Chapter Sixteen #2
Reaching up, she touched his face. “I’ve never had anyone tell me that, not even my da,” she said. “I… I dunna know what tae say.”
He fingered a strand of chestnut-colored hair. “I told ye that I loved ye and I want tae marry ye. Tell me ye’ll at least give me the opportunity tae earn yer love in return.”
His vulnerability was apparent. This big, strong warrior had a tender side. Leaning into him, she sweetly kissed his cheek.
“I dunna need tae,” she breathed. “Ye already have it. I canna explain it, Brody, but whatever feelings have grown between us are something stronger than I’ve ever known. As if it was meant tae be.”
A smile flickered on his lips. “I feel the same way.”
Lilia returned his smile before kissing him, gently, twice.
“I wish I could stay and talk tae ye all night, but I’m afraid Lady Currie may be on the prowl,” she said.
Then, her smile faded. “Brody, she saw ye tonight. She even went tae Clegg de Lave tae ask about ye. I told ye that she comes tae The Cal tae find men tae pleasure her and I fear now that she’s seen ye, she’ll try tae buy yer favors. What will ye do?”
The warmth in his eyes faded and he sat up, gingerly, pulling Lilia up with him.
“I’ll refuse, of course,” he said. “It was one of the questions I asked Sir Clegg – I wanted tae know if I had any choice in the matter if a woman tried tae buy me. He told me that men have free will in such matters, so I’ll refuse. ’Tis as simple as that.”
“But she’ll offer ye a good deal of money. Mayhap more than a fight purse.”
“It doesna matter. I belong tae one woman, my angel – ye. There is no one else.”
She was greatly relieved to hear him say that. Not that she ever doubted that would be his response, but it was still good to hear it. Swinging her legs over the side of the bed, she stood up and smoothed at her skirt.
“Let me go and see tae Lady Currie,” she said.
“If she’s busy with someone, then I’ll return tae ye.
But if not, I’m sure we’ll return tomorrow night.
I’ll see ye then. Oh – and there is something else I forgot tae tell ye.
I spoke with Laird Currie and he told me that my debt is nearly paid.
He said another two pounds should be enough. ”
Brody appeared pleasantly surprised. “Is that all? Then it shouldna take too long tae get the money together.”
“He said he would release me if he could. He’s going tae speak tae Lady Currie about it again.”
“Even better. Then we can marry and ye can come tae live here, with me.”
She looked at him, confused. “But why here? Why would ye stay?”
He sighed faintly, dreading what he was about to tell her. “Because I gave an oath that I’d stay for the full term,” he said. “They know I’m here tae earn money tae buy yer freedom, but they also told me that they expect a vow from me if they’re tae train me and provide me with opportunity.”
She understood, sort of. “But how long?”
“Seven years.”
Her eyes widened. “Seven years? We must stay here for seven years? Brody that’s as bad as being forced intae servitude with Lady Currie. When will our lives become our own?”
He could see that she was getting upset and he put his arms around her, pulling her into a warm embrace. But he also knew that she had a point.
“Mayhap it willna be a full seven years,” he said soothingly. “I dunna want ye tae worry over it. One day at a time, my angel.”
She nodded but she wasn’t comforted. She was gravely concerned over a seven-year commitment. “If ye say so.”
“I do.” He kissed her on the head before standing up wearily, his hand on his wrapped wound. “Now, I’ll escort ye from the camp. Ye’ll not walk alone around here.”
She shook her head and tried to push him back onto the bed. “I can find my way,” she said. “Ye needna worry about me. I can take care of myself.”
He acted as if he didn’t hear her. There was a tunic hanging on a peg near the door and he pulled it on, grunting with the pain the movement caused him.
“Dunna be ridiculous,” he said. “I’ll escort ye and no argument.”
She stood her ground. “If Lady Currie sees us together, I’ll pay the price. Is that what ye want?”
His eyes narrowed. “She’ll not see us. I’ll walk ye tae the edge.”
“But…”
“Shut yer yap. The first thing ye need tae learn is not tae argue with me.”
“Is that so?”
“’Tis.”
She scowled at him a moment longer before losing the fight against a grin. Rolling her eyes, she threw open the cottage door.
“Very well,” she sighed sharply. “Come along, then. Ye’re the walking wounded, but who am I tae tell ye tae stay in bed?”
He grabbed her as she headed out the door, snapping her back against him as his big arms went around her.
“Ye’re the woman I belong tae,” he murmured. “Ye’re the woman who has given me my life back. Ye’re everything tae me. Does that answer yer question?”
Lilia relished his embrace one last time for the night. “It does.”
“Good.”
True to his word, Brody walked her to the edge of the village before seeing her off as she headed back towards the arena.
Lilia found Lady Currie still with Clegg, still discussing the new recruits, but as the evening wore on, it became apparent that Lady Currie was pouting because Brody McKay had been denied her.
She finally ended up with the blond novicius named Warenne, whom she took back to her carriage.
With Lilia and Amy waiting outside the carriage, it was quite obvious what the pair was up to.