But the truth was he dreaded Leila’s inevitable departure.
Or worse, her need to become a whore to survive.He could not let that happen.He must find her a spouse, a man of honor who would treat her well.He owed her that much, to be sure, but he would have to decide quickly.
As Fergus strode through the village, his chest was tight at the familiarity of it all.He had been glad when the villagers spilled forth to welcome him home, and greeted them, each and every one.The sight of his father at the portal to the keep had been a more profound relief than Fergus could have believed possible.
He had feared that the shadow he sensed might have been his father’s death.To see Calum hale and laughing, if a little more white of hair than silver, if leaning a little more on his cane than before, was the most welcome sight in all the world.
“Father!”Fergus embraced his father, feeling a new frailty in the older man.It made him feel protective of his father and doubly determined to never leave home again.
“My boy,” Calum said with obvious pleasure.“My boy, home again, just as promised.”He shook his head, then surveyed Fergus with pleasure.“A boy no longer, but still one to keep his every promise.”He ruffled Fergus’ hair as if he were a small boy, though he had to stretch upward to do it.
“Of course!”Fergus agreed.“And I have brought you gifts...”
“The only gift I need is you by my side,” his father declared.His eyes lit as he glanced over the company.“And with such a noble escort.”Calum greeted the Templars in careful French as they bowed deeply before him.
“It was the command of our grand master that our comrade Fergus be escorted to his home, after his exemplary service,” Enguerrand said, using the tale they had agreed upon.
“Indeed?”Calum lifted a brow.“You shall have to tell me of your exploits, my son.”
“Of course, Father.”
“Did I hear correctly about Kerr?”his father asked in a murmur.
“You did,” Fergus agreed, recounting another tale they had agreed upon.“We were beset by thieves outside of Venice and Kerr paid the price.”He did not like lying to his father, but he and Duncan had resolved that there was nothing to be gained by revealing Kerr’s deceptive nature after the boy’s demise.
Calum’s lips thinned.“Someone will have to deliver that news,” he said beneath his breath and Fergus nodded.
“I will tell Isobel, of course.”In truth, Fergus was more concerned with the sight before him.Duncan was approaching with Leila, and Fergus could not look away from her.His heart leaped to see her eyes sparkling as she jested with Duncan and her laughter was merry.She wore the dark green kirtle that Radegunde had given to her and a cloak of wool in a deep golden hue.Her boots were plain and sturdy, and she had not a gem to her name, but she was radiant all the same.
Surely, he could find a husband who would treat her with the honor she deserved?
“And Duncan returned with you, as well.”Calum embraced Duncan like another son and not like the hired man-at-arms he was.
“I pledged to return him hale to you, my lord, and so it is done,” Duncan said.
“And so you did, and so you did.Never did a laird have a more honorable warrior sworn to his cause.I thank you, Duncan.”
The back of Duncan’s neck turned ruddy at this praise, but Calum gave him no opportunity to reply.The older man gave his cane to Fergus and clasped Duncan’s shoulders in his hands.“I welcome you to Killairic as a guest on this occasion, Duncan, for I do not doubt our wager has been repaid time and again between here and Outremer.”Calum smiled.“Indeed, I am now obligated to you.I owe you much, Duncan, for taking this ruffian into your custody and bringing him home again.”
“The honor was mine, my lord,” Duncan said, apparently unable to keep himself from bowing.“I am as pleased as you to see him safely returned home.”
Fergus was aware that Leila could not understand what his father and Duncan were saying, but did not know how to gracefully translate for her without drawing attention to the fact that she was Saracen.
But then, he supposed that was no secret, with her golden skin and dark hair.She looked exotic and had been increasingly the focus of attention since their departure from Paris.The villagers eyed her with wonder, and he guessed there was speculation in their whispers.
Was her inevitable departure at root of his portent?
His father was hale, which was a relief, but the shadow had not dissipated.
“And who is this flower of the east?”Calum asked, switching from Gaelic to French.He gestured to Leila.“Is this your companion, Duncan?Dare I hope that you have lost your heart and mean to plan a future as a wedded man?”
Leila flushed and lowered her gaze, her dark lashes sweeping over her cheeks in a gesture so feminine that it stole Fergus’ breath away.
“I am not so fortunate a man as to have won this beauty,” Duncan said with a rare flourish.“This is Leila...”
Leila interrupted him smoothly.“I am Leila binte Qadir lufti al-Ramm, sir,” she said, bowing low before Fergus’ father.“I am honored to meet you.”
Fergus knew he was not the only one astonished by her full name.Why had he never asked her what it was before?Murdoch Olafson stepped forward, perhaps to ensure he had a better view of Leila, and Fergus granted that old warrior a hard look.
