The Earl's Entanglement (Border Series Book 5)(70)

She pulled back to look at the face that was so similar to her own. Well, at least his eyes. And hair. She wouldn’t want to look like the rest of him, big brute that he was.

“The Geoffrey I was raised with would never have uttered such a thing,” she said.

He didn’t appear overly concerned. “Maybe I’m not that same man.”

Most certainly he was not, and thank goodness for it.

“But neither are you the same girl who amused herself by bringing roosters into the hall or hiding frogs in her brother’s bedchamber.”

Oh, Neill had been so mad.

“I’m sorry, Emma.”

“Sorry? Whatever for?” And why was he not lecturing her?

“You’re a grown woman, capable of falling in love. Marrying. Having children. And yet, when I look at you, I still see a girl. I can hear Father admonishing me to keep you safe.”

“He was a mite overprotective.”

“Perhaps. But he—and I—care only for your safety and happiness.”

Her shoulders sank. “’Tis too late for that.” She refused to say any more.

“Whatever happened today, I think you would do well to consider Graeme’s offer. You know I will support any decision you make, but—”

“I accept.”

She was not meant to be with Garrick Clave. And if she was going to marry a man she didn’t love, why not choose a handsome, honorable one who could be an ally to Kenshire across the border? One who lived close to Clara and a good distance from Clave Castle. She could not continue to live here at Kenshire, knowing that Garrick was close.

“I won’t allow you to make that decision now. Think on it—”

“Allow? Did you not just tell me I am a woman capable of deciding my own fate?”

He didn’t look convinced. “Wait until—”

“I accept his proposal,” she said with as much finality as she could muster. “But if you do not mind, I’d like to be alone.”

She pushed around him and ran—aye, ran—toward her chamber.

So she’d be marrying a Scottish noble after all. Just not the one she loved.





26





Garrick nodded to the maid who scurried past him, away from the lord and lady’s chamber, where his mother prepared for the evening meal. It was not the first time Garrick had the chance to speak to her alone. But the events of the previous day and this afternoon had deeply affected him. Emma had affected him.

When they were together, everything was perfect. He knew what to do, knew the only path forward. But then doubt crept in like the stealthiest of enemies, lying in wait to strike him down.

He’d chided himself for a fool as soon as Conrad had ridden off behind Emma. His friend’s admonishment to stay at Clave, though logical, had torn at his very core. He hated himself for letting her go.

And hated himself equally as much for what he was about to do.

He knocked on the door and walked in as soon as she bid him to enter. “Mother?”

She turned, her hand resting on the material that draped from the top of a decorative wooden pole at the corner of the bed. Silk hung from each of its four corners, the bed an elaborate example of the luxuries they enjoyed at Clave.

He’d give them all up, every one, not to have this conversation.

“Your father always hated these,” she said, running her hand up and down the bright green material. “I never asked him why, precisely, but I can imagine him shoving them away as if they were horseflies.”

“I’m sorry,” he said.

“As am I.”

He let her misunderstand.

She looked up as if seeing him for the first time. “Is something wrong?”

“Aye.”

She cocked her head to the side, a frown marring her normally affable expression.

“We need to talk.”

She motioned to a stool across from the bed, and they sat at the same time—she on the bed, he on the stool.

“It’s about Magnus. And his daughter.”

She still did not appear concerned. Yet.

He took a deep breath. “I cannot marry her.”

“You cannot . . .”

Garrick had steeled himself for battle many, many times. Disappointing her again was far more difficult. “I am in love with Lady Emma Waryn, the younger sister to the new Earl of Kenshire. I escorted her to Dunmure—”

“I remember you mentioned that when you visited.”

“And we formed an attachment. This is why I delayed the wedding. I never thought—”

She shook her head. “Garrick, you cannot break this betrothal.”

Gentle but firm. His mother’s way.

“I understand the repercussions and am prepared to face the consequences. But I cannot, will not, marry a woman I will resent for the rest of my days.” Garrick forged ahead. “I’ve learned that Uncle Bernard was behind the attack. I also understand that if I do not marry Lady Alison, his pursuit of the title will be relentless. Magnus will likely—”

“Declare Linkirk an enemy.”

“Aye.”

“Garrick, think about your actions. You—”

“Have made my decision.”

He hadn’t made it this morning after Emma’s visit to Clave. Or the day before when Magnus and his betrothed had surprised him in his great hall. Or even when he’d snuck into Kenshire, no easy task, after learning Graeme had traveled there from Scotland.