“Aye, lad. Daenae listen to me. Ye ken I can be a bampot.”
Leo reached down to help Tyler up. The man took his hand and got to his feet, subtly running his gaze over him.
“I was comin' to yer chambers to check on ye,” Tyler admitted. “I didnae expect to see ye out in the corridor like this.”
“I didnae expect to be out like this either, but I am starvin’, and I suspect Lady MacSween is as well.”
Tyler smiled at the use of Beatrice's title. Leo was shocked at how effortlessly it rolled off his tongue.
I must like sayin’ it. I like that she’s now Lady MacSween.
“How is the freshly minted lady?” Tyler asked. “Besides starvin’.”
“Asleep for the moment.”
“Aye, there’s a laird who’s done his job well.”
Leo laughed and clapped Tyler on the shoulder.
His hunger was forgotten for a brief moment, though he realized that neither Beatrice nor he had eaten since the day before. The normal comings and goings, the day-to-day functions, had fallen by the wayside in all the excitement.
It’s hard to be hungry when one is fightin' for their life against a traitor.Or makin’ love with such passion that food isnae where their appetites lie.
“Ye heard the news about Allistair, I presume,” Leo said, his mood darkening. “I didnae get the chance to speak to ye about it.”
“Me Laird, if I kent anythin' at all regardin' that traitor?—”
Leo raised his hand, cutting him off. “Never in me life have I thought ye had an inklin' about it,” he promised. “I want to thank ye for bein' so loyal to me. For bein' the kind of man I ken I can trust and rely on.”
“Of course, me Laird. I pride meself on bein' that kind of man.”
“Do ye think ye’re the kind of man who would pride himself on bringin' the exhausted Laird and Lady a bite to eat?” Leo narrowed his eyes at him. “If ye can make sure there’s nay arsenic in it, of course.”
Tyler thumped his chest with his fist and laughed. “Aye, me Laird. I can find ye the freshest haggis and cabbage in the castle.”
Leo stepped back and then realized his cloak was hanging open. He quickly tugged it closed and shook his head as Tyler looked away, pretending not to have seen.
“And if ye daenae mind, send a maid up to me chambers to draw us a bath,” he added. “We’re in a bit of a state and could do with a bit of washin’ up.”
“Me feet have wings.” Tyler tilted forward in a diminutive bow and started the opposite way down the corridor.
Leo stood there for a moment as the man disappeared into the distance.
I am a lucky one to have such loyalty around me.
His mind drifted back to Beatrice, asleep in his chambers.
And such love waitin' for me.
He headed back to her, hardly able to keep his cloak on as he crossed the threshold and joined her in bed.
Beatrice blinked awake, unsure of where she was for a moment. This had happened too many times in MacSween Castle, but this time, she enjoyed the realization as it crystallized in her head.
I am in Leo’s chambers. I am in Leo’s bed.
She glanced around the room, and her heart lurched at being left alone again. It was hard to remind herself that this was different, that he must have just gone somewhere for a moment and would be right back.
The door opened as she propped herself up on her elbows. There was a split second where she contemplated covering her nakedness with a sheet, but before she even had a chance to, Leo walked inside, his eyes landing on her instantly.
