Edward too wore a scarf, and as Christian looked around, he saw most of the people wearing Lucy’s scarves and hats.
“Be careful going home. There have been odd happenings.”
Robert sidled up to them. “Connor.”
“Aye. I owe him my life for saving me from the Johnston hanging me.” Edward grimaced.
“Do you know what’s being said about our fearsome brother?” John embraced Christian, and he knew his brother understood his feelings. For John had been alone many years before rejoining the living.
James rocked back on his heels. “’Tis said you have powerful protection.”
“From faeries,” William added.
Edward scoffed. “Nonsense.”
“Nay, brother.” Robert spoke in a low voice so the lads in the lists wouldn’t overhear them. Christian leaned forward too. He wasn’t superstitious, but what had happened…
Robert continued, “You survived Maude trying to poison you. The Armstrong and Johnston failed to kill you, and were bothkilled in your stead, and now the Scots believe you to be immortal.”
“I’d wondered why there hadn’t been any raids of late.” Edward stroked his chin. “I won’t soon forget what happened.”
“What are you lot whispering about like a bunch of gossips?” Melinda held out a parcel. “Charlotte sends her love. We all do. There’s food for a se’nnight in there. Be careful.” She kissed him on the cheek and turned to James. “I’ll remind you of this day when you call me an interfering busybody, James Rivers.”
“My shrew of a wife, how I love thee.”
She blushed. “Flatterer.”
“Go on,” Henry said.
“It was an hour or so before dawn when we were attacked. One of the Scots had seen the thief’s face and knew ’twas not me who burned.” Edward’s brother shivered. “The sky opened, the rain lashing us, then the lightning filled the sky. As I watched, Connor took an arrow through his hand, went down on one knee…” He wiped the sweat from his brow. “He vanished.”
“Now the Scots believe you ate Connor for supper and that is why they could not find his body.” William chuckled. “They may never vex you again. I shall remember this in case I needs strike terror in my enemies’ hearts.”
John gaped. “You would eat your enemy?”
“Nay.” William scoffed. “But I would make sure no one ever found the body so they thought I did.”
“Do you think the same thing happened to Connor as did your wives?” Christian paled at the thought of Connor finding himself facing the Romans.
“Mayhap. We will never know.” Henry pulled Christian into an embrace. “What an adventure he must be having. I will miss you, brother.”
Christian bade each one goodbye—his throat pained him so that he did not trust himself to speak without bawling like a babe.
Before he rode out of the gates, a commotion sounded, thedogs running out of the keep as if chased by demons from hell. Each dog was dyed a different color. One yellow, one green, and one a rather sickly shade of blue. The boys ran after them as fast as their small, chubby legs would carry them. Jennifer chased after them brandishing one of her paintbrushes.
“You little monsters, you used all of my paint.”
She came to a stop and blew the hair out of her face before turning to the group. “Did you see what they did? They painted the dogs.”
He couldn’t hold it in: Christian threw back his head and laughed as William and John narrowed their eyes.
“Your time is coming,” John said.
Elizabeth clapped a hand over her mouth, but the giggles escaped. “Maybe they were just trying to help you.”
Jennifer waved the paintbrush at her. “If you want me to make more paint for you, you’ll quit laughing, otherwise you’re out of luck.”
Elizabeth hugged her sister-in-law. “You know I’m only teasing.”
