“Aye, lass.” He clearly looked forward to goading Ada every step of the way. “Like myself, a mixed lot. A wee bit o’ Scots and an Englishman or two.”
“A mixed breed, then?” Duncan got out before Ada put him in his place.
“Dinnae talk like that, lad,” she scolded. “Count him blessed to be Scottish and do what ye can to help him grapple with his Sassenach blood.”
“Bloody hell, but ye’re a sharp-tongued lass.” Not offended in the least, Edmund smiled broadly, switching effortlessly to sounding English. “Might we travel then? Off to the wilds of Scotland and more sharp-tongued women like you?”
“Oh, I dinnae think ye’ll find lasses quite like my good ma,” Besse began before Ada shooed her along, scowling at Edmund in passing despite him being her savior.
“Ah, but ’twas worth all this for that wee lass alone.” Edmund admired Ada’s backside before his smile fell, and he turned his attention to Teagan, Greer, and Cecille. “What happened? Based on Randolph and Bartholomew’s men already scouring about, I assume things did not go as planned.”
“Nay.” Teagan shook his head and filled him in. “We must leave straight away and get over the border as soon as possible.”
“Aye, you did what you must, and I agree with your decision.” Edmund shook his head. “This does not change our plans any. I will still say I caught word of your betrayal and pursued you.”
“Whilst I appreciate yer help, ye need not go further than the border.” Teagan doused the fire, and they headed outside. “Ye could just as easily head home, lest risk yer good name.”
“And leave you to get these women and children to their final destination alone?” Edmund shot him a look that he should know better than to suggest it. “’Twill not happen, friend. ’Tis equally dangerous territory north of the border.” He shrugged as they joined the others. “Besides, you know I’m not much worried about my good name.”
Ada gestured in the direction of Randolph's castle and eyed Edmund. “So what happens when that lot catches up with us? I’d think more than just yer good name would be at stake.” Her eyes narrowed. “Unless ye take us prisoner and hand us over.”
“That willnae happen.”
“Then ’tis truly yer good name on the line.”
“’Tis nothing for you to worry yourself over, lovely.”
“Dinnae confuse worry with simple curiosity, Sassenach,” she replied a bit too quickly. She glanced at the Englishmen he had with him. “So, if I am nae mistaken, ye might have verra well sentenced these lads to certain death.”
“We understand the risks,” one of the men replied. He issued a loyal nod to Edmund. “And we came willingly.”
“Aye?” Ada's gaze narrowed on the man. “Whilst ye’ve my deepest thanks, ye ken ye’re riding into hostile territory? ’Tis dangerous up that way, especially for a Sassenach.”
“They ride to the border and no further,” Edmund clarified. “From there, they will go in a different direction in hopes of confusing our potential pursuers.”
“A move just as risky.” Ada eyed the men dubiously. “And surprising.”
“As you well know, having met Greer and her mother, not all English are your enemy, lass.” Edmund glanced from her children back to her. “Far more than you think would not approve of Randolph owning Scots and their wee bairns, never mind splitting them apart.”
Though Ada only offered a non-committal grunt in reply, she seemed less wary.
Edmund looked at Cecille. “The gem has been delivered to your brother, but I doubt ’twill be enough.”
“With men like Randolph, ’tis never enough.” Teagan shook his head. “Betwixt his wounded pride that his Scots got away and the jewels I’m sure he suspects Cecille still has, ’twill be surprising if he doesnae pursue ye straight into Scotland.”
Cecille sighed and nodded in agreement, her concerned gaze on Edmund. “What did Randolph say when the gem was delivered?” Her brows tugged together. “Assuming, of course, he allowed your messenger to leave.”
“He did, but then he was in quite the stir over receiving the gem,” Edmund replied. “I think he was less concerned, at the moment, about his niece or escaped Scots. Rather, his mind was on what that jewel could do for him.”
She shook her head. “Which, naturally, did not last long.”
“No,” he agreed. “Which is why we must leave soon.”
“What of Bartholomew?” Worry lit Ada’s eyes when she looked at Greer. “Mark my words, as long as he’s still breathing, that man willnae let ye go.”
“Then may God bring his neck to my blade sooner rather than later,” Teagan muttered.
Having a bad feeling about this, Greer frowned.
Moreover, she understood why he might not want such a thing to happen.
Chapter Nineteen
“Truly, I hear Bartholomew’s very good with a sword,” Greer insisted, not for the first time later that eve. She shook her head. “You would not know it looking at him, but that is what people say.”
They had been riding at a good pace and were closing in on the border. He and Greer rode together, Edmund with Duncan and Ada with Besse. Thankfully, the moon was full enough that they didn’t need to light torches.
“I’m better with a sword, lass,” Teagan reassured yet again. Whether he was or wasn’t, he was touched by her concern over his welfare and didn’t want her to worry. “So dinnae fret, aye?”
“I’m afraid such is impossible.” She glanced over her shoulder at him. “I fear breaking my word to Bartholomew will be your ruin.”
About that.
Enough with lies betwixt them.
This seemed as good an opening as any to come clean. He would not marry Greer without her knowing the truth.
“If for some reason Bartholomew was my ruin ’twould not be yer fault.” He shook his head. “Nay, I would have no one to blame but myself.”
When she glanced at him in confusion, he went on.
“I would have gotten Ada and her bairns away from Randolph whether or not ye agreed to be my wife.” Teagan sighed. “I only gave ye an ultimatum because I couldnae stand the thought of ye with Bartholomew.” He prayed she understood. “Whilst I’m sorry I lied, I wouldnae have ye suffer a life with him. Because ’twould have been suffering.”
Other than the slight flare of her pupils, it was impossible to gauge her response. Rather than reply right away, she faced forward, evidently coming to terms with his revelation. When her response eventually did come, it wasn’t quite what he expected but should have anticipated.
“Thank you for your honesty,” she replied. “In return, I will give you equal honesty.” She looked over her shoulder again. “Though I’m not fond of breaking my word, I like to think God would understand. That He would have wanted me free of a man like Bartholomew.” Her lips curled down. “What bothers me more is you marrying me for my dowry.”
She sighed and faced forward again, continuing before he could respond. “I understand ’tis how things are done, but that does not change the fact I wish it were otherwise. Whilst we have spoken at length about your clan’s hardship, and I’m eager to assist, I cannot help but wish it were of my own volition. That I was wanted for more than what I bring in coin.”