Why couldn’t she just sneak away and travel with them to the Games? She could enter the competition—oh! Mayhap as Robbie Oliphant! She could cut her hair—the length had always given her headaches, anyhow!—and dress as a lad, and she’d be able to compete!
Breathing heavily, she stumbled against the table, a huge grin on her face.
It could work.
It would work.
It all sounded rather wonderful, if one left out the phrase “so Kester could marry his betrothed.”
Could she travel across the Highlands with him, knowing he was going to marry another woman at the end of their journey?
Well…aye. He’s made his decision quite clear. He’s kenned all along he couldnae be with ye because he was to marry this beautiful, talented Murray lass.
So ‘twould be difficult, but the rewards were impressive. She’d be able to attend the Games and the Competition.
If she had her sisters tell Da that Kester was escorting her—did Da ken Kester was betrothed to someone else? If no’, he’d assume the laird meant to marry her.
Curse her traitorous liver for giving a flip of joy at the idea.
Nay, down, liver. I’m no’ marrying that arse. He kissed me, kenning full well there was nae future for us!
But…there could be a future for her if she was brave enough to reach out and grab it.
Almost hesitantly, her finger trailed along the pipes’ bladder. Could she do it?
Tonight, after the celebrations for Wynda and Pherson’s wedding died down, she could cut her hair. Nae one would look for her, especially if she had Nicola to cover for her. She could cut her hair and dress as a lad and sneak out afore dawn. She could meet up with the MacBains on their way to the Games and they’d assume she was one of the warriors her father had sent.
Well, mayhap not a warrior.
A finger tapped at her lips in one of Wynda’s favorite gestures. She could do this.
A mustache might help.
A grin spilt her lips, and for the first time since she’d realized Kester was pulling away from her, her heart felt lighter with excitement.
He might have broken her future, but to hell with him! He could—mayhap without even realizing it!—help her build a new future!
Aye, she had a new plan. And by St. Kelsi, it would work.
To the Games!