As he’d lain awake, with Ellena soft and pliant in his arms, he’d come to the decision. He would tell her everything. Tell her that her father planned to marry her off once again and that he, Braedan, had been offered the stewardship of Castle Swein.
If, by some miracle, she still allowed him to speak at the end of his declaration, he would ask her to be his wife.
In the darkness he’d almost convinced himself that it could happen. If she agreed, they would find a little village, with a priest willing to marry them, before they returned to Ogmore. The Earl would be presented with a fait accompli and there would be little he could do about it.
He’d fallen asleep, his arms wrapped tightly around Ellena, believing in the impossible.
Morning had brought reality crashing down upon him. Ogmore would never accept their marriage and Braedan couldn’t expect Ellena to live in poverty with him once her father turned them away from his castle. He owed his sisters more than that as well. Without his good name he’d have nothing to support them, and he wasn’t so selfish that he’d ruin their futures for his own pleasure.
He’d staggered from the bed, unable to bear the comfort of her arms while knowing he’d never be able to do so again. He’d leant against a tree and fought a battle with his body, which had urged him to go back inside and wake Ellena, so they could finish what they’d started the evening before.
His body had just begun winning the argument over his conscience when Walden had appeared silently from the woods and all hopes of being alone with Ellena again had faded into the morning mist.
It was just as well. Ellena could never be his, and tormenting himself with visions of her as his wife was a waste of time. A fact that had been brought home to him when she’d emerged from the hut dressed in clean clothes and no longer wearing his ring. He still felt the pain in his stomach that had hit him when he’d seen her bare finger.
She hadn’t given the ring back to him, and he hoped she would keep it as a token of their time together. Although it was more likely that she would throw it in his face when she learned of his betrayal.
Despite the warmth of the day outside, the inside of the castle was cool. The fire which burned continuously in the large hearth warmed the solar. As they stepped into the high-vaulted room Braedan was hit by the smoky scent, but even though it was reassuringly familiar he couldn’t allow himself to relax.
His years as a page and then as Ogmore’s most trusted knight had taught him to read his liege. It was a fact he’d kept to himself and one which had served him well over the years. The Earl was up to something, and until Braedan knew what it was he couldn’t let his guard down.
‘Where’s Stoirm?’ asked Ogmore as he lowered himself into his chair—the largest and most comfortable in the solar.
Braedan remained standing. He would only sit if asked.
‘Stoirm is dead, my lord,’ he stated calmly, even as his heart twinged.
Ogmore nodded. ‘And my daughter has arrived looking less than pristine. I think you’d better sit and tell me what has happened.’
Braedan sat down opposite Ogmore. His chair wasn’t cushioned, but he didn’t mind that. Softness made people weak, and he needed all his strength right now. If Ogmore thought Ellena looked bad now, it was a good job he hadn’t seen her two days ago.
Behind him he heard members of Ogmore’s court filing into the room, talking in low voices, probably hoping to hear what passed between Ogmore and his head guard.
He rubbed his beard. ‘Lord Copsi presented us with some problems.’
Ogmore raised an eyebrow and glanced towards his personal guards. ‘You may leave us for the moment.’
The two men faded away, but they would remain nearby. Braedan knew this because he had trained them himself, and they were amongst the best. He didn’t doubt they would turn on him if given the order by Ogmore. He’d expect no less of them.
As succinctly as possible he ran through the events of the last week, avoiding any mention of sharing rooms with Ellena and passing as quickly as he could over the fact that they’d been alone for some considerable time.
‘You were alone with my daughter for nearly ten days,’ Ogmore said calmly, once Braedan had finished his report.
Braedan curled his fist against his thigh. Yes, it was true he’d been alone with Ellena for that time, but surely Copsi’s actions should be Ogmore’s first concern. Copsi had threatened Ellena’s safety over and over again; that was an insult which would need addressing.
Braedan knew better than to question Ogmore. Ogmore would be looking for the detail in everything Braedan said, and for him to show a marked interest in Ellena would go badly for both of them.
‘I was alone with Ellena, but I swear on my honour that I treated her with the respect she deserves,’ he said solemnly.
Beads of sweat formed on the back of his neck and he was glad Ogmore’s guards had moved away, so there was no one else to spot his discomfort.
‘Will she say the same?’
Ogmore’s look was piercing, and Braedan shifted in his seat. Despite his resolve not to show any emotion he was quickly becoming undone under Ogmore’s scrutiny.
He paused for a moment while he mulled over how best to answer. He was sure Ellena wouldn’t want what had transpired between them in their most private moments to become common knowledge, but she might mention that he hadn’t allowed her as much freedom as she was used to.
‘Occasionally,’ he said eventually, ‘Ellena may have felt I was a little harsh on her. But I only ever acted in her best interests.’
Ogmore nodded thoughtfully, an expression Braedan couldn’t read crossing his face.
‘And yet if it becomes common knowledge that you were alone together the chance of her making a good match will be gone.’
