His aunt fixed him with a look.“And if ever there was a soul less likely to come to the aid of others against a party of bandits, Kerr it was.”
“Mhairi!”
“Hamish does not have to reply.I know the truth in my own heart.”Mhairi raised her cup.“And so we should drink to the health of Laird Fergus, whose heart is so good that he sees only the merit in others.Bless him for his kindness in concealing whatever truth there was about Kerr.There is naught to be gained in sharing a man’s wickedness once he is dead.”
They drank the toast in silence, which Hamish supposed was a good indication that they all agreed.
“But a Saracen bride?Now that is not a matter that will pass unchallenged,” Mhairi said once she had drained her cup.
“Why should any challenge it?”Hamish asked.“Surely Laird Fergus can take whoever he desires to wife?”
“Surely he can, but the king must invest him with the seal when the old laird passes,” Rodney said.
“Do you truly believe that when kings call for a crusade against the Saracens that they will suffer an infidel to be wedded to one of their lords?”Mhairi shook her head and filled the cups again.“I think not.”
“But Leila is good and kind.”
Mhairi pursed her lips.“She seemed pleasant enough on her wedding night, but I suppose any woman would be glad to wed Laird Fergus.So tiny.”She raised her brows.“So brown!”
“She is said to be his whore, but would a man find such as she alluring?”Rodney asked.
“Leila is no whore!”Hamish said hotly.“She was our companion and friend.I am glad that Fergus has ensured she could remain here.”
His aunt and uncle exchanged a glance.
“For a year and a day,” Mhairi noted gently.
“I heard that Murdoch is aiding her in taking lessons from Father Gregory,” Hamish said.“She wishes to learn before she changes her faith.”
“There is no harm in that,” Rodney acknowledged.
“I would trust Leila with my life,” Hamish continued.“Indeed, I have done so.”
Mhairi flicked a look at him.“Even though she is an infidel?”
“At the Temple, I was taught that there is good and bad in every kind, believer or infidel, and in truth, there are many areas of common belief between our faiths...”
“Which is why men slaughter each other in Jerusalem,” Rodney said wryly.
“In Outremer, in many places, people of different faiths live together in harmony,” Hamish argued.“It is the knights from France and England who provoke war there.Those who live there only defend themselves and their property.”
His uncle raised his brows.
His aunt took a deep breath.“And so you think the Holy City should be surrendered to infidels?”
“They also hold it as a place of worship.Lord Gaston, the leader of our party, tried to negotiate peace.He said both claims had merit and should be respected.”
“And infidels respected this?”Rodney’s skepticism was clear.
“I am sorry to say this, uncle, but they were more likely to respect it than Christian kings and knights.”Hamish shook his head.“I have seen things to make me doubt the merit of my own kind.”
There was a moment of quiet in which Hamish looked at the table and his aunt and uncle studied him.He knew he was defying their convictions and was aware that he had never done as much before.He felt that he had erred, for he was now a guest in their home, and wished he could take back the words—even though he yet believed them.He had not intended to give offense.
Finally, Rodney cleared his throat.“You are not the sole one to think well of the lady.Farquar said the Lady Leila has helped old Nellie.He said she shows the surety of a good ostler and her care already makes a difference.”
Hamish looked up.“What is wrong with Nellie?”
“She is lamed and refuses to put one foot down.We have been plowing the fields without her and it is heavy labor.”Rodney shook his head.“You know how Farquar cannot bear to see a horse suffer and can anticipate how he would argue with those who suggest Nellie’s time should come to an end.He was most impressed by Lady Leila’s efforts yesterday.”
