The Earl's Entanglement (Border Series Book 5)(60)

He held out the mantle to her. “Because you are.”

She walked toward him, turned, and allowed him to place the warm covering over her shoulders. And then he wrapped his arms around her. Even through the thick material, she could feel the power of his arms, firm and secure.

“What is Graeme de Sowlis doing at Kenshire?” he whispered in her ear.

“Is that why you’ve come?”

“Aye.”

Again, she attempted to turn around. Again, Garrick stopped her.

“Why?” he asked. He sounded pained, the raw emotion in his voice stopping her from giving a glib answer.

“He was invited by my brother without my knowledge.”

Garrick pushed the hood away from her neck, allowing him better access. His breath was warm against her flesh.

“How did you get in here?”

In response, he kissed her neck. Though it was the gentlest of touches, it sizzled through her body, her response to him as instantaneous as always.

He finally turned her around and captured her lips with his own. Garrick’s mouth slanted over hers, his tongue turning the fire between them into an inferno. It licked at them, engulfing her body as she struggled to get closer to him.

How had he come to be here?

Did she care?

If they were caught . . . if Geoffrey found them like this . . . if Garrick started a war . . .

She ceased caring about any of the very real obstacles that stood between them. Nothing mattered but the man who held her, cherished her with his body and soul.

“When I learned he was riding toward Kenshire,” he murmured against her lips.

“How did you know? How did you get in here?”

He held her head between his hands. Desire pooled in his eyes. He wanted her, and she wanted to give herself to him. More than anything.

“I do not want Graeme de Sowlis,” she said. “I want only you.”

He groaned, capturing her lips once again. “Oh God, Emma. I need you.”

She pulled away but didn’t break eye contact. “Don’t leave.”

But she knew he was not going to listen. She felt him holding back. Knew, instinctively, their time together was already coming to an end.

His next words proved her correct. “I can’t stay. I shouldn’t be here at all. But I had to see you. Had to be sure.”

“I promised to wait for you.”

“I love you, Emma Waryn. I will find a way for us to be together. But for now . . . I have to go.”

“You’re really leaving?”

He reached for her cheek, his ungloved hand running down her face. “I cannot be found here now, not with Graeme in attendance. But I had to see you.”

“Garrick, you never answered me.”

“I’ve scouts everywhere, on account of my uncle. When I heard Graeme was making his way to Kenshire, I snuck inside.” He didn’t smile. “Announcing myself would be as good as a declaration for you—”

“A declaration you cannot yet make.”

“My mother will be at Clave any day. I must speak with her first.”

“To get her permission?”

“Nay. To give her the courtesy of knowing that I intend to start a war.”

“But surely—”

“It was my uncle.”

She blinked.

“The attack. The men were hired by my uncle. All the more reason that my mother should be safely in England.”

“Your uncle? Are you sure? How could he?”

Garrick tightened his arms around her.

“Aye, we’re sure. The border lords’ reach is wide. After the council, it was only a matter of time before someone learned the truth. The men were mostly Scottish, but one that was captured, an English mercenary . . .”

Emma didn’t like the look in his eye. “Garrick?”

His jaw clenched.

“You spoke to him,” she asked.

“Aye.” This . . . this was the crusader. The warrior. The knight trained to kill.

“What will you do?”

Garrick sighed. “I will tell my mother about the attack and my uncle’s part in it. I will break the betrothal, attempt to pacify Magnus without making a bitter enemy. And my uncle . . .”

She wasn’t sure she wanted to know.

“He will pay for his actions.”

“And Linkirk?”

He didn’t answer. Garrick didn’t care about his Scottish title. From what she had seen, he cared only for Clave, but his mother was another matter altogether.

“I have to go,” Garrick said.

“Garrick, are you sure what you’re doing is wise?”

His eyes narrowed.

“To break the betrothal, knowing about your uncle’s role in the attack? He will never rest with you as the Earl of Linkirk, and if you’re married to an English lady, you’ll have no claim—”

“Except a legal one. Emma, the title is not his by right.”

“But I will be responsible for—”

“You’ll be responsible for nothing. Emma,” he said definitively. “This is my decision. If my uncle was truly willing to go to such lengths knowing the betrothal was imminent . . . he’s become careless. Foolish. And you—”

“Will be the ruin of your family.”