“And he is to move to Threave soon. Are you to join him there?”
Shabib swallowed. Here was where the conversation grew murky.
“Well, that rather depends on you.”
Lena’s hand flew to her ample bosom.“Moi? What of me?”
Shabib’s heart threatened to burst from his chest, beating as hard as it was. When had he last felt such heady sensations? Not since before his wife and son were slain, and he’d made the rash vow that his heart was dead. Allah indeed could perform miracles.
“I know it is much to ask, but we are both strangers in this land. I have found it to be a fine home, a place I would like to stay. Especially since you have arrived here. I have spent the past fortnight trying to garner the courage to ask if I might woo you?”
“I have heard rumors of you as well. Ones I tried to ignore. But they persist the same. Are you ready for such a thing? Despair doesn’t cloud your judgment or your heart?”
Shabib understood her question, and his eyes scrunched up as he gazed upon her curious face.
“It did. For a long time. But by James’s side, I saw how anger, despair, and vengeance can wreak havoc upon a man’s soul, and how the love of another is the only healing balm. But then, I could ask you the same. You said you’ve experienced the death of your family. Am I asking too soon for you to consider opening your heart?”
Lena turned her face to the stables, losing herself in the steady work of the men. Her profile was strong, with a high, clear forehead, a sharply defined nose, and pouty lips. Shabib believed he could look upon her face and never tire of it.
“Oui, I lost family, but unlike you, not a spouse or a child. My mother and father, butmon perewas elderly. My younger brother who was ready to leave the house died, too. We weren’t overly close. There is sadness in my heart, but it has not locked my heart away.”
She turned to face him again. “But you are leaving,oui? Joining the Black Douglas when he removes his wife and household to Threave?” she repeated her question.
“Not if I might court you. The MacMillans are set to remain attached to Auchinleck for a time and will move only when the King’s household moves. I have permission to become part of the King’s household. I will always be loyal to James, but now that he has Tosia, I don’t need to be his conscience anymore. And after seeing the joy and hope in these northern people, I am anxious to contribute to it, find the same for myself. I have been given leave by the Bruce to remain at Auchinleck before we travel to the Highlands.”
“And you would stay here,pour moi?”
“Oui, for you. I’d not depart to Threave if there is something that might keep me here. My sword is sworn to the Douglas and the King, but my heart, such as it is, is my own. I offer it to you.”
Lena stilled, so quiet and motionless it seemed as if she stopped breathing.
“Yours is yet so fragile a heart, Shabib,” Lena finally answered in a tender voice. “What if I can’t hold it well and only bruise it more? And what of your beliefs? You know I do not share the same.”
Shabib risked it all and reached for her hand. She let him take it, and another scar on his heart healed.
“First, we each must come to our Allah in our own way. I am not one to dictate that, and while it may cause a complication here or there, we don’t live in a land where those complications might matter much. As for my fragile heart, I am a courageous man, a warrior. More importantly, I have faith, in both Allah and you, that you will tend to it with the utmost care. If you will take it.”
His blood pounded in his head as he awaited her answer. Perchance it was too soon. Perchance he overstepped. Perchance his faith, his appearance, and his draping robes were too much for her. But if he didn’t ask, he’d never know. And he’d rather take the risk than miss out on what could be a passionate, loving future.
Her hand warmed as he held it, and the fact she didn’t pull her hand away made his heart soar with hope. After so long a dead, leaden thing in his chest, the light sensation was glorious. Who knew that he’d find family, kin, and perchance even love in a cold northern country so far from his own?
Her hand moved, and he had a moment of panic that she was pulling away, that he had grossly missed his mark with her interest in him. Then she adjusted her hands so she was holding both of his. His massive dark hands swallowed her smooth ones, and his insides shivered at her touch.
“Then I will take and cherish your heart,sa coeur, Shabib.”