Braedan’s wound burned as he tightened his clenched fists. Why was Ogmore focusing so much on this? He must know that Braedan could be trusted not to gossip after all their years together. Braedan had kept far greater secrets than being alone with a noble-born woman.
‘My men will not tell anyone,’ he ground out.
Ogmore nodded. ‘See that they don’t.’
‘Is that all, my lord?’
Braedan wanted this interview to end, before he punched the Earl for focusing on Braedan’s actions rather than on Copsi. Clearly Braedan would have to make sure the insult to Ellena was repaid by himself, because it didn’t look as if Ogmore was going to do anything about it. Hitting Ogmore would be satisfying, but it wouldn’t do him any good in the long run, so he managed to restrain himself.
‘That’s all for now,’ said Ogmore, a look close to amusement crossing his face. ‘In two days’ time there’ll be a feast to celebrate my daughter’s return home. There’ll be a jousting competition in the afternoon. I’d like you to oversee it. The men will all be vying to impress me and Lady Swein, but no one will cheat if they know you are looking over their shoulders.’
Braedan nodded briskly and stood. ‘I’ll speak to my men. We will ensure everything runs smoothly.’
As they always did.
‘I know I can count on you, Braedan,’ said Ogmore softly.
Braedan began to move away.
‘Oh, and Braedan...?’
Ogmore’s voice still had that silky, soft tone to it. Braedan stopped in his tracks, the hairs on the back of his neck standing to attention.
‘Copsi has been spotted in the town. I fear your men didn’t do a good enough job of scaring him off. I want him watched at all times, but don’t approach him.’
‘What?’ growled Braedan, unable to hide his shock at Ogmore’s words.
Ogmore raised an eyebrow at Braedan’s tone, but Braedan didn’t apologise. This surely had to be Ogmore’s idea of a joke. There was no way that man should be allowed to roam freely in the nearby town. It presented a terrible threat to Ellena’s
safety.
‘I want Copsi to show his hand in front of me. If I’m lucky he’ll do something so outrageous I can be rid of him forever.’
It took all Braedan’s years of training for him not to seize his liege by the throat and squeeze the life out of him.
‘Copsi isn’t just your enemy. He is someone who has threatened your only daughter,’ he spat out. ‘You cannot seriously be considering letting him stay so close to Ellena. What if the rash thing you are hoping he will do is to kill your daughter? Is your petty feud really worth that?’
Ogmore stood slowly and stepped towards Braedan. The Earl was tall, and often used his height to intimidate people, but Braedan was taller. He pulled himself up to his full height now, so that Ogmore had to look upwards to meet his eyes.
‘How interesting that you call my daughter by her given name,’ said Ogmore smoothly.
Braedan shook his head. He refused to be distracted.
‘Lady Swein was kind enough to grant me the use of her name during our journey together. It won’t happen again,’ he ground out. ‘But Copsi, my lord—he cannot be trusted to be within the same county as your daughter, let alone in the nearby town.’
For a long moment Ogmore only looked at Braedan. His steely gaze seemed to be trying to penetrate Braedan’s soul to see what secrets were hidden there. Braedan fought to keep his expression blank.
‘Why don’t you leave Lady Swein to me and worry about your own role in this castle instead?’
Ogmore turned away from him and beckoned to his steward.
Braedan was clearly dismissed.
He turned on his heel and swept down the length of the solar.
Ogmore might think Braedan was obedient to his commands, but he wasn’t going to blindly allow Ellena to be so close to a monster without his men’s complete protection.
He would sacrifice everything to make sure she had the future she deserved.
Chapter Fourteen
‘Your father wishes to see you,’ said Aldith as she bustled into Ellena’s room, carrying a bowl of warm spiced water.
Ellena couldn’t fault Aldith’s attention to her since they’d been reunited. Perhaps it was the thought of staying close to Merrick, or maybe it was her father’s impressive wealth that was influencing her behaviour. Whatever the cause, it was very pleasing. Even in the warmth of her mother’s welcome she was still feeling more alone than ever before, and Aldith’s company was reassuring in a world where everything seemed to be running away from her.
In the two days since she’d arrived at her father’s fortress she’d seen Braedan only once. He’d been her anchor during some terrifying times and without him she was adrift.
As she and Aldith had walked across the courtyard yesterday afternoon she’d caught sight of him, striding along the battlements high above her. He’d frozen, as if he’d sensed her gaze on him, and then he’d turned to look down to where she’d been standing. For a long moment their gazes had held, and then he’d turned, striding away from her as if nothing had happened.
Aldith had tucked her arm through hers and tugged her along, chattering about the braid she wanted to try out on Ellena’s shortened hair. She’d not commented on her mistress’s strange behaviour, and Ellena was grateful for her discretion—whether it came about from loyalty or was because Aldith didn’t want to serve a lady mired in scandal.
Whatever it was that had caused Aldith’s behaviour, Ellena was thankful; she didn’t think she’d have been able to come up with any kind of conversation at that point.
Just one glance at Braedan had set her heart racing and her body awash with unfulfilled desire. Desire she’d had no idea she could feel until Braedan had awakened something inside her. Now she could no longer sleep at night, because she was so tormented by dreams of soft lips and sure, caressing fingers.
