Total pages in book: 108
Estimated words: 100029 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 500(@200wpm)___ 400(@250wpm)___ 333(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 100029 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 500(@200wpm)___ 400(@250wpm)___ 333(@300wpm)
“You have me at a disadvantage, sir. You are familiar with me while I am not so with you,” Brogan said, not taking his eyes off the man. Grendel had warned him that the merchant could be a sly one.
“I am Fenton, my lord, a lowly merchant who has stopped by Clan MacRae often to sell my wares. I would be pleased to have you and your friend join me for the night. Darkness will fall soon and there is more safety with others.”
Brogan took the opportunity to acknowledge the sleeping woman. “Your friend will not mind?”
“Luna is a poor woman who I took pity on and graciously agreed to transport to the next village. The pitiful soul suffers with a bad limp which makes it difficult for her to travel. Please do join me, Lord Brogan. I have a delicious fish stew ready to eat.”
“I appreciate your generosity, Fenton,” Brogan said.
“I am only too pleased to serve you, my lord. Sit. Please sit,” he said with a respectful nod. “Your companion can serve you.”
Anger flashed in Annis’s eyes and Brogan was quick to reprimand the man. “Lady Annis is my wife.”
“Forgive me, my lord, and congratulations. Your father and mother must be thrilled,” Fenton said.
Brogan could tell that the man’s wise smile was false. He would need to keep an eye on him. He took his wife’s arm to assist her to sit by the fire while he saw to the horses.
Fenton did most of the talking while they ate, boasting about his travels and the many important people he had met.
“Your name is widely known, my lord. All are curious about you,” Fenton said.
Grendel had been right about the merchant. He was a sly one. He was looking for information and being a merchant, he imagined the man saw information as a commodity to sell.
“You mean they are curious about the curse,” Brogan corrected.
“Aye, that they are,” Fenton said with a nod.
Brogan said no more, which meant he would hear no more about it. He wasn’t surprised when his wife spoke up, having wondered how she kept from saying anything before this moment.
“Where do your travels take you now?” Annis asked.
She had maintained an unusual silence, watching the man as he spoke with her husband. He was more than a simple merchant. His fine garments hinted at that. What he sold bought far more wealth than mere wares. He was a procurer of information.
“I have a few more stops in the area, your home being one of them, Lord Brogan,” he said with a pleasant smile.
Annis was well aware that he avoided actually answering her and that his face seemed stuck in a perpetual smile, meaning it wasn’t real. She decided to test her theory of what he truly sold.
She slipped her hand in her husband’s and gave it a light squeeze, hoping he would understand what she was about to do. “Would you go fetch the blankets? I grow cold.”
Brogan eyed her suspiciously for a moment but the way she had squeezed his hand, he understood that she asked for his trust, and he gave it to her.
“Anything for you, my love,” he said and kissed her cheek.
“Kind, sir,” she said, getting Fenton’s attention as soon as her husband was out of sight. “Have you by chance heard any news about Lord Rannick? I heard a rumor but do not know if I trust the source.”
His eyes turned wide, and his grin faltered. “What news is that?”
Annis shook her hand in front of his face. “I do not like to spread falsities about people.”
“But I heard something as well, perhaps we can share what we have heard and see if it is the same,” he suggested.
She looked over her shoulder as if fearful of her husband’s return. “Someone told me I could make good coin with what I know.”
“I can get you more than good coin if the information proves worth it,” Fenton said, his own eyes keeping a watch for Brogan.
“Tell me what you know first,” she bargained.
Fenton was quick to share. “A wife has been forced on Lord Rannick and her death is expected any time now.”
Annis almost gasped but forced it back. Her theory was correct. The man dealt in information, but she would not let him deal in her sister’s life.
She shook her head. “I heard differently.”
Fenton grew more interested, moving from where he sat opposite the fire from her to sit beside her. “What have you heard? I may be able to get you good coin for it.”
Annis sent a glance over her shoulder again, hoping it alerted her husband not to return yet. “I heard his new wife does well and there will soon be news of an impending bairn.”
Fenton drew his head back in shock. “Who did you hear this from?”