Page 57 of Defy the Highlander

Cam shook his head. “I saw the wound and I dunna believe it was too terrible. I’ve seen worse.”

“I am pleased to hear that, but I’d rather have time to advertise such a rematch to guarantee a large crowd,” Clegg said. “Tonight was just a foretaste. We’ll move The Eagle and the Highland Protector up to a major bout.”

“With a big purse?”

“Indeed.”

Cam grinned. “Good,” he said. “But meanwhile, it might be a good idea tae test Brody again tae make sure his fight against The Eagle wasna an accident. The true test of skill will come the second time around.”

Clegg nodded. “Excellent idea,” he said. “If he’s up to it, let him fight tomorrow night. I will tell Axel to pin a small purse on the bout and see if the lure of money drives the Highland Protector even harder.”

Cam nodded. “My guess is that it will.”

Clegg grinned with a mouthful of wine-stained teeth. “Care to wager on that, Cam? Do you have enough faith in your Highland Protector to place money on him?”

“I do.”

“Good. But do not tell Isadora. I do not wish to rile the mother of my godson.”

Cam laughed softly. “Nor do I,” he said. “It will be our secret, m’laird.”

“I hope Brody is as good as you think he is.”

Cam’s smile faded as he thought on the prideful, stubborn, and somewhat mysterious Highland Protector.

“So do I, m’laird,” he said quietly. “So do I.”

*

Brody was just falling asleep when there was a soft knock on the door. Thinking Lilia had returned, he quickly sat up.

“Come,” he said.

The door creaked open but the person entering was not Lilia. It was the warrior called The Eagle.

Titus Stewart shut the door quietly behind him and faced Brody.

“Well?” he said, looking him over. “Will ye heal?”

Brody eyed the man, clearly mistrustful of him. “It seems so,” he said. “What are ye doing here?”

Titus rested his fists on his narrow hips. “I came to see how ye were,” he said. “It was a brutal fight between us. Much longer than usual. Ye’re good, Protector. Where did ye learn tae fight?”

Brody wasn’t entirely sure if the man was trying to be friendly or simply nosy. Perhaps both. Or perhaps he was even trying to determine if he was too weak to continue fighting. In any case, Brody wasn’t comfortable with the man in his cottage. The door had a lock on it and he should have used it, but thinking that Lilia might come back, he didn’t bother.

Now, he was regretting that decision.

“I’m from the Highlands,” he said. “We learn tae fight when we are born. And ye?”

“Near Stirling,” he said. “But I, too, learned tae fight young. Not many hold out against me.”

“Nor me.”

Titus continued to stare at him. Then, he cracked a smile. “I’ll admit something tae ye,” he said. “It was a miracle I was able tae pull the blade on ye at the end. I thought for sure ye were going tae cripple me.”

Brody thought that sounded suspiciously like a compliment. “Ye like tae kick a man in the head, don’t ye? Ye’ve done it tae me twice. There willna be a third time.”

Titus’ smile faded. “I’ve learned tae strike hard and strike fast.”