Page 61 of Defy the Highlander

In fact, Lady Currie didn’t care that Clegg was occupied with business. It never occurred to her that she wasn’t the most important person at the Ludus Caledonia. She barged into the viewing box as Clegg and another man stood in one of the archways with a clear view of the field. When Clegg looked up and saw her, his brow furrowed in displeasure.

“Lady Currie,” he greeted. “I am occupied at the moment. Would you please excuse…?”

Lady Currie cut him off rudely. “I will not be put off,” she said. “Do you know what just happened? Your insolent and arrogant Highland Protector insulted me deeply and I demand satisfaction.”

Clegg’s irritation turned to concern. “What did he do?”

Lady Currie was so angry that her forehead was peppered with sweat. “He won his bout and being a gracious lady, I gave him my favor,” she said. “He tossed it onto the ground and stomped on it. What right does that man have to show me such disrespect?”

Clegg, who had watched the astonishingly good match with Brody and The Thistle hadn’t seen that part of it. Lady Currie had offered for Brody last night but had been denied, and now she was back again, now demanding satisfaction for an insult dealt by the man.

Clegg had seen women like Lady Currie all of his life – demanding, spoiled, used to having their way in everything. Lady Currie was used to men falling at her feet and Brody hadn’t done that. Now, she was furious and embarrassed. Unless Clegg wanted trouble on his hands, or worse – losing a high-paying customer – he knew he needed to placate the woman.

As much as he really didn’t like her.

“Sometimes, men in the heat of battle do things they would not normally do,” he said evenly. “Did he say anything to you?”

Lady Currie fumed. “Nay.”

“Did he look at you?”

“Nay.”

Clegg smiled. “Then, clearly, he did not know you gave it to him,” he said. “You must understand that men have a sort of blood madness when they are victorious over another man. There is something that temporarily drives them to do things they would not normally do. In this case, Brody did not see that it was you. He did not know it was you who had given him the favor. If he had, I am certain he would not have removed it.”

Lady Currie was cooling down at his logical explanation. “I suppose,” she said. “I guess… I would agree that he did not know it was me.”

Clegg was quite comforting. “You see? There is nothing to be angry over. In fact, I shall summon him immediately and he can apologize to you personally. Would you like that?”

Now, Lady Currie was completely cooled off and, in fact, enticed by the thought of finally meeting the mysterious Highland Protector. “You called him Brody?”

Clegg nodded. “His name is Brody McKay,” he said. Then, he indicated the nearest cushioned couch. “Please, sit. I will have him brought to you.”

A smile spread across Lady Currie’s face as she turned for the silk-cushioned couch to await the delivery of the man she’d been trying to know for two days. Clegg went to the man he’d been speaking with when Lady Currie so rudely interrupted them and lowered his voice.

“Bring Brody here,” he said. “Tell him why so he is prepared.”

Cam had been that man. He and Clegg had watched Brody’s fight together to assess his performance and were speaking of it when Lady Currie barged in. He eyed the woman on the couch.

“Brody has a woman, m’laird,” he muttered. “I know Lady Currie and I know what she wants. It is unfair tae put Brody in that position.”

Clegg grunted. “She is also one of our best patrons, so I will not deny her the chance to meet him,” he said. “Tell Brody he is expected to apologize to her but, beyond that, I expect nothing from him as long as he is polite about it. If he is to decline her offer, then he had better explain why. Meanwhile… meanwhile, send Warenne to me as well. If one man denies her, mayhap the comfort of another man will satisfy her.”

Cam nodded and headed out of the chamber, out into the icy night that was beginning to fog over. Clegg went to sit with Lady Currie, making sure she had warmed wine and making small conversation as they waited for Brody’s appearance.

In truth, Clegg wasn’t looking forward to it.

*

“I what?”

“Ye must apologize,” Cam said steadily. “Brody, I know it seems ridiculous, but part of being a warrior with The Cal is also being an ambassador between The Cal and the patrons. Without the patrons, there is no fight guild. It is imperative that ye never show anger or irritation towards one of them. Ye must always be polite, even if ye dunna want tae be. Lady Currie is furious because she believes ye slighted her.”

“I did.”

Cam sighed heavily. They were standing in the staging area below Clegg’s viewing box and Cam was only now coming down off of his battle high. Cam could see from the look in the man’s eyes that he was quite serious about insulting Lady Currie.

That made little sense to Cam.