Page 21 of Scottish Rose: Coira

“I can understand why she didna like them.” Coira picked up a hunk of bread and nibbled at it. “Do ye have any siblin’s?”

“Nay. I am an only child. My father passed away ten years ago. He was a knight but held just a small amount of land and a manor house. It is where I lived before I attained Liddel Castle.”

“Where is it?” she asked.

“It is in Northumbria.”

“And do ye still own it?”

“I do. However, now that I have Liddel Castle, I will be selling it.”

“Is it important ye live in a castle?” She looked down and picked at the bread.

“Of course it is. Every knight yearns for lands of his own and the protection of castle walls. A castle is a man’s dream.”

“I dinna think it is that important. After all, gypsies raised me when my mathair died birthin’ me. I lived out in the wilderness and slept in a tent.”

“That must have been awful.” Lance picked up a skin of wine and uncorked it, holding it out to her first. She took a drink and gave it back to him.

“It was all we had. My sister, Effie, raised me.”

“Was Zara one of the gypsies that lived with you?”

“Nay,” Coira answered. “She is a friend of the MacKeefes.”

Lance nodded. “And afterward, you lived with the MacKeefes.”

“Aye. I lived with Clan MacKeefe, but often I would visit Clan MacDuff. It was nice gettin’ to meet people from my late faither’s family.”

“Then you never knew your mother or your father?”

“Nay,” she answered. “Lance, if ye grew up havin’ both parents, then ye are a lucky man, indeed.”

“I don’t consider myself lucky. Until now, that is, since I’ve married you.” He smiled and leaned over and kissed her. She liked the attention.

“Dinna ever take for granted those ye love,” she told him. “It is more important than land or a castle or anythin’ else a knight could possess.”

They finished eating, and after they cleaned up, Lance took her hand and brought her to her feet. “I have a special place to show you.”

“Where?” she asked, curiously.

“You’ll see.”

After taking care of the horses, Lance led her to the opening of a small cave. “In here,” he said.

“In there?” Instantly, fear washed over Coira. “I dinna like small, dark places.”

“There is nothing to fear,” he told her, skimming her cheek with his fingers. “I will be with you. Besides, there is light in the entrance of the cave, and we are not going far.”

“Hold my hand, Lance,” she said as they ducked and entered the cave.

Lance could see the turmoil on Coira’s face. The girl had a lot of fears, and he wanted to make sure she knew that he would protect her. “Come, Coira,” he said, leading her over to the small pool of water just inside the cave. “Look. It is like a secret place to bathe.”

“To bathe?” she asked. She glanced up and then down to the water again. “We’re no’ goin’ to get naked out here, are we?”

“Would that be so bad?”

“I dinna think I’d like that.”