Page 71 of Defy the Highlander

“Ye must never, ever mention Brody’s name here at Hawkhill,” she said. “Never speak of him, not even tae me. And if ye ever see him here, ye must never acknowledge that ye know him. Can ye do that?”

Tynan frowned. Brody was his friend and Lilia’s words were confusing, but he nodded. “Canna I even talk tae him?”

Lilia shook her head. “Nay,” she said. “M’lady might hear and if she does, she will do terrible things. Or Colly will. We must never speak of Brody again. I know ye dunna understand why, but ye must trust me. Please?”

The boy nodded solemnly. “Aye.”

Her smile returned and she pinched him gently on the cheek. She was about to pick her cup up again when Lady Currie was suddenly in the doorway.

“Lilia,” she said sharply. “Come with me. And bring the orange silk you are working on.”

Lilia was on her feet, garment in hand as she quickly followed Lady Currie into her warm, fragrant chamber. She wondered with horror if the woman had heard her speaking to Tynan about Brody and she braced herself for what was surely to come. Lady Currie was in a snit and, surely, Lilia was going to take the brunt of it.

“Is the orange silk ready for me to wear tonight?” Lady Currie demanded. “Let me see it.”

Lilia held it up to her. “I’m not finished with the embroidery, m’lady,” she said. “It is very delicate work.”

Lady Currie looked at the beautiful embroidery all along the neckline. “Aye, it is,” she said, her crisp manner softening as she inspected the stunning work. “It is quite lovely, Lilia.”

“I am sorry it is not ready tae wear yet, m’lady.”

Lady Currie handed the dress back to her, taking a deep breath before plopping down on a cushioned bench at her dressing table.

“You did not know I wanted to wear it tonight,” she said. Then, she snorted ironically. “I did not even know I wanted to wear it. Forgive me for being sharp with you, Lilia. It has been a trying day with Laird Currie.”

Lilia was coming to realize that the woman hadn’t heard her conversation with Tynan and relief swept her.

“May I get ye something, then?” she asked. “More wine? Something tae eat, mayhap?”

Lady Currie was staring at herself in her big, polished glass mirror that had come all the way from London. “Nay,” she said, sinking into melancholy as Colly rushed in from another room. Having heard her mistress’ voice, she had come running. “Nothing to eat. But I do want to wear something beautiful tonight to The Cal. What do you think I should wear?”

Before Lilia could answer, Colly interjected. “If ye’re going tae The Cal tonight, ye should rest before ye go, lamb,” she said. “Lay down and I’ll rub yer head. Ye like that.”

But Lady Currie waved her off. “I do not want to lie down,” she said. “I want to dress beautifully. Like a bride. Lilia, what do you think about the pale blue silk?”

Lilia knew the dress. “It is very thin for this cold weather, m’lady,” she said. “Unless ye wear the ermine with it. Ye’ll freeze if ye dunna.”

Lady Currie flicked her hand at her. “Bring me the blue silk and my ermine cape,” she said. “I will wear those tonight. We are going to the Ludus Caledonia and we must be dressed like queens.”

Lilia was moving to the massive wardrobe in Lady Currie’s chamber, one of three that held her expensive clothing.

“Is there something special tonight, m’lady?” Lilia asked.

Lady Currie was looking at herself in the mirror. Staring at herself, really. Picking up a brush, she began to stroke her soft, red hair.

“Special? Aye,” she said after a moment. “I have Laird Currie’s agreement. We are going tonight to purchase Brody McKay’s contract for Hawkhill.”

Lilia had the doors of the wardrobe open wide, closing her eyes at the realization that Lady Currie planned to execute her scheme sooner rather than later. “I see, m’lady,” she said, trying not to sound distraught. God, this can’t be happening! “The laird… agreed with ye, did he?”

Lady Currie nodded. “He did,” she said. “I was able to convince my stupid husband that we need an experienced warrior and he told me that he would give me the money. Tonight, I will purchase Brody’s contract from Clegg and he will become mine to do with as I please.”

Lilia’s hands were quivering as she pulled forth the blue silk. So much rage and horror was bubbling up inside of her that she was sickened by it, struggling not to reveal her true feelings. She knew what would happen if Lady Currie knew of her relationship with Brody. She knew the woman would put her through hell.

But the situation had become so much more than Lady Currie purchasing Brody.

Now, there was also the matter of those two pounds for her freedom.

Even if Brody purchased her freedom, she’d be right back where she was – living under Lady Currie’s roof while Lady Currie ordered Brody to pleasure her. And Lilia would have to stand by and watch it happen. Servants were not permitted any free will; they did as they were told. By purchasing Brody, Lady Currie removed the protection of the Ludus Caledonia, the protection that had given him free will to deny Lady Currie’s propositions.