Page 117 of The Scot’s Secret

“Thank you for your hospitality.”

Alex stood, and the others followed.

“Where are we going?” Robert asked.

Alex gave the room a final glance before heading for the door.

It was a question he couldn’t yet answer.

29

And then he was gone.

For a few heart-pounding moments, Clara expected a knock at the door. She’d seen them enter, surprised to see the reivers she’d encountered travelling with Alex and Geoffrey. But they had said they were travelling to Kenshire to see Geoffrey, so she supposed it made sense.

What did not make sense was the disappointment that flooded through her as she saw the men emerge from the inn. She hadn’t wanted him to find her. This was best for him.

And yet, she was a fool to deny that part of her had hoped and hoped for a different outcome. That Alex would somehow learn Albri was lying. That he’d break down every door in the inn to find her. She had imagined it so thoroughly she could almost feel his arms around her.

Before he left, Alex stopped and turned back toward the inn. Was he looking at her window? Did he suddenly suspect?

Impossible.

He looked devastated. In that moment, she knew Emma had been right. Alex loved her—just as surely and as inescapably as she loved him.

When he turned away, Clara slumped to the floor. She buried her face in her hands, too busy tending to her tears to notice that she was no longer alone.

“Hush, girl. What’s the matter then?”

Albri closed the door behind her and sat next to her on the floor. She held her in her arms, and Clara continued to sob. She could no sooner control the tears than she could worry about Albri’s reaction.

“You lied to ol’ Albri.”

She didn’t deny it, but the words brought Clara out of her misery. . . if only for a moment. She sat back and wiped her face with her sleeve.

“I’m so sorry. I knew if I told you—”

“I’ve a mind to fetch that handsome boy—”

“No!”

She grabbed Albri’s arm in panic. “You cannot. Albri, he will fight for me.”

“And protect ye, no doubt.”

Clara didn’t care if the innkeeper thought she was mad. Every time she doubted her decision to run, she needed only to close her eyes to see her father’s body dropping to the ground. The great knight, a warrior who’d loved his country as well as anyone. Dead before she could even yell out a warning.

“No,” she said. “I will not allow Alex to be killed. Or you.”

She stood, and Albri stood with her.

“I can’t stay here.”

Clara began to gather her belongings when Albri intercepted her.

“Fool girl, you need to rest.”

Clara moved to an opening in the shutters and peered out.