Page 21 of Scot on the Run
“Ask me what?”
“Is he really here? Is he staying with you?”
“Umm…” Bella leaned forward to rub her ankle, giving herself a moment to think, searching frantically for the right answer. She had managed to fool the press when Ian first arrived, but Hilda wouldn’t be fobbed off with a half-truth.
Hilda sat back and stared, her jaw slack, her expression wide-eyed. “So it’s true then. He’s here.”
“Who are you talking about?”
“Don’t be coy, missy. Ye’re playing house with the second most eligible bachelor in all the UK, aren’t you?”
Bella whispered a vague, desperate prayer. Please don’t let Ian walk in. Surely he would hear that Bella had a visitor and keep his distance.
“Why on earth would you think that, Hilda? Do you really believe Cinnamon would let a strange man in the house?”
“Don’t try to fool me. Everyone in town is talking about it. I thought surely you would have told me if it was true.”
Bella’s heart sank. This woman was her friend. In Hilda’s eyes she saw disappointment and hurt. “Hilda…” She trailed off, trying to solve the conundrum. “Sometimes a woman has to make difficult choices to honor a promise. Do you understand what I’m saying?”
Hilda’s brow furrowed. “Ye’ve made a promise? To whom?”
Bella remained silent, giving her visitor time to sort through the equivocation.
Suddenly, the Scotswoman’s face cleared. “Ye’ve promised the man ye won’t divulge his location.”
“My brother has lots of friends.” Again, a non sequitur that might explain without elaboration.
Hilda was sharp. She cocked her head. “Finley told this Ian fellow he could hide out here. Ye’re complicit in the scheme. Have I got it?”
“Nice weather we’re having today, isn’t it?” Bella grinned.
“Ach, lass, ye’re a sly one. Now when I’m out and about, if anyone asks me what I know, I’ll simply tell them there’s no evidence at all that the famous Mr. Larrimore is anywhere near the vicinity of Portree.”
Bella nodded slowly. “Tell me what’s new at the shop,” she said.
Despite her understanding, Hilda was clearly disappointed. As Bella’s friend, she obviously had hoped for an inside track to an encounter with Britain’s second most eligible bachelor.