Page 76 of Fearless Heart
Several ladies gasped and shrieked. Lillia smiled and hoped to cause him to be somewhat mannerly. “Good Sir James, come and have some morning fare and we shall discuss this.”
The ladies and numerous servants fled the hall. Given James’ fierce glare, she understood their fear of him.
Fiona wouldn’t leave her side and clasped her hand. She seemed to know James and waved. “Cousin, since when do you concern yourself with the paltry troubles of women? I hear you have terrorized the English, so much so that many fled Scotland.”
She was astounded to hear Fiona address him informally. “You’re related to him?”
Her friend leaned close and spoke behind her hand. “Aye, on my mother’s side. Och I always thought he was brash, even as a child, even before he was sent off for his education in France. ‘Tis said he squired for William Lamberton, the Bishop of Saint Andrews. I deem that is the cause of his surly nature.”
They shared a quick laugh over her summation.
James approached and bowed to them. “Lady MacKintosh, ye are not to interfere with the king’s business.”
“Posh, oh devil take you, James. You’re not going to harm this lady.” Fiona stood and blocked his view of her.
“Nay, he won’t.” All eyes shot to the entrance where Heath stood looking quite irate. “I should’ve known you’d be able to get past my gate and sentry. I won’t ask how, but now that you’re here, I bid you to leave.”
“I’ll leave when I’m good and ready.”
Before Lillia might stop him, Heath plodded forward and punched James. She stood, aghast that they would resort to brawling within the great hall.
The commotion brought many inside. Standing about, the men did nothing to break up the melee. The king’s guard gave their opinion as to who was winning and Brodin even suggested a wager that Heath would victor. The Fraser men likewise called out wagers on who would win and the MacKintosh men hooted when Heath got in a good strike. Cheers arose when their attack reverberated and they ended up on the floor.
Lillia had enough. She yanked her hand free of Fiona’s and hurried to her husband. James threw a fist at Heath and hit her shoulder, causing her to fall back. She bent over her husband and sent a glare to the surly man, hoping he would cease his violence.
Fiona shouted. “Cease before you injure her. Lillia, move away. You cannot come between them, not in your condition.”
The noise in the hall abruptly quieted. Lilla wept over Heath, and her voice squealed when she spoke to him. “Did he harm you?” Heath lay in her lap, smiling up at her.
“Nay, Sweetness. Did Lady MacKintosh just say—?”
“But your face …” She glared at James. “You are the very devil, James Douglas. How dare you hurt him?”
“So I’ve been called. He started it, my lady. I have a right to defend myself. Och, I didn’t mean to strike you. Are you harmed?” James’ voice thickened with concern. He backed away and held his head.
“I’m well, James, don’t concern yourself.” Lillia shifted the locks of hair from in front of Heath’s eyes. “I couldn’t bear if anything happened to you.”
The crowd dissipated except for the king’s guard. Graeme helped James from the floor and said, “I don’t like that there is contention between us. We rely on you, James, to aid us in our endeavor to protect the king.”
“If there were a way to prove the lass has no designs on the king’s throne, I might be able to convince Robert to ignore the matter. What with the news of her … condition. I cannot subject her to being confined by our king. Besides, Heath would never forgive me.” James rubbed his jaw and scrunched his eyes at Heath.
“There is a way.” Lillia pushed Heath from her lap and pulled the missive she’d written from the seam of her overdress and handed it to James. “I have given my word to King Robert that I am not the lass he deems me to be. That I shan’t covet his crown. I bid only the king to read these words. James, please you must leave off, otherwise I shall never see my family again.” She tried not to let her tears fall, but the drops fell nonetheless.
Fiona approached. “James Douglas, if you persist in removing Lillia from her husband, I shall do the unthinkable.”
She gazed at Fiona whose husband had joined them. He stood behind his wife with his hand on her shoulder, nodding in support.
“What’s that?” James clipped. His voice filled with angst.
“I shall speak of this matter with your mother. Aye, she will seek you out and you will surely receive a lecture on chivalry. You know that she insists all Douglas’ treat women with respect and gallantry. She’d be quite disappointed of your treatment of Lillia and once I tell her of it, you’ll rue …”
James muttered an expletive and his shoulders slumped.
Lillia’s heart eased. She felt a hand on her shoulder and turned to find Heath leaning against her. He smiled and nodded to James.
“I shall take your missive to the king and if he is agreeable, I shall not pursue you any longer. I shan’t make any promises.”
Lillia let out a breath of relief. “James, about my supposed birth … It is only speculation. There is no proof of what the Comyn’s claim. You must make the king understand that.”