Page 58 of The Hawk Laird
And Gawain, on the fist, lifted his wings as if to bate. James scratched the yellow feet gently, and the bird calmed.
“What word of Geordie?” James asked. “Is he recovering?”
“He will be fine,” Patrick said. Not as tall as the others, his barrel chest and muscled limbs made him seem large as he fisted hands on his hips. “We have some trouble….but first, what are you doing with a goshawk?”
“Found him. Training him. What trouble?”
“We came through the forest and were chased by a patrol of ten men,” Quentin said. “Henry and Eustace were with us. Both were caught by arrows. We took them to Alice Crawford’s house and she told us we would find you here.”
“Are they badly hurt?”
“They will be fine. Alice sent you some food—Patrick has it in that sack. This sack,” Quentin said, handing James a bulky clothbundle, “is for the hawk. Alice said you might have a hungry hawk here. There’s meat for him.”
“My thanks.” James turned to Isobel. “We must leave, my lady.”
“Leave?” She looked surprised.
“Aye. You lads, go back to Alice’s house and guard it well. If those men were sent by Sir Ralph Leslie, they will return. They are looking for the lady. And Alice will need protection.”
He went to the back of the cave and returned with bow, quiver, and sword. Looping the quiver on his belt, he slung the bow over his shoulder and positioned the long broadsword in a sheath strapped on his back. Then he gathered the hawk’s a hood, jesses, gloves, and shoved them into a leather pouch at his belt. Feeding Gawain a chunk of the fresh meat Alice had sent, he turned to help Isobel drape her cloak over her shoulders. “Ready?” he asked her.
“Do we go back to Alice’s house?” she asked.
He shook his head, took her elbow, and turned. “Quentin, Patrick. See that Alice is safe. I will take Lady Isobel to Aird Craig.”
She turned with a questioning look. He tightened his grip on her arm.
“Leslie’s men will not find you there easily,” Quentin said. “Do you mean to hide the lass there?”
“I do,” James said.
“So,” Quentin said. “You will trade her for Janet?”
“What?” Patrick asked. “Trade her? It is not honorable, holding women like this.”
“Tell that to Leslie,” James said. “But he may make a trade for his betrothed.”
“Wait,” Isobel said.
“He might,” Quentin agreed. “A wonder he’s had Janet this long. That lass can be a trial.”
“Not easy to keep her against her will, true,” Patrick said. “A clever lass with the strength of two men.”
“She has what?” Isobel asked, looking from one to the other.
“You ought to know,” Quentin drawled to Patrick. “She was after you often enough. And I saw you go off into the greenwood with Janet a time or two.” He wiggled a brow.
Patrick blushed. “She were never after me. She were always after Jamie.”
“She favors you both,” James said.
“Me for my bonny face,” Quentin said, “and Patrick for his, ah….”
“For me courtesy,” Patrick supplied with a grin.
“But bold as she is, she needs our help,” Quentin added.
“Meet me on the height this evening.” James led Isobel to the cave opening as he spoke. “I will have a message for Ralph Leslie that you can deliver.” He took the girl and the hawk outside.