From that brief sight of him it had been clear he wasn’t being tortured in the same way.
Ellena had allowed Aldith’s words to wash over her as her fingers had trembled against the folds of her dress. She’d stumbled back to her room in a daze and let Aldith begin to dress her hair. But the smooth action of Aldith running a comb through its length had reminded Ellena of Braedan’s strong fingers gently tugging at the strands...
That had taken her right back to the questions that had been revolving around her head for the past few days.
Had the time they’d been together meant nothing to him? While he’d slowly but surely taken pieces of her heart, had he remained completely unmoved? Perhaps all their shared companionship had been a ruse to keep her calm and contained throughout the journey. That must be the case, because why else would he now be acting as if they were strangers and not two people who had spent some of the most exhilarating hours of Ellena’s life together.
Although all logic argued against it, she wanted to speak to him again.
If she could only see him alone... But Aldith accompanied her everywhere.
The only place she might have been able to approach him without censure was during the evening repast, but he was avoiding mealtimes even though the rest of his men were attending. She wanted to ask Aldith if she knew what he was doing, but she didn’t dare draw attention to the fact that he was in her every thought.
‘Shall I get you ready, my lady? I don’t think we should keep your father waiting.’
Aldith’s words brought Ellena back to the present and she realised she was just standing next to her bed, staring into the distance. This really wouldn’t do.
‘Yes. I’ll wear the blue dress with the embroidered hem,’ she said decisively.
This was the moment she’d been waiting for. The chance to talk to her father about her future. She needed to push all thoughts of Braedan out of her mind and concentrate. Her freedom depended on how well she played this meeting. Her father was always one step ahead of everyone else, so she needed to keep her wits sharp and focused.
Aldith helped her to wash and together they pulled on Ellena’s gown. It was one her mother had given her as a present. She was touched that her mother had remembered her favourite colour and had had the dress specially made up for her.
Flung in the corner of her room was the dress she’d worn on her frantic flight from Castle Swein. She didn’t know if the gown could ever be repaired, and she wasn’t even sure she wanted it to be. It was a visual reminder of everything she’d gone through, and eventually would be the only thing she had left of that intense week.
Her fingers fluttered over the purse which was tied to her belt. She really should give Braedan back his ring, but she couldn’t bear to part with it just yet.
Her footsteps echoed loudly on the stone staircase as she made her way to her father’s private room. He did a lot of his work in there but he rarely used it to meet people, preferring to display his authority in the solar.
Only his family were allowed in this private sanctuary, and a visit was rarely a pleasure. She squirmed as she remembered several disapproving lectures from her father which had taken place there. Ellena didn’t know if he’d chosen a small room specifically so his large presence was able to dominate the space, or whether she’d been so in awe of him as a child he’d only seemed to fill the chamber.
Hopefully today it would be different. She would hold her own against her formidable sire and prove that she was a worthy steward for Castle Swein.
The door to his room was slightly ajar, with his two personal guards flanking either side.
‘I won’t need you here, Aldith. You’re free to do as you please this morning. We’ll meet back in my room before this afternoon’s entertainment, so you can help me get ready.’
‘Very well, my lady,’ said Aldith, dropping a small curtsy which made Ellena smile before walking away.
Ellena ran her hand down her dress, smoothing out any creases, and then reached up to check her veil was still in place. Everything
was perfect. Now all she had to do was remain calm, whatever her father did to throw her off course. She’d already planned what she was going to say—she just had to persuade him that she was right.
She took a deep breath and pushed open the door.
The Earl of Ogmore was sitting behind a large, wooden desk, his fingers pressed together as his elbows rested on the surface. He didn’t move as she stepped into the room, his gaze fixed somewhere to her left.
She turned to look at what held his attention and gasped.
Braedan was standing next to her, his intense gaze fixed on her father.
He was looking neater than she’d ever seen him, with a smart clean uniform and his dark blond hair brushed away from his face. His beard had been neatly clipped, and she resisted the urge to reach over and gently feel the bristles.
She tapped her foot on the stone floor.
The sound seemed to snap the two men out of their silent stand-off and they both turned to look at her.
‘Lady Swein,’ said Braedan, bowing slightly in her direction. ‘I hope you have recovered from the ordeal of your journey.’
She had felt amusement at Aldith’s formality but her heart throbbed at Braedan’s. All familiarity had gone from his tone of address.
‘I am well, thank you, Sir Leofric,’ she said quietly. ‘How is your arm?’
His eyes flickered at her question, and for the first time since she’d entered the room he met her gaze.
‘My arm is fine, thank you, my lady.’
His lips twitched slightly and she wondered if he was remembering how annoyed she’d been at his continued insistence that his arm was ‘fine’, despite the arrow that was wedged in it.
‘I am glad,’ she said, trying to inject some of the warmth she was feeling towards him into the tone of her words.
For a brief moment he held her gaze, the look in his eyes unreadable, and then he turned away from her.
The Warrior Knight and the Widow Page 16
