When the sky began to lighten in the east, she slipped from the bed.She washed and dressed, quickly and in silence, then took the small rug Calum had given to her and left the solar.She hesitated a moment, then locked the door behind herself, reasoning that she would be back before Fergus awakened.
She was glad of her choice, for she saw Agnes sleeping on a pallet in the kitchens.She continued to the garden, where the plants were lush and wet after the rain.
There was a stone bench there, aligned with the rising sun.Leila spread her small rug over it and kneeled to pray.With all her heart, she hoped that her husband would come to love her, though on this morning, it seemed that a miracle would be required for that to occur.
Fergus awakenedto a knocking upon the solar door.Leila was gone and he was alone in the great bed.
“My lady?”Agnes said from the other side of the door.“Would you like to bathe, my lady?”
Fergus swung out of bed and dug in his baggage for fresh braies.“Agnes?”he asked as he went to the door.
“Aye, my lord.I am sorry for I did not mean to disturb you...”
Fergus tried the latch but the door was locked.
Of course.He sighed and pushed a hand through his hair.“My lady has taken the key with her, Agnes.Could you find her, please?”
“Of course, my lord.Right away, my lord.”
Fergus leaned back against the door as Agnes’ steps sounded on the stairs.He appreciated that Leila was protective of the reliquary, but they were home, not forced to take shelter in an inn where they knew none of the other occupants.Even so, it was locked securely in the treasury, so there was little need for the solar to be locked as well.
He had seen Leila’s resolve, though, and wanted her to have time to gain confidence in those who lived at Killairic.Doubtless, she was winning hearts already this morn, while he lingered abed.Had he ever met a woman of such determination?Fergus smiled, knowing he had not and feeling blessed that Leila was his wife.He would have the silversmith copy the keys this very day and surrender one to his father’s care.
Leila should find that acceptable.
In the meantime, he yawned mightily and returned to bed.It was too early to rise after his ride of the day before, so Fergus burrowed beneath the pelts and covers.He thought fleetingly of his nightmare, but then he smelled the scent of Leila’s pleasure, smiled and fell asleep with contentment.
Leila.
By the timeshe finished her prayers, Leila was aware that she was no longer alone.
She stood and rolled up the small rug, before turning.It was Murdoch who leaned against the wall of the keep, his gaze bright and watchful.He stepped out of the shadows and bowed, clearly not wishing to surprise her.
But surprise her, he did, for he addressed her in Arabic.
“Good morning, Lady Leila.”
Leila was struck by a bout of yearning for her uncle’s home that nearly took her to her knees again.She straightened and returned the warrior’s greeting, reminding herself that Killairic would now be her home.
She stifled her doubts.
“At the risk of impertinence, I would suggest you turn a little more to the right.Mecca is further south than you seem to believe.”
Leila blinked, then remembered Calum’s story.“You journeyed from Palestine with my lord husband’s father.”
“I did, though I was there many more years than he.”His expression lightened but he did not exactly smile.“Long enough to learn your tongue.”
“You speak it well.”
“And yet I fear I have forgotten much.I beg your indulgence.”
“You have it, surely.”Leila made to return to the keep, but Murdoch stepped forward.Her gaze flew to his face, though she found his expression inscrutable.
“In truth, I sought the opportunity to speak with you.”
Leila had a moment to realize that they were alone, that no one knew her location and that she knew little of this man before Murdoch cleared his throat and continued.
“Calum is a good man and a better laird,” he said quietly.“But his health is not what it was.”
