Highland Defender

by Kathryn Le Veque

  Her concern turned to warmth and she sat next to the head of his bed, her arm across his shoulders. “I am,” she assured him. “For a man tae do what ye’ve set out tae do, for a woman ye havena known very long… Of course I’m proud of ye. There’s something between us that was forged strong from nearly the moment we met. I felt so much pity for ye because ye seemed so…defeated. I wanted tae help ye, so I did.”

  He had his arm up in such a way that his right hand was on her head, gently stroking her hair.

  “I know,” he said. “But I told ye before that ye gave me hope. Now ye’ve given me purpose. Ye’re my purpose, Lucia. The men from the Ludus Caledonia tell me that they can change my life and I want tae do that, but only if ye’re a part of it. The hope, the change, the future…they mean nothing without ye.”

  Lucia was deeply touched by his words. “After this time apart, ye’ve not changed yer mind?”

  Bane didn’t know why he felt indignant about that question. He also felt sad, as if somehow he’d caused her to mistrust his motives. Even though the physic had given him a potion for the pain that was making him sleepy, he abruptly sat up, wincing when his wound pulled. He sat on the edge of the bed, looking down at Lucia as she sat beside him.

  “I’ve not changed my mind,” he said firmly. “I realize that everything I’ve done seems like a rash decision but I assure ye, there’s nothing rash about it. I dunna make foolish decisions, so it wouldna matter if we spent two weeks apart or two years. I would never change my mind about ye. Is that in any way unclear?”

  Lucia shook her head slowly. “It is clear.”

  “Then I dunna want tae hear doubt in yer voice again.”

  “I promise. Never again.”

  As he looked down at her, he felt guilty for being stern with her. He knew how abrupt all of this looked. He’d barely known the woman a week before he was making life-changing declarations.

  But he meant every word.

  He wanted her to know that.

  Reaching down, Bane pulled her to her knees, cupping her face in both of his big, battered hands. His lips moved to her cheek, gently, his nose inhaling the scent of her skin. There was something about smelling her that drove him wild. The hands on her cheeks began to caress her, feeling her silken flesh against his fingers. It had been years since he’d tasted a woman he wanted to taste, and the feel of her, the scent of her, was overwhelming. His lips began to move along her jawline.

  Lucia felt his hot, gentle kisses and her body began to tremble. His touch had an intoxicating effect and she could feel herself surrendering as his mouth moved across her chin. He was close to her lips, but he didn’t kiss her mouth; instead, he continued across her jaw to her other cheek.

  It was titillating, gentle, and passionate as his kisses moved across one eye and then the other. Lucia quivered, feeling every kiss like a thousand pinpricks of joy, waiting for the magic moment when he would claim her lips with his own.

  Bane was moving in that direction and the more he tasted, the more his control was lost. She was warm and delicious, better than he had ever tasted in his life. He didn’t realize until he touched her how starved he was for her flesh. Finally, he slanted his mouth hungrily over hers, his hands entwining in her hair to hold her fast against him.

  In his grip, Lucia gasped at the delight of his touch. She was wildly aroused by it. It felt like the most natural of things, his lips against hers, his hands in her hair. She knew she could learn to love it. Her arms snaked around his neck and she pulled him close.

  Her response to him fed Bane’s lust. He removed his hands from her hair and wrapped his big arms around her body, pulling her up against him and trying to be mindful of his wound. It ached, but not as much as the ache in his heart for Lucia. His tongue licked at her lips, silently encouraging her to admit him, and she timidly opened her mouth. He invaded her with his tongue, tasting her sweetness and losing himself completely.

  Lucia held on to him tightly as he flipped her onto her back, laying her on the small bed and covering her with his enormous body. His arms, massive strong things, were around her but she could feel his hands moving, caressing her, exploring her back and her torso. She was relishing everything about it when his hand began to move across her belly, up toward her breasts.

  Lucia could feel him getting closer, finally stroking the underside of her right breast. As exciting as it was, it was also intimidating. If she let herself go, she knew there would be no end to their passion. It would go on until he took her innocence. When he moved to enclose her breast in his palm, she put up a hand and stopped him.

  “Bane,” she murmured, tearing her mouth away from his. “I dunna think… Someone might come in and catch us.”

  Bane had been far gone with passion. But as she spoke, he came to his senses enough to realize he was moving toward intimate places. He further realized that he fully intended to bed the woman. There was no question in his mind. But as he pulled back and gazed into her beautiful face, his ardor cooled.

  “Forgive me,” he whispered. “I shouldna have taken such liberties but… Lucia, I canna explain what I feel for ye. All I know is that…that I love ye, my angel.”

  Lucia sighed at the sound of his words, feeling them ring a chord within her. “When ye were going intae the arena, I thought that’s what ye said tae me.”

