“I have nay idea,” Elijah admitted, watching as Iris moved to stand about fifteen feet from a wooden post near the stable entrance.
She reached down, and Elijah’s eyes widened as she lifted her skirt slightly, revealing a leather sheath strapped to her thigh. From it, she drew a slim throwing knife, its blade catching the afternoon sun.
Christ. Me wife hides weapons on her body.
“Watch closely,” Iris called to Codie. Then, in one smooth motion, she drew her arm back and released. The knife flew through the air with deadly precision, embedding itself in the center of the post with a solidthunk.
“Whoa!” Codie’s eyes went round as coins. “Ye threw a knife! And ye hit exactly where ye were aimin’!”
“I did.” Iris walked to the post and pulled the knife free. “And if ye’re very good, and ye practice hard, I’ll teach ye how to do it too.”
“Really? Ye’ll teach me?” Codie was practically bouncing. “When? Can we start today?”
“Give it a few weeks. Let’s make sure yer arms are strong enough first.” She slid the knife back into its sheath. “But aye, I’ll teach ye. Every Highland lad should ken how to defend himself.”
“Can I tell the other boys? They’re goin’ to be so jealous!” Codie was already running toward the castle. “Thank ye, Lady Iris! Thank ye, Da!”
He disappeared through the stable doors, leaving Elijah and Iris alone in the yard. For a moment, neither spoke. Then Elijah moved closer to his wife, his eyes dropping to where he knew that hidden sheath rested beneath her skirts in her stockings.
“Who taught ye how to throw knives?”
“Me faither’s old man-at-arms. His name was Fergus.” Iris’ expression grew thoughtful. “He insisted that both Lydia and I learn basic self-defense. Said that noble ladies were often targets for kidnappin’ or worse, and we should ken how to protect ourselves if needed.”
“And yer parents allowed this?”
“They dinnae ken about it. Fergus taught us in secret, made us promise never to tell.” A small smile played at her lips. “Lydia never took to it the way I did. She’d practice dutifully, but her heart wasnae in it. But me? I loved it. The precision, the focus, the sense of power it gave me.”
“How many weapons do ye carry?” Elijah whispered.
“Just the one knife, usually. Sometimes two if I’m travelin’.” She tilted her head. “Why? Does it bother ye that yer wife is armed?”
“Bother me?” He moved closer still. “Quite the opposite. I’m relieved ye’re nae completely vulnerable. A laird’s wife is a temptin’ target for enemies, and kennin’ ye can defend yerself...” He reached out, his hand settling on her waist. “… it makes me breathe easier.”
“Does it now?” Her voice had taken on a different quality, warmer.
“Aye.” His thumb traced along the leather of the sheath through her skirts. “Though I’d feel even better if ye kent more than just knife throwin’. There are other skills that could serve ye well.”
“What kind of skills?”
“Hand-to-hand combat. How to break free if someone grabs ye. Where to strike to disable an opponent.” He held her gaze. “I could teach ye if ye’re interested.”
“Ye want to teach me how to fight?”
“I want to teach ye how to survive. There’s a difference.” His hand remained at her waist, warm and steady. “What do ye say, wife? Are ye interested in learnin’ how to break a man’s nose or knee him in the stones?”
She laughed, bright and genuine. “When ye put it that way, how can I refuse? Though I have to warn ye, I might be a difficult student.”
“I’m countin’ on it.” He found himself smiling back at her. “Tomorrow mornin’ before the castle fully wakes… in the trainin’ yard.”
“That early?”
“Unless ye’d prefer an audience? Because I can guarantee if we train during normal hours, every man in this castle will find an excuse to watch the Laird teachin’ his Lady how to fight.”
“Fair point.” She stepped back.
“Now go tend to yer horses. I’ll go make sure Codie’s nae tellin’ everyone in the castle about me hidden knife.”
He watched her walk away, this fierce, unexpected woman who’d somehow become essential to him in such a short time. Then he turned to deal with Buttercup, who was still trembling slightly from her scare.
