Agnes, the one with brown eyes and who was a bit plumper, introduced herself to Elias and then blushed three different shades of red when he looked her way and she stumbled over her feet.
He caught her before she hit the ground. “Let me help ye. Where are ye off to? I will help ye get there.”
“Where areyouoff to?” she countered with a smile and a dimple in her pudgy cheek.
“The apothecary shop,” Elias replied, smiling back.
“Well, so am I!” Agnes feigned a gasp, which caused Estrid to roll her eyes heavenward.
Lily covered her mouth with her hand and smiled at Elias as he pulled Agnes’ arm gently through his.
“Why, thank you,” Agnes giggled. “But, I must tell you, finding out that you are a Scot is a bit alarming. Though we have been assured that you and your companion are nothing like the Savage Scot, Bertram Chisholm.”
“That is because no one is like me.”
Lily spun around and went pale upon seeing a large brute of a man standing at the entrance of the shop with Richard’s neck secured within the circle of his arm.
“I was just askin’ yer husband how he was enjoyin’ my whore.”
Elias handed Agnes off to Simon and moved toward Lily.
“I was never your whore,” Lily said, keeping her steady glare on Bertram. “One day, when I kill you, I will prove it to everyone.”
Elias wanted to smile at her and the determined tilt of her chin. He hadn’t expected to see such fire in her. He found it as alluring as her compassion. But he wasn’t here to admire her.
This was Bertram. No one had to tell him. Elias wanted to kill him but he had to free Richard first.
“Lily, I see yer tongue is still sharper than a blade of grass. I should have cut it oot of yer mouth when I first snatched ye from yer father.”
“God help us!” Agnes cried out.
“Ah, Agnes,” Bertram sneered at her. “I see ye’re still enjoyin’ yer food.”
“Ah, Estrid, ye sour faced crow,” Bertram continued, his gaze slipping to her. “’Tis nice to see that I still make ye shiver in yer wrinkled skin. Where is Clare? Now that one I wouldna mind leavin’ with.” He laughed and then stopped when he noticed Elias.
“Who is this, Lily?” Bertram antagonized, glaring at him. “Yer lover?”
“These two brought the Savage back here!” Estrid accused.
“He just asked Lily who we are, Woman,” Simon said sourly. “Why would we bring him here if—”
“Priest!” Bertram bellowed. “Keep yer mouth shut!”
Simon turned to him slowly and said through tight lips, “’Tis Brother.”
“Good,” Bertram sneered. “Then God willna be so angry with me for killing such an ugly, lowly—”
“Ye arrogant windbag,” Elias growled, boiling in his boots. “Let the old man go and prove ye have the balls to come against me, Elias MacPherson.”
“Lion Heart,” Simon said for all to hear.
Bertram burst into laughter and let Richard go, pushing him away.
“Well, Lion Heart,” Bertram snarled. “I have come for what is mine.”
“And ye shall get it,” Elias promised. He reached for his dagger as Bertram reached for his sword with hisright arm, Elias noted, and his small blade flew and struck the oaf between his right arm and his shoulder. The pain was intense enough for Bertram to writhe and drop his sword. Enough time for Elias to march forward, yank his dagger free, and hold the bloody tip to Bertram’ hairy throat. “Call off yer men or I will cut yer throat.”
“Halt and retreat!” Bertram shouted at the mounted men beginning to come forward from the forest.