Highland Hawk: Highland Brides #7 by Greiman Lois

Author:Greiman, Lois [Greiman, Lois]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Highland Brides, Fiction, Romance, Historical Fiction, Regency, Medieval, Highland Flame, Scottish Romance, Medieval Romance, Genre Fiction, Historical Romance Series, Historical Romance, Historical Series, Highland Romance, Bestseller, Lois Greiman, HEA, Historical, HIghland Heroes, Genre Romance, Highland Jewel, Classic, Highland Wolf, Romance Series, General, Scottish Historical, Medieval World History, General Fiction
ISBN: 9781625172563
Publisher: NYLA
Published: 2013-07-29T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 16

"James!" Cat gasped. She rushed forward, but Haydan rushed past her.

"Lad, are you well?"

The boy opened his eyes slowly. "I think I forgot to warn Courtier of my intent," he said, his voice raspy.

"Come," Haydan commanded. Worry gnawed at him with ravenous teeth. "I shall take you on my own steed."

"Nay. I am well," said the lad and managed a single deep breath. "I am well."

"We go to Blackburn," Haydan ordered.

James caught him with a hard, slanted gaze, though it lost some of its effect due to his position on the ground. "I did not interfere when I found you afevered in the stable."

"That was entirely different," Haydan said. "I was not trying to kill myself on my horse."

"What exactly were you doing?" asked James.

"I...'Tis not the concern here," Haydan countered. "Where do you hurt?"

James shifted his gaze to Catriona. " 'Twould not be gentlemanly to say in a lady's presence."

"Oh." Haydan settled back a quarter of an inch. Broken bones and head injuries were serious. Bumps to the privates rarely were. He knew, he had taken his share. But then, he was not the crowned king of Scotland. There were few folk concerned with the condition of his privates. "We had best have Physic see to you."

"Leech!" James said and blanched. "Do you think I do not know what's said about him?"

Haydan raised one brow. "What is said about him?"

James motioned him forward. Hawk moved as commanded, leaning down to hear.

"He... prefers young lads."

"Prefers them to what?" Haydan asked, aghast that the sovereign king would have been privy to such gossip.

"Don't you know?" James asked, disappointed.

Haydan stifled a grateful chuckle. Perhaps the lad wasn't growing up quite as quickly as he had feared. "You needn't worry about Physic's preferences," he said. "I'll stay in the room with you."

James deepened his scowl and sat up slowly. "This is not so serious. 'Tis not as if I am about to die from the affliction."

"I had hoped for more than your continued survival," Haydan countered.

"Such as?"

"An heir to the throne eventually."

James grinned wolfishly. "Then you'd best explain how I might achieve that end."

The sight of that mischievous grin did more for Haydan's peace of mind than Physic's assurance ever would. "Now hardly seems the appropriate time for that lesson, lad."

"Tonight?"

"Can you stand?"

"Tomorrow?"

"You'll stand now. I'll tell you in two years."

"Two years! I might well be a grandfather by then."

"You'll not even be wed by then."

"I've heard one does not need to be wed."

"You've heard too much of late. Have you been talking to Kitchen Elsie's lad again? Here. I'll help you up."

"I can stand." James did so without assistance, though he winced a bit before straightening. "I'll not be returning to Blackburn yet, Sir Hawk," he said arrogantly. Haydan cranked one brow up a notch, and in a moment James added, "Please."

"As you wish, then. We shall stay for a spell. At any rate, it looks as if our meal has arrived."

A troupe of servants was descending the hill toward them—cup bearers, servers, tasters, and pourers—and James was already hiking toward them.

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