Sometimes the differences between the Scots and his own people were startling. “A man your age in Constantinople might have two wives by now and half a dozen children.”
Colin spit out the last gulp of wine he’d taken. “Two wives?”
“Aye. Four is acceptable if you possess the wealth to support them equally.”
Colin rubbed his bearded chin. “I canna say the idea of bedding a different lass every night isna exciting. But when I think about the kind of jealously twould cause in the hearts of the women—I doona like it so much.”
“Wise beyond your years.”
“Did ye leave behind a wife and children?”
“No. But I was betrothed.”
“Ye must grieve her loss.”
“I never met her. But from what I understand, she was a striking woman, and there would be no lack of suitors for her.” Only once had he thought about Rayha, and that was on the ship many years ago. “This place has given me a second chance.”
“There’s magic all about us, sir. Anything is possible in Scotia.”
“Magic?”
“Aye, wee creatures, fairies, and selkies.”
“Not God and his angels?”
“Them, too.”
“Then the Highlands are vast enough to offer a home to all celestial creatures.”
“Every sort of man resides here,” Colin said. “So why no’ a mix of mythical beings. I may no’ be as travelled as ye, Captain, but I have seen a fair part of this world, listened to men speak from the heart about what they put faith in and what they consider mere superstition. Once ye’ve seen a bare-footed bairn shivering and starving in the middle of winter, his young ma a widow with no place to lay her head, ye might understand why so many of us believe in magic.”
“I would never question your faith, Colin, or ridicule you for worshipping a different god than me. Variety makes the world an interesting place. Imagine if we were all the same.”
Perhaps he should take his own words to heart. Instead of trying to subdue his wild, Highland lass, he should enjoy the challenge she presented. Embrace her unpredictability, encourage her to fulfill her dreams.Nay.Her dreams were not the dreams of the average woman, that much he knew. Jamie had told him before she had wealth set aside by her father which would enable her to live independently once she reached a certain age. Kai would never allow Miran to strike out on her own.
As capable and stubborn as he believed her to be, to use Colin’s words,every sort of man resided in the Highlands. Good ones, of course. But Kai had seen firsthand what one evil man could do, what he could destroy if given free reign.
Done with the conversation, Kai stood and stretched. Never in need of as much sleep as others, he would rest for a few hours in his tent, then secretly patrol the area outside the camp. Better prepared than caught unaware by any enemy.
“Who has first watch?” he asked.
“Maxwell and Kirk.”
Satisfied Colin would keep his men organized, Kai strode to his tent. Light flickered from inside; someone had lit the brazier for him. Though he’d been raised in the desert, the winter did not affect him the way it did his brothers. He preferred the cold. It made him feel alive and strong, whereas the simmering heat left him feeling lazy.
He closed the tent flap behind him and crawled between the furs. The only thing on his mind as he faded into sleep was Miran—he hoped she would join him at Colin’s cousin’s farm tomorrow night, away from prying maids, where he could kiss her again, maybe more than once.
