Read Highland Hearts 03 - Crimson Heart for Free Online Page A

Searc’s boots on the wood floor.
    “I would like to hire two rooms for the night and a bath in each.” Searc drew out his bag of coins.
    “From the west, are ye now?” The man’s accent was different from Searc’s. “The Highlands.”
    “Aye.”
    The man tipped his head to Elena, though his gaze took in her rags down to her bare toes. “Milady.”
    “Who ye talking to?” came a woman’s shrill voice from the back.
    “That’s what I’m trying to figure out.” His loud voice made Elena start. “Two rooms, ye say?”
    “Do we have a guest?” A roundish woman waddled out, wiping her hands on a stained apron. Her face flushed red, and perspiration ran along her hairline. “I need to make up the room.” She stopped when she saw them, her gaze focusing in on Searc as if she were a hawk after a snake. “Well now.”
    “Two rooms,” Searc repeated. “The lady in one, and I in the other.” Not that it was any of their business. The woman patted her hair and wiped a sleeve across her face.
    “Whew, he’s a big one,” the woman purred, and the innkeeper gave her a fierce look.
    “Keep yer skirts down, Maude,” he grumbled and turned back to study Searc. “And where be ye headed?”
    Searc stared hard at the man for a moment, ignoring the obvious perusal of the hefty lady. He tossed two coins on the table. “This should be enough for the rooms, baths, and a good meal.”
    “A face of a prince, the body of a warrior, and he’s got gold,” the woman crooned with a wink.
    The man’s eyes widened at the gold. “What if I was to say I had no rooms?”
    “Then I’d say ye were a bloody fool,” Searc said low. The threat was evident even without a sword in his hand.
    “And an arse.” The woman cursed.
    The man took them both in as he frowned, his voice shrill. “I needs to know who is sleeping under my roof. Lasses have gone missing of late, disappeared in the middle of the day, taken by someone wily enough to lure them away. The magistrate will question me if a lass goes missing from under my roof. I don’t need no trouble.”
    “Aye, but we need coin.” The woman steeped her hands on her plump hips and looked at Elena. “Where, child, did ye lose yer clothes?”
    “I’m afraid ’tis a long story.” Strength laced Elena’s words. “But I can assure you that this man has helped me, not stolen nor lured me away from my home.”
    “Ye are English,” the innkeeper said as if he were accusing her of some devilish deed. He shifted his eyes to Searc. “And ye a Highlander.” He left the question hanging there.
    “My cousin is providing me escort to Edinburgh,” Elena lied lightly. “I am on my way to Holyrood Abby to say my vows.” She crossed herself then.
    “Vows to wed?” The man’s bushy eyebrows rose.
    “To wed Christ. I will be a sister in the abbey if they will take me.”
    Searc’s breath held for a moment. Did the lass plan to pledge her life to the Catholic Church? Take the stringent vows of chastity and servitude?
    “I’ll ready the rooms.” The woman shook her head and turned to the stairs. “The girl needs a good cleaning whether ye decide we have open beds or not, Finny.”
    “My sister thinks she runs this place.” The man cleared two tankards off a nearby table and sat them on the low bar.
    “Lasses have gone missing?” Searc frowned, a quick glance at Elena. What would have happened to the lass if he’d not found her in the woods?
    “Aye, two within the last month. One just outside Edinburgh and one near town center. I know the father of the one in town. Good, God-fearing man and a sweet lass, lost in the middle of the day, no sign of her.”
    Searc frowned deeply and shook his head, his lips tight. “How far is the city?”
    “An hour ride south.”
    From above the stairs, loud thumps could be heard as the floorboards creaked.
    “A pilgrimage to see this lass to a house of God.” The man nodded, then whisked the coins off the table. It seemed to be a