“What?That is nonsense!”
“Is it?”Leila demanded, abandoning him to pace again.“Murdoch says Killairic must be bestowed upon you by the king, in the event of your father’s demise.”
“Aye, but there is tradition...”
Leila met his gaze, her tone urgent.“What king will call for a war in one moment, then grant a key holding to a man who is wed to the enemy?”
Fergus would have liked to have believed that the king would make an exception for him, but he saw immediately that Leila did not share his view.“This is why you talk to the priest.”
She nodded.“I will ask to be baptized on Iona.I think it will be best for there to be many witnesses of my choice, and also that this matter be resolved sooner rather than later.Your father, as fond as I am of him, weakens.”
Fergus was humbled by her choice.“Are you certain, Leila?”
She lifted her chin, looking fierce.“I vowed to be the best wife that I could be, Fergus.It would hardly be fitting for you to lose your legacy because of me.”
He smiled at her, closing the distance between them to cup her chin in his hand.“And what do I give you, Leila, that merits such choices on your part?”
“A home,” she replied immediately.“A sanctuary.”She sighed.“What of the prize?Do you think it still safe where it is hidden?”
“I do.I suspect it is safer there than it was in the treasury.”
“We must find a better place for it, a permanent place,” Leila said, her worry clear.“Do you think Agnes went to Dunnisbrae?”
Fergus pursed his lips.“Perhaps.She fled in that direction but Enguerrand turned back once he thought her unlikely to return to Killairic.He is likely right that her exact destination is of little concern.”
It was evident that Leila did not share his conviction.“She will make trouble for me, no matter where she goes,” she said softly.
“Even if she told Stewart of the reliquary, he would have the wits to be skeptical of any tale Agnes might tell.She came from there, which hints to me that she might have been cast out.”
“Because he knew her nature,” Leila murmured, appearing to be slightly reassured.
Fergus smiled.“We do need to find a better place for it.Enguerrand and Yvan will not depart until they are convinced it is secure.”
“Perhaps there will be a bishop at Iona to take it into his care.”
“Perhaps the Templars would not approve of that.”Fergus frowned.“I have been wondering if we should undertake a journey to Edinburgh, purportedly so you can meet my mother’s kin.There are Templar houses near there, and perhaps the prize will find sanctuary with them.”
“Another journey,” Leila said.“I would see your dream banished before we depart.Do you still sense that threat?”
He nodded.“It grows more ominous every day.”
“This is not reassuring.”
Fergus could only agree.“Perhaps Gaston will send word soon of any plans for the prize.”
Leila nodded.“Surely Duncan will halt here when he rides to retrieve Radegunde or after he weds her.”
Fergus hoped the warrior managed to do both.“I have not thus far given you a haven, Leila.”
“But you have given me a home.”She lifted a finger.“With a dovecote.”
“The birds should arrive soon.”
Leila smiled a little.“And then perhaps you will give me a child with blue eyes.”
Fergus slid his fingers beneath her veil, caressing the softness of her skin, for he was awed once again by the tiny lioness he had taken to wife.“Must you hasten to the hall?”he murmured, then bent and touched his lips to hers.Leila sighed and leaned against him, her small hands landing upon his chest.“I would endeavor to create that child if my lady would linger a little longer.”
She lifted her mouth to his, her surrender as sweet and hot as ever.She was so trusting.She gave so much.She planned for his success and tried to remove every obstacle.On this morn, Fergus would ensure that Leila understood that no other woman ever intruded upon his thoughts when he was with her.
