Page 90 of Defy the Highlander

“Do ye like working for my wife?” he asked.

Amy hesitated before finally shaking her head. “If there was something else I could do here at Hawkhill, m’laird, I would do it.”

“There is,” he said. “Ye can serve me. I’ve had no one since yer husband and Colm Galston left me. Would ye dust my solar and bring me hot wine when I ask?”

Amy beamed. “I would, m’laird,” she said. “I have a son – Robert’s son – who would be very good in service tae ye, as well. He would be very happy tae.”

“Good,” Laird Currie said, turning back for his solar. “Bring the little lad, too. Ye can both serve me. Does the lad play chess?”

Amy shook her head. “Nay, but he’s very bright, m’laird,” she said. “Ye can teach him.”

Laird Currie paused, a smile on his lips. “I’d like that.”

“I think he would, too, m’laird.”

As it turned out, Tynan beat Laird Currie with his very first game.

The old man couldn’t have been happier.

PART FOUR

HOMINIBUS GLORIA

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

Falkirk

It was very late and Aethon, for all its spirit, had tired quickly. Now, it was a hot and sweaty mess, snorting its exhaustion as Brody and Lilia rode into the small village of Falkirk. It had been a long ride and the horse was understandably spent.

Lilia, after her strenuous day, had fallen asleep against Brody’s back. He could feel her, limp and boneless as they rode along. Both of her arms were around his waist and he held her hands at his belly to keep her from falling off, but when they stopped at a livery on the edge of town, he finally had to wake her. She groaned.

“My arms,” she muttered. “They feel as if a thousand pins are sticking them.”

He grinned as he dismounted the horse, pulling her off behind him. Her satchel fell to the earth because it had been on her lap, held between them as they’d ridden along, and she bent over to pick it up as she shook out her arms.

“Did ye sleep well?” he asked as he handed the exhausted horse over to the livery owner. “The horse isna exactly smooth in its gait.”

Lilia clutched her satchel to her, covering her mouth as she yawned. “I never felt it,” she said. “I suppose I was too weary tae care.”

He reached out, taking her by the elbow. “Just a little while longer and I’ll find ye a good bed for the night.”

He took her out into the crisp night. There were torches lit throughout the town and the smell of cooking fires was heavy in the air.

“Where are we going?” she asked.

He pointed straight ahead. “Tae the church,” he said. “That’s St. Andrew’s; when I came down from the Highlands, I passed through this very town, so I knew the church was here. I’m going tae marry ye.”

She looked at him in surprise. “Now?”

“Now. Unless ye have any objection.”

Lilia shook her head, unable to keep the smile off her face. “Nay,” she said. “I… I suppose with everything that’s happened, I’d nearly forgotten.”

“I havena.”

She giggled. Taking her hand, Brody led her down the darkened street, heading for the small parish of St. Andrew’s. To their right, a broad but short avenue ended in a two-storied tavern. Beams of light emitted from the windows and they could hear the soft hum of laughter and conversation. But they continued on until they came to the church, which was mostly dark at this hour. Only a few torches among the arches gave forth light into the night.

Brody rapped on the church door.