He drank from his ale, looking at me over the brim. “How did ye find her?”
“I fell ontae her lands. Every time I jumped away I came straight back again.”
He shook his head. “It seems that the messenger has given me instructions tae find the vessel that led tae my sister. Twas foretold.”
I said, “I wonder who the messenger was?”
Max shook his head. “I daena ken.”
Then he leaned forward, and teased, “And ye need tae explain how ye came tae sleep beside a lass all night while keepin yer hands tae yerself.”
I smiled. “Apparently I hae been cursed with reasonin’. Tis yer sister’s fault. She was verra frightened when she was captured. I had just told her that she was a princess when the men attacked.”
“Och nae?—”
“I had tae keep her warm, tae find food so she wouldna be hungry, and find shelter for the nights.” I grimaced. “Och, twas a chore tae keep her from complaining, all while I saved her from danger.”
“Tis her right as a princess.” He spun his mug, then asked, “What is she like?”
“She has a sparkling wit, she needs tae be taken care of, but also will keep good company on a ride. She will spar, tease me, but also she will take teasin’.”
“Tis unlike most women.”
“True. And she cooked a meal all on her own, twas delicious.”
Max said, “Ye liked protectin’ her? Ye are usually independent. I hae never known ye tae want tae take on the responsibility of a lass.”
I said, “I hae made oaths before: I promised tae keep ye safe.”
“And ye hae caused me a great deal of trouble through the years?—”
“I also saved yer life more than once.”
“Tis true, but ye dinna allow me tae finish. My point, Torin, is ye dinna usually want tae tie yerself tae the keepin’ of a lass, or the takin’ of a wife. This is all verra interesting.”
“The princess gave me a reason tae change m’mind.”
He nodded, considerin’ it. Then he asked, “I wonder if she is much like my mother?”
“I daena ken, but I think the princess will make a fine queen someday.”
Max nodded.
Then shook his head. “Ye are meant tae marry a Scottish maiden, Torin. Yer father is a baron, ye are one of the earl’s men. The maiden ye marry could be verra fine, but ye daena get a princess, ye ken it?”
I said, “Aye.”
He continued on, “And ye dinna hae permission. Ye are well over yer station.”
“I ken.”
“I am not sayin’ ye couldna ask for permission, but I canna tell ye twould be granted.” He watched me, then added, “Even with the prince, the future king, vouching for ye.”
I nodded. “I ken this, I am not askin’. She haena given me any reason tae ask. I kept her safe and brought her home, tis as I promised.”
His gaze was piercing on my face, then he said, “I’d like to meet her, though I suppose I could go tae the kingdom, win the throne, and then return for her…”
I said, “Aye, twould be for the best… I suppose. I do wonder if she is well.”
