Page 7 of Defy the Highlander

CHAPTER TWO

Hawkhill, home of Laird and Lady Currie, was a magnificent manse to the east of Edinburgh, outside of the city walls. Out here, just north of Holyrood Palace, there were several estates dotting the land, great stone sentinels of wealthy Scottish lairds. There was a great deal of land out here, used for farming or for keeping small herds of animals.

Hawkhill was an impressive sight. Three stories in height, it had a massive curtain wall built from the pale sandstone so common to the area, stone that would eventually turn black with age and the elements.

Not strangely, Brody’s walking had become steadier as they made their way back to the house but he let Lilia hold on to him because she was convinced that she was being of some service. He let her hold on to him simply because he liked it. He couldn’t remember when last he had a pretty girl on his arm.

If Lilia knew who, and what, he really was, he was quite certain she wouldn’t be holding him so tightly. It was a fantasy world Brody was living in at the moment, one he hadn’t realized he needed until Lilia took his arm. He’d been her hero and she was treating him like one.

God, it felt good.

Lilia took him around to the rear of Hawkhill where a postern gate led them into a vast stable yard. Hit by the smell of animals, Brody allowed Lilia to pull him through the yard until they came to the rear where there were a few tiny outbuildings lining the wall. Lilia shoved the door open of the last one in the row, kicking it because it stuck.

Once open, she let go of Brody’s arm.

“There,” she said. “Ye can use this cottage. I know it’s not much, but ye can rest here until yer head is better. Go in and sit down, and I will return as quickly as I can.”

Brody looked at the tiny chamber, which was much better than the accommodations he had now. In fact, he began to see an opportunity – a lady with some guilt, an empty room, and he would have a better roof over his head. Putting his hand to his temple, he pretended to be weakened still.

“Thank ye,” he said. “Yer kindness is greatly appreciated.”

Lilia helped him in because he seemed to be staggering again. Brody lowered himself down into a corner of the cluttered cottage as Lilia began to grab the implements lining the walls, like pitchforks and shovels.

“I’ll remove these so ye willna have tae keep company with farm tools,” she said. “Sit quietly, now. I’ll return.”

Brody had no intention of doing anything other than sitting quietly. Something else might see him get thrown out on his ear, and this was too good of a situation to pass up. When Lilia departed, dragging the shovels and rakes with her, Brody leaned back against the wall and thought he might actually have found a better situation for himself. He was a hard worker, so he could offer his strength at the manor. He was sure they could use a strong hand.

And he would be where Lilia was.

A foolish thought, but one he couldn’t shake. He didn’t know what it was about the woman that attracted him so, but he wasn’t beyond finding out.

Hearing that fight in the alley this morning was quite fortuitous.

Perhaps things were finally starting to look up.

*

He was handsome.

Lilia had noticed that from the outset. It was difficult to tell beneath all of that grime and hair, but once she got a good look at his face, she could see just how handsome he was. And young; he wasn’t old at all. Well, relatively old. At ten or more years than her twenty and one.

He was a man in his prime.

But he was also living on the streets and in addition to the smell of piss from the pot she’d slung at him, she thought she could also smell ale. After the chaos of the sausages had died down and she realized he was injured, she still couldn’t explain what made her go back and see how badly he was hurt. Perhaps it was the fact that there was something in his eyes that conveyed utter defeat.

He was a man who had given up.

Perhaps that was why she’d insisted he come back with her to Hawkhill. All she knew was that there was something in his eyes that pulled at her, something that captured her curiosity and natural empathy. Certainly, she’d seen her share of the destitute in Edinburgh. But what made this man different, she didn’t know.

Something…

But first, he needed a bath and food. That was the least she could do for him, considering his attempted act of valor during the sausage disaster. But she didn’t want her mistress to know she’d brought a man back to the manor, so she went to the stablemaster and explained the situation.

The stablemaster, being a very old man with a kind disposition, assured her that he would help the man. In little time, a big copper pot, clean straw and blankets were heading to that tiny storage cottage. Everything needed for a bath was being brought in and Lilia confiscated soap from the laundress along with clean drying linens. A trip to the kitchens had her carrying a basket filled with bread, cheese, and several apples. With all of it balanced in her hands, she headed back to the cottage.

By the time she reached the rear of the stable yard, the sky had clouded over and it was starting to rain. Fat droplets pelted the ground as she stood at the cottage door while the servants with the hot water buckets finished filling the old copper tub. Once they vacated, she entered the cottage and shut the door behind her.

“Here,” she said as she turned around. “I’ve brought ye…”