Page 6 of Highlander’s Forbidden Fruit

The day had started as ordinary, but now he was galloping down the country road, blowing up dust, the wind slapping his cheeks. Blood rushed to his temple when he thought of Evanna and her idiotic ways. She had gone and landed herself in hot soup again. How many times would she bring shame to her father, the man he had sworn to protect? Aleck wasn’t sure if he would find her on the road, or in London. One thing he knew for sure, he would keep his promise to the Laird—he would keep his promise to his father.

Chapter Two

Evanna dug sheepishly into her satchel.

The English innkeeper stared at her as if she were a known criminal in these parts.

As long as she had been in Scotland the innkeepers had been friendly and even accommodating of a young lad on his first journey to England. They had sat her down near the fire, given her advice on how to deal with English rogues on the roads, and stuffed her satchel with bannocks and apples for the journey.

In England, the reception had changed. The innkeepers and passersby only had to hear her accent and their mouths curdled in sour grimaces. Their bland faces would become hostile. They would seat her by the door where a chilly draft was constantly yawning in and out, the fire being too good for the likes of her.

Evanna didn’t understand it. The only English people she’d ever met were the Ashbys, and they were like family. The Ashbys didn’t turn their noses up when they came to visit, nor were they stingy with their affection and regard. She supposed it was her appearance. In the past four days, she hadn’t had the opportunity to clean her face properly, let alone take a proper bath. Her clothes had a fine layer of grime on them, and she reeked of the road and horseflesh.

Did she regret leaving like she did and slumming it on horseback instead of a carriage with all its comforts and convenience? No. Yes, the journey had been perilous. Yes, she had to take shelter under a large oak during heavy rain. And yes, there had been a night where she had slept under the stars on an empty stomach. But she had also met people she never would have if she’d traveled in state as became a Laird’s daughter. People had greeted her with respect and kindness because of who she was and not her station. They had also had frank conversations around her which they wouldn’t have if she’d been traveling as a young lady. In his attempt to shelter Evanna from the world, Laird Julius MacLeod had omitted most everything about what was happening in Europe.

But she was finally in London.

It was larger than any place Evanna had ever seen.

The large buildings and avenues tapered off to narrow lanes and cramped houses. It was much more complex and intricate than she had imagined. The sea of humanity was a little daunting. There were languages and accents she didn’t recognize, and there were animals she’d never seen before. The smell from the food stalls mingled with the stench from heaps of trash while children played in streets slick with graywater. The noise was constant and deafening, and you didn’t know where to look when crossing the busy roads.

And Evanna loved it!

No one would recognize her here. It was like a warren of rabbits. She could get lost in it easily and never be found if she liked.

“Here ye are!” she finally said, pulling a gold coin out in triumph. She placed it on the scarred table and pushed it towards the innkeeper.

Sucking on his yellow teeth, the innkeeper considered the coin for a minute before he picked it up and bit it. Satisfied with the quality of the coin, he pocketed it and nodded at his wife who was standing in the doorway to the kitchen.

Evanna looked at the innkeeper, then at his pocket where the coin had disappeared. She looked back at the innkeeper. “My change?”

“You’re not from around here, are you, boy?” the innkeeper asked, leaning on the table. His wife bustled in with a bowl of porridge. She placed it in front of Evanna none too gently.

“Is it that obvious?” Evanna chuckled.

The porridge could have used a few more teaspoons of honey, but she had traveled through the night and most of the morning to reach London.

“London’s an expensive city and high taxes are running our coffers dry. We all need to chip in where we can. A gold coin will only go so far.”

Evanna was shocked. She had a vague idea of London being expensive, but this expensive? A single gold coin had seen her through most of her journey across Scotland.

“You’ll need many more gold coins if you want to survive in the city.”

“I have plenty of those,” Evanna chuckled as she ate her porridge.

“That’ll be two coins for a bed every night.” The innkeeper’s eyes shone, and his attitude was much friendlier than before. Say what you will about money, but it sure made people more agreeable.

“Oh, I’m nae staying here,” Evanna said, wiping her mouth with the sleeve of her shirt. “I’m expected at a friend’s house. Could ye guide me? Only I do nae ken London that well.”

The wife took the bowl. Evanna saw her nod to her husband as if giving her blessing to the exchange. She was grateful to the woman. At first, she had thought her sour and dowdy, but now Evanna looked on her favorably. The innkeeper also seemed to be heartened by the wife’s approval. He clapped his hands together.

“Of course! Be happy to. Where does your friend live?”

“Lord Ashby’s house. It’s supposed to be by the Thames.”

Evanna beamed up at the innkeeper who smiled wide.

Chapter Three