Unlaced by the Outlaw (Secrets in Silk) by Michelle Willingham Page B

brought the supplies you requested.” He walked inside, and he was followed by another man. “There’s food for a few days.” It was clear that he’d brought the other man to ensure that Margaret kept her word.
    “Show me what you’ve brought,” she bade him, twisting off the amethyst ring. She wanted to be certain that it was indeed food within the basket.
    He did, and while she examined the contents, he asked, “You came up from London, then?”
    Before Margaret could speak, Sinclair intervened. “That’s no’ your concern.” He began pulling his shirt back on, and then he came to stand beside her.
    The apothecary sent her a look and asked, “Are you all right, my lady?”
    At that, she realized that her clothing made the man believe she had been abducted. “Of course I am,” she insisted. “As I told you, we were looking for my sister when we left London. There was a coach accident, and it took us longer to travel this far.”
    The apothecary seemed as if he didn’t quite believe her, and he exchanged a look with the other man. “I’ll take the ring now, my lady. Since I’ve done as you asked.”
    “You have,” she agreed. But before she could pass over the ring, Cain stopped her.
    “You willna be giving over any jewelry, lass.” Instead, he withdrew a handful of coins from a hidden fold of his plaid and passed them over to the men.
    Now where had that come from? He’d had money all this time and had never said a word about it? When she sent him a questioning look, he answered it with his own stare. He wasn’t going to offer an explanation.
    Before the apothecary and the other man could leave, Margaret blurted out, “I must ask . . . is there anyone in the village who might be willing to drive us to Scotland in the morning? There would be a greater reward once we reach my sister’s house. She married the Viscount of Falsham, and I would be glad to pay the cost of the journey.”
    Once again, the two men exchanged silent glances, but the apothecary paused, staring at Cain. “If you paid in advance, I might find someone.”
    “We don’t have enough for that,” Cain interrupted. “But even a blind man could see that she is from a family of wealth.”
    A slight smile curved over the taller man’s face. “Is she?” His tone made it clear that he didn’t believe them. “Nay, Snow, they should pay beforehand. If they’ve no more coins, then we can’t help them.”
    “But my family does have money,” she argued back. “Can’t you see this gown is made of silk?”
    “It could have been stolen,” the taller man said. Shaking his head, he escorted the apothecary out. “Come now, Brother. Let them go on their way.”
    Frustration welled up inside Margaret. She wasn’t accustomed to being treated like a pauper. Exactly what did they believe of her?
    Cain took her shoulders and guided her back. “You look as if you want to go after those men with a blade, lass.”
    She wasn’t about to be coddled. “And where exactly did you get any money? Have you had it all this time?”
    “Aye. Did you no’ think I’d come prepared?”
    “But . . . my necklace.” She reached up to her throat, wishing she hadn’t given it away. Especially since he’d had money to pay for their stay.
    “Don’t be worried about that, lass.” An enigmatic look crossed his face, but he only said, “Sit down and have something to eat.”
    She supposed he was right. Despite the slight meal they’d had for luncheon, she was utterly starving. At this moment, she was ready to begin gnawing on the wood.
    He opened up the basket and offered it to her. It took an effort not to dive at the food and begin stuffing herself. Margaret waited for Cain to break the bread in half, and the moment she took the first bite, she couldn’t eat fast enough. Her stomach was roaring for food, and even the cheese he gave her wasn’t enough to sate her hunger.
    “I believe I would trade this gown for a hot meal right now,” she