  “It was.”

  Reaching up, she touched his face. “I’ve never had anyone tell me that, not even my da,” she said. “I…I dunna know what tae say.”

  He fingered a strand of chestnut-colored hair. “I told ye that I love ye and I want tae marry ye. Tell me ye’ll at least give me the opportunity tae earn yer love in return.”

  His vulnerability was apparent. This big, strong warrior had a tender side. Leaning into him, she sweetly kissed his cheek.

  “I dunna need tae,” she whispered. “Ye already have it. I canna explain it, Bane, but whatever feelings have grown between us are something stronger than I’ve ever known. As if it was meant tae be.”

  A smile flickered on his lips. “I feel the same way.”

  Lucia returned his smile before kissing him gently, twice. “I wish I could stay and talk tae ye all night, but I’m afraid Lady Currie may be on the prowl,” she said. Then her smile faded. “Bane, she saw ye tonight. She even went tae Clegg de Lave tae ask about ye. I told ye that she comes tae the Cal tae find men tae pleasure her, and I fear now that she’s seen ye, she’ll try tae buy yer favors. What will ye do?”

  The warmth in his eyes faded and he sat up, gingerly, pulling Lucia up with him. “I’ll refuse, of course,” he said. “It was one of the questions I asked Sir Clegg. I wanted tae know if I had any choice in the matter if a woman tried tae buy me. He told me that men have free will in such matters, so I’ll refuse. ’Tis as simple as that.”

  “But she’ll offer ye a good deal of money. Mayhap more than a fight purse.”

  “It doesna matter. I belong tae one woman, my angel—ye. There is no one else.”

  She was greatly relieved to hear him say that. Swinging her legs over the side of the bed, she stood up and smoothed at her skirt.

  “Let me go and see tae Lady Currie,” she said. “If she’s busy with someone, then I’ll return tae ye. But if not, I’m sure we’ll return tomorrow night. I’ll see ye then. Oh—and there is something else I forgot tae tell ye. I spoke with Laird Currie, and he told me that my debt is nearly paid. He said another two pounds should be enough.”

  Bane appeared pleasantly surprised. “Is that all? Then it shouldna take too long tae get the money together.”

  “He said he would release me if he could. He’s going tae speak tae Lady Currie about it again.”

  “Even better. Then we can marry and ye can come tae live here with me.”

  She looked at him, confused. “But why here? Why would ye stay?”

  He sighed faintly, drea
ding what he was about to tell her. “Because I gave an oath that I’d stay for the full term,” he said. “They know I’m here tae earn money tae buy yer freedom, but they also told me that they expect a vow from me if they’re tae train me and provide me with opportunity.”

  She understood, sort of. “But how long?”

  “Seven years.”

  Her eyes widened. “Seven years? We must stay here for seven years? Bane, that’s as bad as being forced intae servitude with Lady Currie. When will our lives become our own?”

  He could see that she was getting upset and he put his arms around her, pulling her into a warm embrace. But he also knew that she had a point.

  “Mayhap it willna be a full seven years,” he said soothingly. “I dunna want ye tae worry over it. One day at a time, my angel.”

  She nodded but she wasn’t comforted. She was gravely concerned over a seven-year commitment. “If ye say so.”

  “I do.” He kissed her on the head before standing up wearily, his hand on his wrapped wound. “Now, I’ll escort ye from the camp. Ye’ll not walk alone around here.”

  She shook her head and tried to push him back onto the bed. “I can find my way,” she said. “Ye needna worry about me. I can take care of myself.”

  He acted as if he didn’t hear her. There was a tunic hanging on a peg near the door and he pulled it on, grunting with the pain the movement caused him.

  “Dunna be ridiculous,” he said. “I’ll escort ye and no argument.”

  She stood her ground. “If Lady Currie sees us together, I’ll pay the price. Is that what ye want?”

  His eyes narrowed. “She’ll not see us. I’ll walk ye tae the edge.”

  “But—”

  “Shut yer yap. The first thing ye need tae learn is not tae argue with me.”

  “Is that so?”

  “’Tis.”

  She scowled at him a moment longer before losing the fight against a grin. Rolling her eyes, she threw open the cottage door.

  “Very well,” she sighed sharply. “Come along, then. Ye’re the walking wounded, but who am I tae tell ye tae stay in bed?”

  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?”

  Lucia relished his embrace one last time for the night. “It does.”

  “Good.”

  True to his word, Bane walked her to the edge of the village before seeing her off as she headed back toward the arena. Lucia 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 Bane Morgan had been denied her. She finally ended up with the blond novicius named Warenne, whom she took back to her carriage.

  With Lucia and Amy waiting outside the carriage, it was quite obvious what the pair was up to.

