The Saint by Monica McCarty

Author:Monica McCarty
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Highland
Publisher: 0
Published: 2012-03-27T11:50:48+00:00

Fifteen

Muriel pulled the cloak over her head and hurried across the narrow streets and wynds of Inverness. As the sun fell over the horizon, a damp mist had descended over the royal burgh, blanketing the hills and rooftops in a murky haze.

Normally the short walk from the guild to the small room the Earl of Ross had rented for her above the cobbler’s shop was a pleasant way to stretch her legs after a long day’s work. But on a ghostly night like tonight, she wished she’d accepted Lord Henry’s offer to escort her.

Lord Henry was a new master physician, and she was grateful for his friendship, of which she’d had precious little since arriving in Inverness. To say that the physicians of the guild did not welcome her was an understatement.

But friendship was not all Lord Henry wanted, and she knew it would be wrong to encourage him. Right now her focus was on knocking down whatever obstacles the venerable physicians put in her path, and not making any mistakes while she completed her apprenticeship. She couldn’t give them any excuse to get rid of her. And so far, to her surprise as much as she suspected to theirs, she was doing just that—and perhaps even winning a few supporters along the way.

But focus on her work was not the only reason she did not wish to encourage Lord Henry. Her chest pinched. Someday she would put the Earl of Sutherland behind her. But that day had not yet come. It would, though. By all that was holy, it would.

When she’d first realized Will was looking for her, she’d foolishly thought he’d wanted her back. Not trusting herself to be strong enough to refuse, she’d avoided his messengers. It wasn’t until Donald cornered her as she left the guild that she’d learned the truth: Will hadn’t wanted her back at all. It was the king who’d needed her.

Stung, she’d sent her reply, knowing well that in issuing the petty challenge she was ensuring he would never come for her. William Sutherland of Moray, the proud Earl of Sutherland, would not lower himself to chase after anyone. Even the woman he professed to love. Not when she’d spurned that love—or rather, his “offer.”

As she turned the corner onto the high street, her step slowed. The street was well lit, a hubbub of activity, filled with merchants, alehouses, and even an inn. The noise was oddly reassuring.

Her room was just up the road ahead. She could make out the torch that the cobbler had left for her as she walked past the alehouse. The sounds of shouts and breaking glass weren’t all that unusual. But a moment later, a man stumbled out—or more accurately, was shoved out—right into her path. Unable to avoid a collision, she bumped into him and barely caught herself from falling.

“Pardon,” she murmured, instinctively trying to move away. But he caught her around the waist and spun her back to him.

“What do we have here?” he slurred, the stench of ale heavy on his breath.

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