The Knight (Highland Guard #7.5)(40)

His gaze fell to Joanna appreciatively before he quirked an eyebrow at James.

James’s eyes narrowed. He turned to her. “Joanna Dicson, may I present Sir Thomas Randolph.”

Joanna’s eyes widened. So this was the Bruce’s nephew and James’s infamous rival. She looked at him appraisingly, a look that he returned twofold.

Finally, he took her hand and gave her a gallant bow. “My lady. Beauty such as yours is not easy to forget. I remember seeing you before; I regret that we did not have a chance to meet.” He shot a smug look at James. “Douglas here doesn’t like competition.”

James made a noise that sounded suspiciously like a growl low in his throat. “Let go of her damned hand. And I like competition fine—assuming I had any.”

Sir Thomas just smiled. “Glad to hear it.”

Taking up the challenge, he plopped down onto the bench next to her and proceeded to flirt so outrageously with her for the next half hour, she thought the vein bulging at James’s temple would burst.

True to the reputed fierce rivalry between them, Sir Thomas seemed to enjoy seeing how far he could push his friend, and when his hand accidentally landed on hers as they both reached for their goblets, James’s uncharacteristic forbearance found its breaking point. “Do that again, Randy, and I’ll put my dagger through it.”

Sir Thomas grinned, the threat seeming only to amuse him. But he did pull his hand away. He took a long sip of wine, casually popped a few more of the handful of precious grapes he’d availed himself of into his mouth, and finally got down to the business that had brought him here. “I hope this feast means that you’ve handled whatever ‘emergency’ has kept you from my uncle’s side.” His gaze flickered to Joanna for just a moment. “He’s growing rather impatient for your return.”

James’s expression hardened. He kept his gaze fixed on Sir Thomas. “I’m afraid he will have to wait a while longer. I cannot return yet.”

“It isn’t a request.” All jesting fell away as Sir Thomas’s expression turned deadly serious. “I’ve been ordered to bring you back.”

James’s mouth fell in a stubborn line. “I need a while longer.”

Joanna could no longer stay quiet. Her hand went to James’s arm imploringly. “You cannot refuse. You have to go. You do not need to do this to prove anything to me.”

The stubborn glint in his eye suggested differently. “I will not leave until things are settled between us, and I will not force a decision upon you until you are ready.”

Joanna could feel Sir Thomas’s gaze moving back and forth between them. Suddenly, he burst into laughter. “My God, she refused you!” He took her hand and lifted it to his mouth. “Brains as well as beauty. My lady, you are a true prize. I wondered at the woman who could make a man refuse a royal bride, but now I understand. You are a lady of rare taste and discernment. I may just have to fight Douglas for you after all.” He shot a laughing glance at James, who appeared to be struggling to keep his temper in check. “She refused you,” Sir Thomas repeated again. “Just wait until Hawk hears about this.”

Joanna might have wondered at this man named Hawk, but she was too stunned by what Sir Thomas had said. She turned to James in utter disbelief. “A royal bride?”

The temper he’d been fighting to keep in check turned to embarrassment when he met her gaze. “It’s nothing.”

She glanced inquiringly at Sir Thomas, who was only too eager to explain. “My uncle offered him a betrothal to my aunt Margery. Douglas here refused and said there was only one woman he would marry.”

Joanna felt the blood drain from her face. She couldn’t believe it. She alone knew how much an alliance like that would mean to James. It was everything he’d wanted. And he’d refused?

She couldn’t tear her eyes from his face. “Is this true, James?”

He shot an annoyed glare at Sir Thomas. “Aye, but he left out one part. I said, ‘if she’ll have me.’”

“Why did you not tell me?”

He shrugged, genuinely confused. “I did not think it important. It has nothing to do with us.”

Tears of happiness blurred her eyes. If she had any doubts left about his sincerity, they were gone. Bruce’s sister. She couldn’t believe he’d given up that kind of alliance for her. He did love her. He did really want to marry her.

And she wanted to marry him. Her heart swelled as the first tears slid down her cheeks. But they were tears of joy, and it was with a smile that she whispered, “She’ll have you.”

He took her hand, his eyes locking on hers. She could see the intensity of the emotions he was fighting hard to contain. “Do you mean it? I’ll not have you forced by anything he says.” He gestured with his head toward Sir Thomas.

Blinking back tears, she laughed and nodded. “I’m sure.”

He let out a whoop of joy mingled with undeniable relief and gave her a fierce hug before dropping to his knee.

And there, before the entire Hall and the rival who would stand at his side three weeks later after the banns were read as he married her, James Douglas, Lord of Douglas, asked Joanna to marry him for the second time.

This time she said yes.

EPILOGUE

Park Castle, three weeks later