The Earl's Entanglement (Border Series Book 5)(27)

I am a grown woman who is well aware that Garrick Clave is neither available nor desirable. As such, you’ve nothing to fear.

He had not meant to overhear their conversation.

Neither available nor desirable.

He was not available. But if Emma thought to convince herself she didn’t desire him, she was doing a poor job of it. Garrick knew women nearly as well as he knew his way around a training yard. And every sign told him the feeling was mutual.

“Shall we stop, my lord?”

Garrick, deep in his own thoughts, hadn’t realized they’d already ridden for several hours. “If the lady requires it.”

At sunset, they would likely have to accept Graeme de Sowlis’s invitation. As much as he despised the idea of bringing her back there, Emma’s warmth and security needed to be his priority.

He stopped and waited, getting only a glimpse of her long cloak between his men. When they continued to ride rather than stopping, Garrick wasn’t surprised. Not only was Emma skilled at horseback riding, she was tough. Most other women would have begged for a reprieve by now. But Emma stayed with them regardless of the weather or terrain.

They pushed hard and were rewarded for their efforts. They arrived at Clan Scott’s land well before dusk, and Garrick sent word ahead to the chief.

This time, their host stood waiting for them in front of the doors of the great keep.

The chief looked behind Garrick as they approached.

He looked at Emma.

“Come, hurry inside,” Graeme said. “You must be freezing.” He clasped Garrick’s arm in greeting and leaned in to add, “Get inside quickly.”

The alarm in his voice evident, Garrick looked at him more closely. The man was worried about something. “What is it?”

“Rumors only. We’ll speak on it later.”

Since they were clearly secure this deep behind Graeme’s defenses, Garrick could not imagine why the chief appeared so anxious.

He tried, and failed, not to look behind him at the men. Or, more precisely, at Emma.

He watched as she joined them at the door, sparing him not a glance. Graeme greeted her as prettily as a man who was courting a lady. Truth be told, an alliance between Waryn and Sowlis made too much sense for his liking.

Garrick allowed himself to be led to the same bedchamber he’d occupied on the way to Dunmure. Having no desire to witness Graeme and Emma together, he instructed the handmaiden that he’d take the evening meal in his room. Garrick wasn’t surprised when the chief himself knocked at his door not long afterward.

“You’ll not join us for the meal?”

“Nay, I will not.” Garrick wasn’t feeling as gracious as he should toward their host. It wasn’t Graeme’s fault that he was in this hopeless, unhappy situation.

The other man looked at him a bit strangely, but he didn’t comment. He entered the room despite Garrick’s failure to invite him in.

“There’ve been rumors of a raiding party for the past two days,” he said, closing the door behind him.

“You’ve scouted for them, I assume?”

“Aye, of course. The scouts found nothing untoward. But I’d like to send additional men with you, at least until you cross the border.”

“If you feel it’s necessary, I will of course accept them.”

“You’ll take extra caution with Lady Emma.”

He resisted balling his hands into fists. “Of course.”

“I trust your visit to Linkirk was productive? How is your mother?”

“As one would expect of a woman recently widowed.”

“And your future wife?”

“She did not make the journey.”

Graeme raised his brows. “Poor Garrick. If it’s any consolation, I hear Magnus’s daughter is much prettier than he.”

“Ah, well then I look forward to our wedding,” he said.

Graeme laughed like a man who was not being forced into marriage. “You’ll not reconsider?” he finally asked. “’Tis a sure agreement?”

“As long as your intentions toward Lady Emma are honorable.”

Graeme’s jaw clenched, but Garrick didn’t care if he’d gone too far. Her safety was more important than his host’s sensibilities.

“That you ask is an insult.”

“You’ve noticed her extraordinary beauty.” It wasn’t a question.

“I have eyes, Clave.”

“And she is unwed.”

“My clan would not be pleased.”

“But they would support you.”

“You already have your answer.” Graeme smirked as if he didn’t suspect Garrick’s feelings for her.

Again, Garrick’s jaw clenched. His instincts had been correct. Which was the reason he should join them this evening to ensure the chief’s behavior was beyond reproach. But the thought of watching a courtship between the two sickened him.

“Aye,” he choked out.

With that, Graeme patted him on the back and left the chamber.

Another knock just moments later announced a serving girl carrying a wooden tray laden with food and drink. He took it, offered his thanks, and promptly began to drink.

Pacing the room, he ignored the food and reconsidered his position. He should go down there. He needed to ensure her safety.