Payne looked at him, shaking his head. “Nay, I dinna,” he said softly. “There was no need.”
“Did Santiago know?”
“Nay,” Payne said. “He considers Bloody Maude an enemy. And I like the man. I dinna want him tae consider me an enemy, also, so please dunna tell him.”
Sinclair understood. It was true that he’d married Santiago de Fernandez’s cousin and was therefore part of Santiago’s pirate family, so he understood more than anyone what it meant to be linked to someone with an unsavory reputation. He was truly at a loss with this stunning information.
“But why not?” he wanted to know. “Payne, surely you know we would not judge you for such a thing. Why keep such a secret?”
“Sinclair,” St. Denis snapped softly. “Quiet. I want to speak with Payne.”
As Sinclair backed off, Payne took a deep breath for courage, facing St. Denis as the man stood up from his chair and came toward him.
“Now you will tell me everything,” St. Denis said when their eyes met. “No more withholding important information. I believe that every man is entitled to his secrets, but not when those secrets threaten Blackchurch. Do you understand me?”
Payne nodded. “Aye, m’laird.”
“Tell me about your mother,” St. Denis said. “Whyis she coming here?”
Payne shook his head. “I do not know and that is the truth,” he said. “I’ve not seen my mother in about ten years, well before I came tae Blackchurch. Since we are speaking of truths, my truth is that I was raised by my father. I am his heir and he dinna want me tae go tae sea with my mother, who had inherited Medusa’s Disciples from her father. It is her legacy. She took my younger brothers with her while I remained with my da. I trained as a knight in Northern England and served the Scottish king until I made the decision tae come tae Blackchurch. Ye know I came here only tae be a Blackchurch-trained warrior, but somehow, I ended up being a teacher instead. It is the best thing I’ve ever done and I’d like tae keep doing it.”
There was a plea there. St. Denis could see that. In fact, he could see a great many things in Payne’s expression that he’d never seen before. The man wasn’t the serious type unless he was teaching or killing because most of the time, he conveyed someone who was passionate about life, jovial, extremely loyal, and sometimes even foolish. In great contrast to that character, he could also do mathematics in his head almost instantly, could recall the smallest detail from five years ago, and had a head for money and finances that most men didn’t. Aye, he was a paradox, but never in his wildest dreams could St. Denis have imagined that Payne was the son of one of the most feared pirates in the western seas. There was depth to the Highlander that not even he knew.
Perhaps that made him see the man a little differently now.
“No one says you will not continue in your current position,” St. Denis said, backing down a little. “Your loss would be massively felt here at Blackchurch, so I have no intention of releasing you. But I want to know why Bloody Maude is coming here, Payne. Surely you can understand that.”
Payne nodded, feeling a good deal of relief in St. Denis’ statement. He visibly relaxed, trying not to let the plethora of emotions overwhelm him.
“I do, m’laird,” he said. “But given that I’ve not seen her in ten years, I’m curious as well. Would ye like me tae ride out and meet her before she arrives? Mayhap I can discover what this is all about.”
It wasn’t a bad idea. St. Denis leapt at the suggestion. “I would agree to that,” he said quickly. “Creston, what road is she on?”
Creston came forward. “The old bishop’s road from the east,” he said, pointing. “I would like to ride with Payne, my lord.”
“And me,” Cruz said quickly.
Men began stepping forward, quickly volunteering—Sinclair, Fox, Tay, Aamir, Ming Tang, Kristian, and Bowen. Every trainer in the chamber. They were all demanding to ride escort, and St. Denis raised his hand to silence them.
“I know you are deeply loyal to one another, but since this is the first time Payne has seen his mother in years, he would probably like to go alone,” he said, looking at Payne. “Do you?”
Payne nodded, but he was looking at his friends. “Ye know I’d kill or die for ye, but Lord Exmoor is right,” he said. “I should go alone. I dunna know why she’s coming, so we should be vigilant. Creston, Cruz, I’ll take ye with me, since ye’ve already scouted the area. Ye know it. But stay out of sight. Dunna let her see ye.”
Creston and Cruz were pleased that they would be accompanying him, already heading to the door so they could get to the stables and claim their horses. As they quickly filtered out, Payne turned to the collection of friends behind him.
“She willna hurt me,” he said quietly. “But not knowing why she’s come, I canna guarantee yer safety. My mother and I have shared a complicated relationship, as ye can imagine. The last time I saw her, she told me that I was dead tae her becauseI wouldna go tae sea. And that’s, mayhap, why I dinna tell ye about her. I never thought I’d see her, or hear from her, again. But here she is—and I will admit that I’m curious.”
Tay forced a smile, though he was clearly disappointed he hadn’t made the cut to play escort. “Understandable,” he said. “No need to explain. We shall await your return.”
Payne nodded, smiling weakly as his friends departed the chamber, one after the other. When the room was finally empty of everyone other than Payne, St. Denis, and St. Sebastian, Payne turned to the Earl of Exmoor.
“They willna stay here,” he muttered. “Ye know they’ll find a way tae follow me.”
St. Denis sighed in resignation. “I know,” he said. “I cannot stop them. They’re running for the stables as we speak. But do make sure your mother does not try to cut off vital body parts, will you?”
Payne chuckled. “First, I must ensure she doesna try tae do it tae me.”
“Are you concerned?”
