Page 37 of Tales of Highland Loyalty

There was an uncomfortable pause. They were standing on the edge of the hunting ground, facing toward a wooded glade, where it looked as if Will had been hoping to enter.

Now he saw Jane, he was not so sure.

Wanting to cause a distraction, Lissie fiddled nervously with her pocket. It was caught somewhere beneath her chemise. For a moment, her fingers battled with the strings. Then, just as a gust of wind took the hunting ground, she let it drop.

"Och!" she gasped, as her pocket collapsed onto the ground, splaying its contents forth all over.

Everything came out—silver coins, loose bits of jewelry, some spare bits of ribbon. All of it blew about the grass beneath their feet. Instantly, Will dived to retrieve it, but Lissie stopped him.

"Nay," she said, bringing a hand to stop him. Smiling, she shrugged coyly.

"There are many things a gentleman should not see," she said shyly. A quick and embarrassed turn of the head sealed it.

Instantly, Will's face changed. "Ah," he said, looking away. Instead, Lissie smiled at Jane, already on her way to retrieve the pocket. "Would ye, Jane?"

The elderly lady had already taken to her hands and knees, ready to pick up the pocket and its contents flying merrily around the woodland. A scrunch in Lissie's stomach told her this was a rotten thing to do. She did not feel good about making Jane run about after her like this.

But then again, she had not asked her to come either.

"Thank ye, Jane," said Lissie meekly, as Jane trotted off obediently. "Methinks there's a yard o' ribbon in there, which needs folding if ye'd be so good."

She could not help but smile as Jane disappeared into the copse.

Now it was just her and Will, staring curiously out at the green woodland.

"Well," began Will.

Lissie could see he was watching Jane intently, anticipating her return, but Lissie had a plan for that.

Clasping a gold coin in the center of her palm, she cast it into the heart of the woodland, skimming it low into the grass. It was a mean trick, but it would buy them some time.

Did Will see? She was not sure, but she had sleight of hand, and he did not appear to suspect anything when she cried out to Jane.

"Och no," she moaned, turning to Will.

He looked at her blankly. Good. He did not know. "I think it's gone...over there!"

Lissie pointed toward the thick woodland as Jane scurried off to collect it. Knowing she would be gone for some time, Lissie turned to Will and smiled.

"Well then, what a pity, it seems there is no one to watch over us!" Lissie's eyes twinkled as she glanced at Will. For a second, he seemed to respond, his eyes flashing swiftly to hers.

Then he frowned.

"I, um… Perhaps we should turn back," he said uncertainly. The pair of them watched and waited until they saw the back of Jane.

Lissie's heart gave a little pang. Dismayed, she turned to Will.

"Go back? We only just got here," she pointed out. Trying her best, she had just managed to keep the resentment out of her voice, but she could not stop the crashing wave in her heart.

She was bitterly disappointed.

For a minute, Will hesitated, appearing to hover on his horse. Lissie watched as his eyes went to the forest, where Jane was ensconced, and then back to her.

"My lady, this is London, where tongues are loose and eyes are everywhere!" Will explained.

Lissie sighed. She knew this to be true, but the difference was she did not care.

"Fannybaws!" retorted Lissie. She couldn't help it; it just slipped out. Will looked as if he had been slapped. Seeing his face, Lissie fell about laughing.