The Earl's Entanglement (Border Series Book 5)(62)

Conrad always seemed to know everything. He wasn’t sure how, though perhaps it had something to do with the vast number of women who shared his bed or his affable nature. Either way, it had been that way since they were children. And he didn’t disappoint.

“She must have brought some of Linkirk’s men. There were more men attending her than you sent as escort.”

“How many?”

“More than twenty.”

His mother would be cautious after the attack. Rightly so.

“You’ve not changed your mind then?” Conrad asked.

Conrad still did not agree with his decision. Hell, Garrick would hardly have believed it himself a couple of months earlier, but the love he’d found with Emma was the sort that changed a man from the inside out.

Nay, he’d not lose her. Though this past week of waiting for his mother had nearly killed him—especially since he knew Graeme de Sowlis was with Emma—he was more determined than ever. He’d been furious, of course, that night. She’d run from him, turned her back on him. But on the cold ride back to Clave, he’d come to respect Emma’s fortitude. It was one of the qualities he loved most about her. And it made sense that a strong woman who’d long felt controlled by her brother would encourage him not to let anyone influence his decision.

“Aye, Conrad. I’ve just this moment changed my mind,” he jested. “Thanks to your wise counsel, I shall tell my mother the wedding is no longer delayed. Indeed, it can commence at once.”

They climbed the stone stairs toward Clave’s main keep. Its rear entrance, a door accessible only from the path they walked upon, which led directly to the training yard, was nevertheless guarded by two men. He was taking no chances after the attack. Garrick nodded to both guards before resuming his speech.

“I will, of course, need to send a messenger to Kenshire to inform Lady Emma of my decision. Pity the Scots chief is gone.”

Conrad’s sidelong gaze told Garrick he would attempt to match wits with him. “And if he’s not? Perhaps he is still there, an honored guest of the earl and his wife. He’s not bound by the chivalric code as we are.”

Garrick would not allow his friend to goad him. He attempted and failed to keep a straight face. “The only code you keep, Conrad, is to avoid the tip of an angry husband’s sword.”

Conrad, unapologetic, followed him through the dank corridor and up another set of stairs within the keep. “There was a time, my friend, I could rely on you to do the same. If I could have chosen any man least likely to fall in love . . .”

“You say the word as if it were poison.”

“And indeed it may be, if I am forced to go to battle to defend you.”

Garrick still hoped it would not come to that.

They arrived at an entrance to the great hall. “And this is where I leave you, amusing as you are, my friend,” Conrad said. “You’ll want time alone with your mother, no doubt.”

It appeared word of his mother’s arrival had reached the castle as well. Mable stood in the middle of the great hall, her hands expressive as she ordered the servants to and fro.

Despite his words, Conrad lingered. He looked at him, waiting for him to speak. “You know I disagree,” Conrad finally said, “but I admire you as well.”

Garrick would not have been more surprised if Conrad had announced he was finally going home. “Admiration from a skeptic such as yourself. A mighty fine compliment indeed.”

Indeed, Conrad appeared to be quite serious. “I know you blame yourself for your father’s death, but marrying the Scottish heiress will not bring him back. Though I do still believe you should marry her.”

The conviction in his words gave Garrick pause. It was, perhaps, the first time the two men had been in complete disagreement on such an important decision.

Conrad’s eyes widened at something behind him.

Garrick turned to see why his mother’s appearance should so shock his friend, for the rush of cold air and raised voices had announced her arrival.

What he saw at the entrance made his blood run cold.





23





He’s not coming.”

Emma sat in Sara’s chamber, staring at the flames in the hearth. When she first came to Kenshire, she had been shocked at the size of it. In most castles, it would be considered large for a great hall. Though she’d since become accustomed to many of the luxuries at Kenshire, she still appreciated them.

Even after a pleasant visit with Graeme, a man she’d come to like very much—though like a brother—she still could not bring herself to tell Geoffrey about Garrick. She promised Sara she’d do so, but it was as if he, and not her intended, were the final barrier between them.

“Mayhap because you told him not to come?”

If only she could deny it. “What could I have been thinking?”

Sara looked down at Hayden, who lay sleeping peacefully in her arms. She didn’t answer right away.

Each night, Emma imagined Garrick’s lips on hers. She thought of his warm, capable hands touching and exploring her body. She woke in the morning with the memory of visions still quite clear, her body craving his touch as much as it did food and drink. Her ears craving the sound of his voice. Her mind craving his conversation.

Other times, she was quite proud that she’d pushed him away, encouraged him to take his time and be sure of his decision. He would give up too much to be with her. Risk too many lives.