Jamie sighed. “Independence? As a woman?” He chuckled at the thought. “Every woman is dependent on a man in some form. For a woman of yer education and birth, ye are acting foolishly.”
Miran propped a hand on her hip. “If I pledged my soul to God…”
“Nuns?” Jamie chuckled again, but not as happily as before. “Servitude to the Almighty is even more restrictive.”
“But doesna require dependence on a man. No directly.”
She made a fair point, but… “Is God no’ a man?”
“Maybe…”
“Miran?”
“As far as we can comprehend who God is, aye.”
“Then submit to me. I would never place ye in danger, ever ask ye to do something I thought would harm ye.”
She grudgingly nodded. “Tis unfair. I am more capable than half the men in yer service!”
Jamie smiled as he watched her climb the narrow stairway that led to the women’s quarters on the third floor. Like most of the MacKay women, pride often got in the way of her doing what was best. But he wouldna hold it against his sweet cousin, for he loved her, and Miran had always made his life more interesting. That, and because she had suffered much for being so young. He would help her find happiness, even if it meant forcing her to do things she dinna want to do.
“I am afraid the lady does not like me.” Kuresh appeared from the shadows.
“And how much of our conversation did ye overhear?”
“Enough to know when I am unwelcome.”
“Some might call that eavesdropping.” Jamie offered him a tankard of ale.
“Or self-preservation.” Kuresh grinned before he took a deep drink.
“I thought ye were forbidden to drink anything fermented.”
“Then why do ye keep offering me wine and ale?”
“To see if ye ever accept.”
“And now I have.” He finished the drink and shoved the vessel back into Jamie’s hand. “More.”
Jamie gladly refilled the tankard. “Take it slow, my friend. This drink will go straight to yer inexperienced head.”
“Do you think me some kind of maiden? I have drunk fermented camel’s milk and Kumis since I was old enough to stand. And had my share of ale while serving Laird Alex.”
Jamie remembered sampling both during his extended visit to Constantinople. After the first time, he nearly vomited from the strong aftertaste. “French wine and Scottish ale are far better.”
“I agree.”
“Do ye think I am being too hard on the lass?” Jamie asked.
“I am not the man to ask.”
Jamie pulled out a bench at one of the lower tables and sat down. “I know ye are attracted to my cousin.”
“I am,” Kuresh readily admitted.
Jamie marveled at the nature of Kuresh and his strange culture. Honest to a fault, his captain had taught him life-saving lessons when they’d travelled together. So had all the people he’d met on his long journey. It had made Jamie a better man, and now a better husband. “Should I end her misery? Let her stay here? Or send her back to Laird Alex?”
Kuresh took another drink. “This journey will benefit her greatly. I will tame her wild spirit one way or another.”
