Page 16 of Saved By the Highland Beast
“What happened to his mother?” she asked.
“Aye, now that’s a sad story. She died giving birth to him.”
“Was the laird married for very long before Cillian came along?”
He shook his head. “It was an arranged marriage. They hardly kent each other. Terrible shame.” He smiled sadly. “But keep at it, milady, he cannae be cold toward ye forever.”
“That’s actually why I’m out here,” she said as she hugged her waist a little tighter. “I’m hoping you can help me with something. I have an idea that could possibly help Cillian with his schooling, or at least I hope it will.”
“Oh? I’m afraid I dinnae ken much about schoolin’, nae since I was a wee bairn meself, but I’ll do anythin’ that I can.”
She laughed slightly when she noticed a mass of red curls suddenly poking out from behind a barrel. “You can come and help me too, Hamish. I’m sure this will be your area of expertise as well.”
Anthony rolled his eyes as Hamish poked his head around the corner of the stable doors and grinned, his fat belly following before the rest of his body.
“Glad to be at yer service, milady.” Hamish pushed Anthony to the side as he greeted her, eliciting a growl of disapproval from the man.
“I want a set of wooden weapons that I can use to teach Cillian with,” she explained.
The men exchanged concerned glances.
“I dinnae ken if that’s the best idea, milady,” Hamish began.
“It’s a brilliant idea,” Anthony interjected. “But the laird has specifically forbidden the lad from using any kind of weapons, especially a sword. Nae until he’s older an’ finished his schoolin’.”
Hamish nodded in agreement, his enormous belly bouncing along with his head. “Specifically forbidden.”
“I am aware of the laird’s requests, he has put them forth to me as well, but he has also requested that I tutor his son. I cannot do that if I can’t pique his interest. So, I am asking you, gentlemen, if you would help me procure the correct items that I require to achieve just that.”
“So, you want us to go against the laird’s wishes?” Anthony asked with a frown.
“I’m nae saying I won’t—” Hamish stopped when Anthony elbowed him in the ribs.
“I’m not asking either of you to go against the laird’s wishes. You see, he forbade Cillian from using a sword, but he did not forbid me from using them as teaching props in the study. Cillian doesn’t have to wield them in order to learn something from them.”
“Oh, I see what yer sayin’ now.” Hamish was the first to catch on. “Ye want them in the study to lure the lad in, but he doesnae have to use them to fight.”
“Exactly.” She nodded.
Anthony suddenly clicked his fingers as the penny dropped. “By the Gods, that’s a genius idea. An’ I think I ken exactly what yer lookin’ for. We can use the wooden swords an’ shields we keep to train the lads when they just start out.”
“One of each will do just fine if you can manage that,” Sophia said encouragingly.
“There’s an even bigger selection if we ask some of the lads with bairns. They are bound to have a few toys lying’ around.”
“An’ if there aren’t any to yer likin’, milady, I’ll make them meself,” Anthony added triumphantly, not wanting to be upstaged by his friend.
“Thank you, gentlemen. I knew I could count on your help.”
“Anytime, milady.” They both bowed and glared at each other when they realized neither of them was getting the individual attention that they craved.
Hamish reached out and pushed Anthony again, sending him reeling to the side.
Sophia laughed heartily and shook her head. “I’ll leave you to your work, then, gentlemen. Thank you so much for your help. I am forever in your debt.”
Hamish straightened and raised his hand to his head in a salute. “Ye’ll have the requested items as soon as we can get them, milady.”
Hugging herself as tightly as she could, Sophia left the men standing beneath the tree and made her way back up to the castle with haste. She couldn’t wait to go to her room and pull one of the blankets around her shoulders. Perhaps she could even persuade one of the maids to keep the fires lit in the study while she worked. She stopped on the stone stairs that lead into the hall when she heard a cough.
