Page 17 of Conquer the Highlander

“Your offer is very generous, but I do not know when I would be able to pay it back,” she said. “I could not take your money with that knowledge. It would be better if I earned it for myself.”

“Ye asked me for help. I’m offering.”

“That is not the kind of help I was asking for. I am not afraid of hard work to earn my money.”

He lifted his eyebrows. “Is that so?” he said. “Other than teach men tae read and write, what else can ye do?”

She cocked her head thoughtfully. “I know how to cook and sew,” she said. “I could tend your cottage and it would cost you very little. I am only asking for your help in finding ways to earn money so I can return home. Mayhap there are others I can tend house for, also?”

She was eager and, if Titus was honest with himself, very brave. She wasn’t looking for something to be given to her. She wanted to work for it and that impressed him. He’d dealt with so many women who were pampered and perfumed, and probably hadn’t worked an honest day in their lives. Those were soulless chits, women he used and tossed aside.

But not Esme.

Already, he could see she was different. There had been a day not long ago when Clegg would not permit women at the Ludus Caledonia other than those who serviced the warriors, but those times were over. Now, women were permitted. There were even families, as evidenced by Cam and Brody’s wives and children. Women were an integral part of the Ludus Caledonia these days.

It seemed as if Titus might have one of his very own.

“That is possible,” he said after a moment. “Get up and come with me.”

Esme stood up right away. “Where are we going?”

He reached out and grasped her by the arm. “Back tae my cottage unless ye plan tae remain here all night,” he said. “Let’s both sleep on this and discuss it further in the morning.”

Esme went along with him without hesitation. “I knew you would help me,” she said gratefully. “When I saw you this afternoon, I could feel it.”

He glanced at her. “Even when ye were refusing tae tell me yer name?”

She was properly contrite. “I did not know who you were, then,” she said. “For all I knew, you were a brute and a masher.”

He snorted, pulling her out of the guard room and waving away the sentries who started to come near. He pulled her through the crowd of men, casting her a long glance.

“Who says I’m not?”

Esme eyed him, but she didn’t reply. She was certain he was jesting – at least, she was hoping he was – and she didn’t want to say anything that might break whatever spell of cooperation had fallen upon him. Masher or not, for tonight, she was willing to go along with him.

Tomorrow would tell the tale if her decision had been a wise one.

CHAPTER FIVE

Trinity House

Edinburgh

It was the evening meal at the great baronial manse on the north side of Edinburgh known as Trinity House. The townhome of the Dukes of Ayr, it was built from sandstone that had hues of pink and gold, a masterful example of architectural design that soared four stories into the sky. The north side of the manse had turned darker and pitted because of the salt that blew off the sea, but the south side was still a fresh and lovely shade of pink.

Locals called it taigh pinc.

The pink house.

In the dining hall with its carved paneled walls and an elegant stone hearth, the Duke and Duchess of Ayr sat at a feasting table that could easily seat thirty people. Ambrose Stewart, Duke of Ayr, was double-fisting his good beef dinner into his mouth as his wife sat silently by, drinking her fine Spanish wine and hardly touching her food.

The hall was quiet on this evening but for the couple and their servants, who were moving about in silence to ensure the lord and lady were not disturbed. Not even the duchess’ women were in attendance because the opportunities for Lady Ayr to dine alone with her husband were few and far between.

He was a man who hadn’t much time for his wife.

Usually, her only companion at supper was her cup of wine.

But tonight, she had her husband to herself and she wanted to be amusing, or at least pleasing. There had been a time when he had appreciated her conversation. As he slurped his meal, she tried to think of things to discuss with him, things he might respond to. She thought back on her day, remembering her brief encounter with Titus. That would be of interest to him. It would also be of interest to him to know that Esme de Gracia, the future Lady Ayr, had gone off looking for lost ribbons from the fabric shop and had not returned. Soldiers were currently out searching for her.