“I have done what the king asked, milord. ‘Twas ye and your kind nature that ye hid from the world that has made being your wife and enjoying our bed what it is.”
The edges of his eyes crinkled as a light smile crossed his lips.
“I thank you for your efforts.”
Tosia grunted and patted his scruffy, black-furred cheek. “Methinks ye thanked me enough last night.”
James shook his head. “Methinks much of our nightly loving is for me. Nay, something outside the bed. A joining of souls in conversation and affection, in addition to our joining of bodies.”
Tosia half-sat, clutching the brown and green tartan blanket to her breast. “Outside? We are to walk the bailey? The gardens?”
James dipped his head with a chuckle. “Nay, more than that. Finish your duties for the morn. I will do the same. Then meet me outside the kitchens near the noontime meal. Inform the chatelaine that ye will no’ be joining them in the hall.”
Tosia’s heart fluttered under her breast, then her smile faltered. “This surprise is no’ what I’d expect of ye, James.”
He levels his gaze at her. “Weel, lass, I’ve made a name for myself doing things that people did no’ expect of me.”
His lips curled into a knowing smirk, and Tosia found her lips mirroring his own. Then she scrambled over him to nab her kirtle, eager to start her day and prepare for James’s surprise.
The woods covered themin a canopy of green, rich with the fragrances of fern and honeysuckle tucked amongst the trees.
“Why are we here? Is this the surprise?” Tosia asked as they walked through the vibrant fauna.
James reached a hand above his head to push away a low-lying branch.
“Aye. Most of our days have been spent in service to the king and his household. We should have some time to ourselves, in the fresh air, away from the bustle of the keep. I thought ye might prefer the calmer scenery here in the wood. Too much singular focus can drive a man, or woman, to the brink of madness.”
Tosia’s lips curled into a slight smile. He’d know about such things.
“I may be familiar with such conceits,” he said with a touch of self-effacing humor in his voice. Tosia giggled.
“Whatever your intentions, I do appreciate the change in scenery. It reminds me a bit of our ride from my croft when you retrieved me for Auchinleck.”
His shoulders twisted slightly against her. “’Tis the only time ye’ve seen the landscape of the lowlands? Have ye never been far from home, lass?”
She nodded, her eyes darting around the lush scenery, trying to take it all in at once. “Aye,” she affirmed. “I was born and raised at my mother’s croft. I only met my father a few times when I was a child, and ‘twas at the croft. Until we rode for Auchinleck, I’d never been more than a few hours’ walk from home, and that ‘twas only to attend the village.”
“The ride to Auchinleck must have been eye opening for ye, then.”
In more ways than one, she thought. “Aye. Ye, though, ‘twas naught more than a day’s work?”
James nodded, stepping around a large stone that blocked their path, guiding Tosia to a more stable footing.
“Aye. I’ve been far from home, from Scotland, for a long time. Across much of France and back.”
“Where ye met Shabib,” she interjected.
James nodded. “He joined me, which made traveling less solitary.”
“How long were ye gone?”
“Years. I had hoped to return to my homeland, claim my stronghold, but . . .” He trailed off with a shrug. Tosia patted his arm in understanding. Tales of the Douglas Larder left nothing to the imagination, and she didn’t want him to revisit that painful memory.
“I’ll admit, I was afeared of my journey to Auchinleck, of meeting the king and ye. Now, I can see it as an adventure.”
“Are ye no longer afeared of me?” he asked, turning to take both of her hands in his. She smiled coyly at his face, one that shined with a happiness rarely seen on his features.
“Nay. Ye made a vow to me, one that I am certain ye will keep, under threat of your king and friend. Ye seem a man who keeps his vows.”
