Page 46 of Defy the Highlander

“Tae who? My husband or The Eagle?”

“Both.”

Isadora fought off a smile. “If it’s any consolation, Titus was punished for doing what he did.”

He looked at her curiously. “He was?”

“Aye,” she said. “From what I understand, he dinna wait for Axel tae signal the beginning of the fight. He went off on his own before anyone told him tae and caught ye off guard.”

Brody lay there a moment longer, trying to remember the details of what had happened and being unable to. He remembered listening to the big Saxon speak on the rules of the engagement but nothing after that.

The Eagle had a hard strike.

“How long have I been unconscious?” he asked.

“Not too long,” she replied. “Cam asked me tae tend ye while he’s gone, but he needs tae return soon because I must return tae my bairn.”

“Ye have a child here? At The Cal?”

She nodded. “Nickie,” she said. “Has Cam not told ye about his son?”

Brody sat up, slowly, politely handing the compress back to Isadora. “Nay,” he said. “We’ve not spoken of much other than having tae do with training, though we did know of each other before all of this.”

“Where?”

“In Edinburgh.”

Isadora nodded but was prevented from replying further when Cam entered the area. When he saw that Brody was sitting up, he made his way over to the man, looking him over. He held up a hand with two fingers raised.

“How many fingers am I holding up?” he asked.

“Two,” Brody mumbled. “One for The Eagle’s victory and the other for my stupidity.”

Cam grinned. “At least ye’ve not lost yer humor,” he said. Then, he looked to his wife. “Thank ye for tending him, love. I’ll take over.”

Isadora stood up, handing the compress over to her husband. “Next time, warn him that Titus doesna like tae follow rules, either,” she said. Her gaze moved to Brody. “I hope I dunna see ye again with a bump on yer head.”

“I hope not, either,” Brody said. “And ye have my thanks, Lady Netherton.”

As she headed out of the chamber, Cam handed the cold, wet sponge back to Brody. “Keep it on the lump,” he said. “The Eagle kicked ye hard.”

Brody raised the soggy compress to his head. “Go ahead and say it,” he said. “Ye warned me but I dinna listen.”

Cam sat down on the bench, eyeing Brody. “It sounds as if I dunna need tae say it,” he said. “But the next time I tell ye something, it would be wise for ye tae listen. I’m not speaking tae hear the sound of my own voice.”

“I know,” Brody said, feeling ashamed. “In fact, I dunna think I’ve listened tae ye much since I came here.”

Cam fought off a grin. “That happens sometimes,” he said. “Especially with men who have fought before. They think they know everything.”

Brody grunted. “I thought I did,” he said. Then, he looked at Cam. “I’ll be honest with ye. Ye told me ye never had any battle experience before ye came tae the Ludus Caledonia. I’ve had years of battle experience, of facing real battles, so it’s not been easy for me tae take orders or advice from ye.”

Cam leaned back on the bench. “I realize that,” he said. “Ye dunna want tae take commands from a man who’s never faced a battle.”

Brody was looking at his feet. “’Tis true,” he said. “What do ye know about combat? I mean when a man’s life is at stake. Mayhap ye’re a great trainer of men, but a fighter?”

“Do ye want me tae fight ye and show ye what I’m capable of?”

“Dunna.”