I make it known I’ve taken up the sword in the name of Robert Bruce, my clansmen will stand behind me for certain.”
“You sound confident.”
“I am confident. Like you, I was orphaned at a young age. My kin sent me to Bishop Lamberton to shelter me from the English. They kent I’d receive a fine education and train to become a knight like my da. Though I left fighting, I now realize there was wisdom in their actions.”
“Aye,” she said on a sigh. “I’ve never seen a man wield a sword with as much ferocious passion as the likes of you.”
“Is that a kind way of telling me I’m brutish?”
“Nay. The way you fight reminds me of the legends of William Wallace. The question is…”
“Hmm?”
“Whether or not you have his heart.”
James gulped. Indeed, he believed he had such a heart. He’d pledged his life to Scotland and the king and he would rid the land of Edward’s vermin or die. Now he just needed to prove it to her.
They rode in silence for a time as he reflected on the enormity of the task he was to undertake. For the past ten years, he’d been driven by the intense desire to take back his father’s lands. He’d lived, breathed, and trained with an ever-growing hatred for the English king, knowing in his blood he would have vengeance. He needed to prove it to himself. Prove it to clan and kin. And when Robert the Bruce stepped forward to take the Scottish crown, James was further galvanized to prove he was worthy to his king. Now, for some reason he did not grasp, it meant the world to him to prove his worth to the wee sable-haired lass he’d only met less than a sennight ago.
Lady Ailish’s shoulders relaxed with her next exhale. “We both have our crosses to bear, do we not?”
The woman had no idea exactly how right she was.
***
The following day, Ailish decided the only good thing about this journey was having it come to an end. Riding with Sir James was difficult, painful, and frustrating. Yesterday, they’d chatted a bit and it seemed to ease the tension between them a little. But today, nothing had changed. Ailish didn’t want to say goodbye with an awkward misunderstanding dangling between them but knew the inevitable would come within hours.
It was well after midday and they’d been riding since dawn.
Trying to think of something clever to say, Ailish bit her bottom lip. She couldn’t tell him that after one silly kiss, she’d been smitten. Such a thing was not only daft, it was trifling.
She sighed, her head swimming. Oh, what a marvelous kiss it had been. If she ever experienced such rapture again, it would be nothing short of a miracle. In fact, Ailish had no illusions that her stolen kiss in the wee hours would be the one and only reckless indulgence of her lifetime. Hidden behind the walls of a nunnery, there was no chance for her to fall in love. Besides, highborn lassies never actually fell in love. As the king had alluded to in Scone, he might one day arrange for her to marry a nobleman. Then again, who knew how long this war would last? How long would it be before Harris regained their ancestral lands?
Too long.
Ailish’s brother was only nine years of age. She’d be an old spinster by the time he no longer needed her.
Again, she sighed. At least she had the memory of Sir James’ kiss and she would lock it away in her heart for the rest of her days.
As the horses crested one of Scotland’s rolling hills, a tower caught her eye. “Look. ’Tis Closburn Castle.”
“We’ll be at the priory in time for the evening meal,” said Coira, sounding immensely thrilled that their journey was coming to an end.
James slapped the reins. “Let us not delay.”
As he urged the palfry to a fast trot, Ailish threaded her fingers though the horse’s mane and held firm while her backside bounced against Sir James’ thighs—very solid, comforting thighs that she ought to be loathing at the moment.
Except she didn’t loathe anything about the man. Sitting between his thighs made her want to kiss him all the more. Made her desire him all the more.
If only he’d decided to slow down rather than make haste for Lincluden. If only he’d stop, take her into a thicket, hold her in his arms, and never let go.
But all too soon, the two stone towers of