Page 71 of Conquer the Highlander

Clegg wasn’t sure what he meant, but Titus’ reaction was interesting. The duke had also made it seem that Titus was his beloved, long-lost nephew and, clearly, Titus didn’t feel that way. The man looked like he did when he was in a fight for his life in the arena – edgy, coiled, ready to strike. But there was something more, something Clegg had never seen from him before.

There was hatred there.

Clegg lifted a hand to him.

“Titus, please sit,” he said quietly. “Tell me about yourself and of your relation to Ambrose Stewart. His son is here, also, by the way.”

Titus stopped twitching and his eyes widened. “Conan?”

“Aye.”

That had Titus bolting for the door. Clegg called out to him, but Titus was running, running from the front door and through the arriving crowds. A cry went up when some people realized The Eagle was in their midst, but he was running so fast that he was through the crowds before they could work up a good cheer.

He was heading for the warrior’s village.

His legs were pumping and his chest felt as if it were ready to explode as he ran at top speed. He sailed through the warrior’s village and to his cottage on the rise. He crashed into the door, slamming it back on its hinges.

“Bee!” he bellowed. “Esme!”

The cottage was empty.

Panic consumed him. Titus spilled out of his cottage, preparing to run back to the lists and find Esme sitting there among the crowd, but voices coming from Cam’s cottage caught his attention. He rushed over to the cottage, pounding on the door. Quickly, it was yanked open and Isadora was standing there.

“Titus!” she gasped. “What in the world is –?”

Titus caught sight of Esme standing behind Isadora, and he nearly bowled the woman over in his haste to get to Esme.

“Shut the door,” he hissed at Isadora.

The door slammed and Titus threw his arms around Esme, never more relieved in his entire life. In fact, realizing she was safe and sound brought tears to his eyes. He actually thought he was going to start weeping. He stood there for a moment, holding her, reassuring himself that she was well.

In his embrace, Esme could feel him trembling.

“Titus?” she said, deeply concerned. “What is the matter? What has happened?”

He wasn’t ready to let her go yet, so he stood there a moment longer, squeezing the breath from her, before answering.

“Thank God,” he said, sounding exhausted and strained. “Bee, ye must promise not tae panic. Please. I need yer calm head. Can ye do this?”

Esme finally pulled away from him, greatly puzzled. “Do what?” she said. “Titus, what is the matter?”

Titus sighed heavily, trying to regain his composure. “Ambrose is here,” he said. “So is Conan. They have been tae see Clegg. They know I am here.”

As he watched, Esme’s eyes widened so much that they were surely about to pop from her skull. “The duke?” she gasped. “And… and Conan?”

He nodded. “I dunna know what they want yet, but I will find out,” he said. “I wanted tae make sure ye were safe first and tell ye not tae go tae the arena tonight. Stay in the cottage, lock the shutters, and bolt the door. Dunna open it for anyone but me. Do ye understand?”

Esme nodded. She didn’t panic and she didn’t cry out, but her hands were at her mouth in shock, and as Titus watched, tears filled her eyes and spilled over. She collapsed against him, weeping fearfully, and he hugged her tightly.

“I know,” he whispered to her. “I know ye’re frightened. So am I. I’m sure they dunna know ye’re here, so that is why ye must stay tae the cottage and not come out. They’ll leave and all will be well again, do ye hear? We just have tae get through tonight.”

Esme nodded, wiping her eyes and struggling to compose herself. “As you say,” she said. “I’ll be all right. But, Titus… they’re here? How would they have known to come here?”

Titus shrugged. “I told Lady Ayr this was where I was,” he said. “Clearly, she told her husband and he’s come tae see for himself. I’m sure that’s all it is.”

“You’re positive?”

“Aye,” he said confidently, though he wasn’t sure he felt all that confident. “I just dunna want him tae see ye, so ye must stay out of sight.”