Free Rise of a Legend (Guardian of Scotland Book 1) by Amy Jarecki

his shoulder. “Do what ye must to protect your lands. I’ll not take an honest living away from any man.” Then he strode away.
    By the time William made it down the hill, the squall had passed, dusk had settled and his men had set to turning a pig on a spit.
    Blair handed him a tankard. “A bit of whisky ought to take that scowl off your face.”
    Grasping the handle, William held it up, the amber liquid sloshing in the bottom of the cup. “My thanks, though I doubt my spirits would rise even if I drowned myself in a barrel full.”
    Together they sat against a log near the fire—something they’d done often in happier times.
    “Ye’ll feel a bit better once we’ve found the culprits who did this.” Blair sipped from his own tankard. “I ken I will.”
    William joined him, the fiery spirit warming his insides. When he looked up, he met Eva’s stare from across the fire. The burning from whisky on an empty stomach kindled a raging fire that spread through his chest. Now she’d donned a proper dress, she looked ever so bonny.
    “I kent that lad was a lass,” Blair said.
    Willy took a longer draw from his cup. “’Tis a shame ye’ve taken up the cloth and I’ve this miserable band of patriots to lead. Someone should court such a delectable morsel.”
    “Bah.” Blair swiped his hand through the air. “Women only bring misery. We’re both better off without them—or her, bonny or nay.”
    William licked lips and smirked. “Ever the practical one.”
    “Ye’d best believe it. I wouldna have taken my sacred vows had I wanted a wife. And after we’ve driven the English out of Scotland, I suggest ye return to Dundee and take yours.”
    “Perhaps I will.” William sipped, watching Eva over the rim of his tankard. But this bloody war may never end .
    Sitting beside Robbie Boyd, Eva easily chatted with the lad. Robbie’s face was aglow as he spread his arms wide, spinning some ridiculous yarn, no doubt. How a lad of two and ten could enrapture a grown woman, William had no idea. He himself had never been particularly comfortable around lassies. They were inordinately frail creatures and always looked at him as if he were some sort of monstrous Goliath.
    Eva listened to the lad intently like she set his every word to memory. William picked up a stick and threw it into the fire. Ballocks, the wet-eared lad will be proposing marriage by the eve’s end .
    Having the woman consorting with his men went against William’s every grain. He hadn’t ruled out the possibility that she could be a spy. Bloody oath, in the blink of an eye, she could turn backstabber.
    Narrowing his eyes, William studied her. How could a woman concoct such an outlandish tale as hers? And her speech was nothing like he’d ever heard.
    William was a stalwart representative of the common good. He may not have taken up the cloth like Blair, but he would protect every living Scottish soul and fight for their liberty. Born to hearty, common stock, God had given William gifts most men only hoped for. Educated in languages and the art of war, he aimed to use everything in his power to help unshackle the commoners—the people who comprised the heartbeat of a nation.
    If Eva, with her broad tongue, truly was Scottish born, then he would care for her just as he would any other subject of the Scottish crown. That she honored William’s father by attending the funeral and remained prayerful whilst standing at a respectful distance spoke volumes about her character.
    I doubt she’s a spy .
    Perhaps she could remain at Ellerslie whilst she awaited suitable employment? He might even see the lass from time to time. She certainly was pleasant to look upon. With Ellerslie under Uncle Reginald’s watch, she would be as safe there as anywhere.
    Robbie draped his arm around Eva’s shoulders and leaned in to her with a hearty laugh.
    William sprang to his feet, marched around the fire pit and glared at the lad. “Go fashion a pallet in a horse stall