glinted brightly in the orange half-light of the timbered inn. But as tempted as she was, she pushed it back to him.

"Nae," she said, through her teeth. "I dinnae take coin from strange men..."

With a pertinent look, she stood up, ready to leave. But Marisse was reluctant.

"Wait a wee while, will ye," she said, somewhat aggrieved. James had his arm around her, and was busy recounting the difference between a sea dog, and a leviathan. Marisse flashed Ainslee one of her trademark looks.

Ainslee sighed.

It was going to be a long night.

* * *

What felt like hours passed. With a deep sigh, Ainslee pushed away the untouched pottage dish - cold and stewed - and sat back on the wooden bench.

It was late. Outside, the weather was howling. Wind came bellowing into the inn, racing through the room from the gaps in the shutters. Ainslee could not see it, but she could hear the gushing rain hitting the wooden slats.

For a few hopeful moments, the commotion dimmed, and Ainslee allowed herself the hope that the storm had passed. She had just about convinced herself that travel might be possible, when an almighty crashing struck the little inn.

"Och!" Malcolm's hand fell protectively onto her shoulder, as Ainslee froze in disbelief.

A loud bang drew gasps from the tipplers, followed by a streak of light in the sky.

By now, the night sky was exposed by the inn's shutters blowing open. Outside, vertical rain and utterly biblical sheet lightning told her in no uncertain terms, there was no going back.

"Ye alright, lass?" Malcolm asked, bending down to whisper in her ear. Ainslee tensed. She did not want to speak, especially to him. But the storm had unnerved her. Immediately, her thoughts turned to her horse - she hoped she would not be spooked by the unexpected fray.

Without looking, Ainslee nodded. But she was shivering. And it was not all cold.

"I ken, ye dinnae like thunder," recalled Malcolm, wearing a concerned look. Ainslee's guts twisted. She hated him, but also, her heart leapt that he had remembered. And cared.

Withdrawing from his touch, she was forced, at last, to acknowledge him, at least briefly.

"I am braw," she asserted, without looking. Malcolm let go, but kept his gaze on her throughout, and with it, James' interest too.

"A muckle collieshangie," he mused, looking at the storm beyond. Marisse, who was almost seated on his knee, giggled impetuously. Ainslee tried her hardest not to clack her tongue.

All she wanted was to get out of there.

A silence lapsed, in which a hearty gust of wind knocked over Ainslee's dram. This gave Malcolm the perfect excuse to refill her dram. Trying not to look at him, Ainslee nodded.

"Gramercy," she muttered, stiffly. Ainslee's cheeks colored rapidly. Her heart beat hard. A combination of tiredness, drink, and the shock combined within her. She had to get out of here.

"O course, tis naething compared to the storms at sea!" announced James, heartily, as Ainslee failed to stop her eyes from rolling to the skies. "But what was worse than all the storms, an' sea dogs together, was when the auld captain was overturned! An' it took the aid o' this lad to do it... my first mate!"

James slapped his arms around Malcolm, who smiled, embarrassed. Then, a loud roar distracted them, as a bolt of lightning narrowly missed the inn. A giant cheer rose up from the tipplers, as the storm raged on, leaving the stout tavern untouched. But it was a close call.

Marisse let out a relieved breath, and Ainslee found her heart thumping hard. She had never liked lightning. Despite herself, her eyes went to Malcolm.

His pink skin was reddening, under the heat of their gaze. In that instant, Ainslee could not help but think how handsome he looked.