Page 56 of Defy the Highlander

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.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

“Ye sent for me, m’laird?”

Cam was standing in the doorway of Clegg’s grand viewing box with its odd smells and rich furnishings. Clegg, wrapped up in furs against the cold, waved him in.

“Come, Cam,” he said. “Come in and close the door, although that seems ridiculous considering I’ve got two wide-open bays from which to watch the games that let the cold air in. Tonight, it was worth it, however.”

“What do ye mean?”

“The Highland Protector against The Eagle.”

Cam grinned. “It was quite a match.”

Clegg nodded firmly. “Indeed, it was,” he said. “I expected a show from The Eagle, but the Highland Protector was a surprise. The man has a great amount of skill.”

“He does, m’laird. He told us that he was a great warrior for his clan and we have seen that he was telling the truth.”

“Indeed, he was,” Clegg said. “How has he been in training? I heard that he and The Eagle became acquainted this afternoon.”

“That is true,” Cam said. “Up until then, Brody had behaved as if training was beneath him.”

“I know,” Clegg said. “Axel told me. You know he likes to cut down men with that kind of attitude.”

Cam nodded. “Aye, he does. And he did it effectively when he paired Brody with The Eagle. I think that was Brody’s first taste of defeat and, surprisingly, he seems tae have taken it tae heart.”

“He’s a proud man.”

“He is, indeed, m’laird.” Cam paused a moment before continuing. “I had a long talk with him this afternoon about it and discovered there’s something more behind that pride. It seems that he disobeyed a command and ended up getting men killed. That seemed tae destroy something in him. He hopes tae find it again here.”

Clegg lingered on that thought as he went to pour himself more hot wine. “He’s not afraid to hold a sword.”

“Not at all,” Cam said. “I dunna believe his battle confidence was lost, but something else. Mayhap confidence in himself, in his own judgement. That may be why he seems so prideful. He doesna want us tae see his weakness.”

Clegg took a sip of his hot wine. “From what I saw tonight, he has no weakness. He’s an excellent warrior and, to be truthful, I am not sure we can teach him more than he already knows.”

Cam shrugged. “Possibly,” he said. “But he dinna come here tae learn tae fight. He came tae make money.”

“I remember. He wants to buy his lady’s freedom.”

“He does,” Cam said. “And he fought admirably tonight, as ye said. It was quite a bout.”

“Very exciting. We made a good deal of money on it, I’m told.”

“Then pit Brody against The Eagle again tomorrow night. I’d wager tae say the gambling pools will be high with a rematch.”

“But Brody was injured tonight.”