The Earl's Entanglement (Border Series Book 5)(24)

They both looked toward the hall not far away from where they sat in the stone corridor. The cushioned seat overlooked Dunmure’s courtyard, the precious glass window a rare delight.

Bursting into laugher, they both spoke at once.

“I can’t believe you did that.”

“I’m glad I was there that morning.” Emma continued, “You . . . Sara . . . Catrina. Do any of the women in our family do things in the conventional way?”

“By conventional, if you mean marriage before the marriage bed, nay, I don’t believe so. Although”—Clara turned serious—“I don’t recommend as much for you. Especially if . . .”

“You’ve no worries there. As you said, he is to be married.”

“Into a family as powerful as any here along the border.”

“Aye.”

“And an alliance that will end the Baron of Inverglen’s mad claims to Clave’s earldom here in Scotland.”

She should not be surprised Clara knew of such things. Her friend, who had spent years running from possible political revenge in England, was very much involved in the politics of her clan and the happenings at the border.

“So I’ve heard,” Emma said.

Clara took her hand and squeezed it. “Then you know without it, Clave’s uncle will almost certainly gain enough support to start a clan war. One he will not likely win. But a war nonetheless.”

“I suppose I didn’t know that.”

“Emma, look at me.” If her friend was attempting to make her feel better, it wasn’t working.

“When Clave’s father died, his uncle wasted no time in attempting to take back the earldom. All know it. His mother came to Scotland to protect her son’s rights. And if there is a war, we will be forced to take sides. Clan Kerr can no longer remain neutral. Not with our alliance to Kenshire and the Waryns.”

“I understand,” Emma said.

“So if you are upset about losing the Earl of Clave to Lady Alison, then we shall find you another reason to be sad. Or, even better, one to be happy.”

Lady Alison.

Forget about Lady Alison. And, more to the point, forget about Lord Clave.

“You know how I feel about men like that,” Emma said, forcing a glib expression. “I’ve taken too many orders from my brothers to spend the rest of my life taking more.”

“Aye, but—”

“So he kissed me. And perhaps I wanted him to. But it matters not.”

“Good.”

“Lady Alison can have him.”

“Aye, and all his earlishness with it,” Clara said.

Emma pushed away thoughts about that, that perfect, knee-melting kiss, and hugged her friend again. “’Tis good to see you Clara. I feared my brother would never allow me to leave before spring.”

“And you, Emma. Now let’s go see what trouble we can muster.”





10





Two weeks and a day after she’d arrived at Dunmure, Clara and Emma sat in the same alcove as they had on the first day. Two weeks of sharing and laughter that Emma would cherish always.

“Everything is ready for him.”

Emma looked up, wishing Clara could come with her. “I’ll miss you desperately.”

“Can you imagine? The next time we meet, I’ll have a wee one for you to greet.”

“Oh, no you will not. I will return before she’s due to arrive.”

“Emma, ’tis not an easy journey. There’s no need—”

“That’s quite enough. I’ll decide whether there’s a need.”

The door creaked open. “He’s here.”

Emma looked at Alex, a man just as tall as Garrick but with shorter, lighter hair. Though he would no doubt make for a fearsome enemy, the Scots warrior had only smiles for his friends. He’d been nothing but kind to her on her extended visit. Emma had always liked Alex. Perhaps because she’d sensed from the start how much he cared for Clara, although the course of their relationship had been complicated by Clara’s disguise. She’d pretended to be a lad, a squire, for years to escape possible retribution for the role her father had played in the revolution against the king. Finally, Alex’s love and her friends’ encouragement had allowed her to live as herself, unafraid and proud.

From observing the two together, Emma knew Alex was as charmed by Clara’s quirks as she was. He plotted with their cook to make at least one of her favorites at every meal, not a difficult feat as she had many of them.

“I’m so happy for you,” she said to neither of them in particular.

By now, Alex knew of her “indiscretion,” and he had not hesitated to offer his opinion, which was—unsurprisingly—much the same as Clara’s. Luckily, she’d nearly gotten that kiss out of her mind. Instead of thinking about it every waking minute, she only did so when other thoughts didn’t occupy her.

Well, it was a start.

But she didn’t look forward to their return journey, especially since Edith had sent word that she’d be returning to Kenshire instead. The short rest at the inn had not been enough to hearten her for the journey. Emma was surprised her brother hadn’t made an appearance at Dunmure. He would not be pleased to think of her traveling alone with the earl.