Kuresh shook his head. “I wish to take a trip.”
“To Constantinople?”
“No,” the captain said. “I want to see more of the Highlands, to understand my new home—to become a part of the people and the land.”
“That isna a proper reward for saving my life and Lady Helen’s. Though ye have my blessing to take as many men as ye need and go, for I think it a wise undertaking to learn more about the place ye have chosen to live.”
“People fear me—my dark skin, hair, and eyes. They call mediabhal.”
Jamie chuckled. “Are ye nay a devil? Duncan Munroe swore ye were. And I am sure as yer blade cut through Baran Munroe’s worthless neck he cursed ye as one.”
Kuresh grinned. “He deserved to die. And if you wish, I will travel to the isles and bring Duncan’s head back for you.”
Jamie knew well that in the future he would clash with the new Munroe laird. For Jamie had humiliated him in front of hundreds of people and would eventually find out it was he who had done the whipping. “I will deal with the man in my own way. We have unsettled business between us.”
Kuresh bowed his head. “I have another request.”
“Tell me.”
“I spoke with Petro on many occasions about Highland tradition. I served with Laird Alex for seven years in my homeland and here. I have no desire to return to the desert. But if I am ever to be taken seriously, to be honored as a true Highland warrior, I must take a Scottish name.”
“I can give ye a few suggestions,” Miran said as she entered the near-empty great hall from the kitchens.
Kuresh immediately spun about. “You’ve called me beast and monster, woman.”
“Ye earned those titles, telling me a woman shouldna speak unless she’s spoken to.”
“I gave you valuable advice—to help you find a husband.”
Miran braced a hand on her hip, frowning. “I doona want a husband.”
“I believe you need one, woman. One who will teach you how to behave properly.”
Jamie sat back in his chair, watching his cousin and Kuresh interact. Helen had warned him that the two dinna get along overmuch, but she had also told him about their mutual attraction, which wasna so obvious now.
“Go back to the kitchens,” Kuresh commanded.
Miran blew out a frustrated breath. “I am nay a maid ye can order about.”
“I am the laird’s right hand.”
“And I am his cousin—invited here as his wife’s companion. Perhaps I should ask ye to fetch me some water!”
Kuresh stomped over to where she stood and gripped her by the arm. “If it’s water you seek, I will happy to escort you outside and to the loch where I will dunk you beneath the frigid water until you promise never to talk to a MacKay captain so disrespectfully again.”
Miran pushed him away. “Nay… Let me take ye to the loch, tie ye up in a bag filled with rocks so ye sink to the bottom and drown like the vermin ye are.”
There was a tense moment of silence and Jamie stood, ready to rush across the chamber in case Miran slapped Kuresh or he decided to toss her over his shoulder and follow through on his threat.
How had he missed their interactions after all this time?
“If ye doona wish to hear the name I was going to suggest for ye…” Miran said.
“And what title would you choose for me?”
“Leod.”
Kuresh cast a quick glance at Jamie. “I have never heard this name. What does it mean?”
