Page 79 of Defy the Highlander

“Aye. But others saw ye the first time I brought ye here. They might give ye away.”

He shook his head quickly. “Angus has told them not tae. Seems no one likes Lady Currie, so they’re willing tae keep the secret.”

Lilia felt a little better. “I hope so,” she said. “I know Lady Currie never saw ye so we dunna want her tae know ye’re the man that Colly said I was fornicating with.”

“What about Colly? Did she recognize me?”

Lilia shook her head. “I dinna know,” she said. “I’m not entirely sure she ever got a good look at ye, so ye may be safe.”

“I hope so,” he said. His gaze drifted over her, drinking in the sight of her. He felt whole again when she was in his arms. “But it willna matter if she did or not. We’re leaving tonight, for good.”

Her eyes widened. “We are?”

He nodded, kissing her hands. “Aye,” he said. “Lady Currie paid sixty pounds sterling for me, but Clegg gave it all back tae me with specific instructions – I’m tae return it tae Laird Currie and leave this place with ye.”

Lilia was bewildered. “Return it tae Laird Currie? I dunna understand. Why?”

He could see that she wasn’t following him. “Listen tae me,” he said with quiet urgency. “It seems that Clegg and Laird Currie are old friends. Clegg doesna like Lady Currie; he feels that she brings shame upon her husband with her behavior, which she does. Clegg has given me the money Lady Currie paid for me tae return it tae her husband, but he wants us tae flee Hawkhill after I do. That way, Laird Currie has his money returned tae him and Lady Currie is left with nothing. Ye’re safe, I’ll be safe, and Lady Currie will be sorely disappointed.”

Lilia’s hand was over her mouth in surprise. “Sir Clegg has done this for ye?”

“For us,” he said softly. “Better still, when this situation is over, Clegg has asked me tae return tae The Cal as a trainer of men. A doctores. Lilia, he’s offered me a position there. A position of honor with people I respect.”

Lilia was starting to understand. She smiled at him, thrilled to hear what had transpired. “Is it true?” she gasped. “Brody, that’s wonderful news. I’m so very proud of ye.”

His smile faded as he looked at her. “Are ye?” he asked. “It’s been so long since someone has been proud of me. Ye canna imagine how long, my angel. ’Tis good tae hear it.”

Her smile broadened. “Of course I’m proud of ye,” she said. “It seems that a good deal has happened since the last time I saw ye.”

That was an understatement. “Very true,” he said. “But good things. Except for Lady Currie and her lewd intentions, all good things. But in the end… mayhap everything happened the way it should. Had Lady Currie not set her cap for me, I would still be at The Cal, still trying tae earn money for yer freedom. Who knows how long it would have taken?”

Lilia could see his point. “I suppose,” she said. “I simply canna believe that so much good has come from this. What do ye intend tae do now?”

Brody released her from his embrace. “Now, I intend tae seek Laird Currie and return his money and pay off yer debt, so I want ye tae pack whatever ye need and be ready tae leave right away. Will ye do that?”

Lilia could hardly believe what she was hearing. “Aye,” she breathed. “Oh, Brody… I can hardly believe it. I’ll finally be leaving this terrible place.”

He kissed her gently. “I intend tae take ye out of here before the evening meal, so we must hurry. We’ll leave as soon as I give Laird Currie his money back.”

“But what about the two pounds for my da’s debt?”

Brody grinned. “Cam loaned it tae me,” he said. “He and his wife. I’ll pay back every pence and then some, so Laird Currie will receive exactly sixty-two pounds for my freedom and for yers. I have all of the money with me in the trunk I brought.”

Lilia was so anxious that she took him by the hand and began dragging him towards the stable entry. “Laird Currie’s solar is by the manse entry,” she told him. “He’s always there. There is no other place he’ll be. Go in through the front of the house and it’ll be the first doors ye see. Great, carved doors.”

Brody nodded. “Give me an hour and meet me back here. We’ll leave from the postern gate where no one is watching.”

They had just reached the doors and Lilia turned to him, throwing her arms around his neck forcefully enough to knock him off balance.

“I canna believe this is happening,” she said. “I’ll be here in an hour. But be kind to Laird Currie… he’s a nice man. What his wife does tae him is cruel beyond measure.”

Brody cocked an eyebrow. “Then mayhap he’ll easily take his money back and wish us well.”

“Without his wife finding out before we’ve left.”

That was the unknown factor in all of this and Brody knew it. All of this had to be done without Lady Currie becoming wise to it. That’s why he wanted to get it over with so quickly. The sooner they were out of Hawkhill, the better for them both.

“Be discreet when ye pack yer things, my angel,” he said quietly. “The last thing we want is Lady Currie becoming wise tae what is happening.”