“The offer to be my second still stands.”
“As does Nicolas,” said Gybbon.
“Then ye can be my third.”
“I dinnae think ye can have a third.”
“I can have anything I want; I am a laird.” Harcourt grinned at them, and both Nicolas and Gybbon laughed.
“That ye certainly are. And how often do ye tell your wife?”
“All the time, and she listens raptly.”
“Then does as she pleases.”
“Aye.” He laughed along with the other men, then grew serious. “Then what about the bit of land I talked on?” Harcourt said abruptly, as he heaped some porridge into his bowl.
“That I might consider, but nay now. I did earn a nice purse of money, but it will take time to collect it all, as I left it at various kinsmen’s to keep it safe from thieves.”
“Ye could have some of what is between us and the border.”
“Nay. I would choose a patch between ye and Nigel. I dinnae want, nor can afford to build a big keep, Harcourt. A nice fortified house would be it and better it be placed between two weel-fortified keeps. Gives me two places to choose between if I have to get to safety.”
Nicolas nodded. “Aye, good plan.”
Harcourt lightly smacked Nicolas on the back of his head. “A keep would be better.”
“I would be ready for my grave before I got the coin to build one of those,” Gybbon said.
Sighing heavily, Harcourt nodded. “True. Might be better to just make sure the manor is as strong as it can be.”
“That can be done. Time to think on it, anyway. Now, I need to keep my mind on how to end this threat from Robert Ogilvy.”
“I am nay sure ye can,” said Nicolas. “The mon has already killed a number of people, is trying to kill his own father, to get what he wants. Any mon who is willing to do such things is nay going to end his campaign because it does nay make sense or has grown too hard. If he was, he would have stepped back when he realized Sigimor was involved in protecting the lady and that boy. Any sane mon would.”
Gybbon laughed. “True enough.”
For a while, they discussed several ideas concerning what could be done about Robert. Tiring of that, they went out to indulge in some sword practice. It was between him and Nicolas because Harcourt had to sit down due to his healing foot. His men watched and occasionally took a turn. Gybbon realized how much he had missed such comradery while roaming the country. It was just another reason to stop roving, he decided.
By the time it ended, Gybbon was weary and needed a wash but had to admit it had been a good way to pass the time. He went to his bedchamber and washed up, then went to Mora’s bedchamber. All he found was a maid who directed him down to the lady’s sitting room. Annys had seen Jolene’s and had decided she needed one. He could see the reason behind such a thing as he suspected it was a nice place to go when men started their boasting or talk of old battles.
He stepped inside and saw Mora immediately. She looked healthy again and was deep into a discussion over the making of a shirt. As quietly as he could he walked over and sat in the chair facing the two women on the settle.
“Are ye done clashing swords together?” asked Annys.
“Aye and nay. Harcourt didnae try to join in. He sat down and delighted us all with his opinions on our skills.” Gybbon smiled when Annys laughed.
“I am sure ye enjoyed that.”
“And he is arguing about me setting up some place to live near here. This time I at least came to the decision that, if I did, it would be a manor house, well fortified, set between here and Nigel.”
“There is a lovely spot there, almost right at the halfway mark.”
“I ken it. Have often studied it.” He grinned at Annys and she smiled back at him. “But there is nay a hurry to do it. And,” he added as he looked at Mora, “there is a certain problem that needs to be ended.”
“’Tis my trouble. Ye must nay hold back any plans ye had for it. Besides he is three days away so how much trouble can he be?” Mora asked.
“A lot. He is but a day’s ride from here.”