  Chapter Seventeen

  “Ye sent for me, m’laird?”

  Lor 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, Lor,” 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 Defender against the Eagle.”

  Lor grinned. “It was quite a match.”

  Clegg nodded firmly. “Indeed, it was,” he said. “I expected a show from the Eagle, but the Highland Defender 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.”

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

  “That is true,” Lor said. “Up until then, Bane 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.”

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

  “He’s a proud man.”

  “He is, m’laird.” Lor 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,” Lor said. “I dunna believe his battle confidence was lost, but something else. Mayhap confidence in himself, in his own judgment. 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.”

  Lor 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,” Lor 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 Bane against the Eagle again tomorrow night. I’d wager tae say the gambling pools will be high with a rematch.”

  “But Bane was injured tonight.”

  Lor shook his head. “I saw the wound and I dunna believe it was too terrible. I’ve seen worse.”

  “I am pleased to hear that, but I’d rather have time to advertise such a rematch to guarantee a large crowd,” Clegg said. “Tonight was just a foretaste. We’ll move the Eagle and the Highland Defender up to a major bout.”

  “With a big purse?”

  “Indeed.”

  Lor grinned. “Good,” he said. “But meanwhile, it might be a good idea tae test Bane again tae make sure his fight against the Eagle wasna an accident. The true test of skill will come the second time around.”

  Clegg nodded. “Excellent idea,” he said. “If he’s up to it, let him fight tomorrow night. I will tell Axel to pin a small purse on the bout and see if the lure of money drives the Highland Defender even harder.”

  Lor agreed. “My guess is that it will.”

  Clegg grinned with a mouthful of wine-stained teeth. “Care to wager on that, Lor? Do you have enough faith in your Highland Defender to place money on him?”

  “I do.”

  “Good. But do not tell Isabail. I do not wish to rile the mother of my godson.”

  Lor laughed softly. “Nor do I,” he said. “It will be our secret, m’laird.”

  “I hope Bane is as good as you think he is.”

  Lor’s smile faded as he thought on the prideful, stubborn, and somewhat mysterious Highland Defender.

  “So do I, m’laird,” he said quietly. “So do I.”

  * * *

  Bane was just falling asleep when there was a soft knock on the door. Thinking Lucia had returned, he quickly sat up.

  “Come,” he said.

  The door creaked open but the person entering was not Lucia. It was the warrior called the Eagle.

  Magnus Stewart shut the door quietly behind him and faced Bane.

  “Well?” he said, looking Bane over. “Will ye heal?”

  Bane eyed the man, clearly mistrustful
of him. “It seems so,” he said. “What are ye doing here?”

  Magnus rested his fists on his narrow hips. “I came to see how ye were,” he said. “It was a brutal fight between us. Much longer than usual. Ye’re good, Defender. Where did ye learn tae fight?”

  Bane wasn’t entirely sure if the man was trying to be friendly or simply nosy. Perhaps both. Or perhaps he was even trying to determine if Bane was too weak to continue fighting. In any case, Bane wasn’t comfortable with the man in his cottage. The door had a lock on it and he should have used it, but thinking that Lucia might come back, he hadn’t bothered.

  Now he was regretting that decision.

  “I’m from the Highlands,” he said. “We learn tae fight when we are born. And ye?”

  “Near Stirling,” he said. “But I, too, learned tae fight young. Not many hold out against me.”

  “Nor me.”

  Magnus continued to stare at him. Then he cracked a smile. “I’ll admit something tae ye,” he said. “It was a miracle I was able tae pull the blade on ye at the end. I thought for sure ye were going tae cripple me.”

  Bane thought that sounded suspiciously like a compliment. “Ye like tae kick a man in the head, don’t ye? Ye’ve done it tae me twice. There willna be a third time.”

  Magnus’s smile faded. “I’ve learned tae strike hard and strike fast.”

  “How long have ye been with Clegg and his fight guilds? I hear there’s more than one.”

  Magnus nodded. “There are five,” he said. “Besides the Ludus Caledonia, there is the Ludus Hadrian, the Ludus Antonine, the Ludus Trimontium, and the Ludus Valentia.”

  Bane had no idea there were more than two guild locations, and his eyebrows lifted in surprise. “That many?”

  Magnus shifted on his big legs. “Some are larger, some are smaller. The Ludus Caledonia is the largest, and the Ludus Valentia is the smallest.” He moved away from the door, going to the only stool in the cottage, and planted his body upon it. “And in answer tae yer question, I’ve been here a little over three years.”

  Bane was starting to relax a little in the man’s presence. It seemed to him that the man simply wanted to talk. “Has it been worth it tae ye?” he asked. “Knowing what ye know now, I mean. Would ye do it all over again?”