Emerald Knight

by Michelle M. Pillow

  But he couldn’t say such things to her. She didn’t want to hear them. He knew nothing about love, didn’t think that he might be feeling it. But he did acknowledge a tenderness for his wife--a tenderness he had felt for no other.

  Lifting a small ring wrapped around his pinkie finger, he angled it to her. Forcing a careless smile to his face, he said, “I should have given you this the night we were married. But I give it to you now when you are at an age and mind to properly receive it.”

  Ginevra stared at the ring, gulping she looked down at her bare hand then back again. Wolfe took the thin band of gold and slid it onto her finger.

  “I thought you might like this one best, since you don’t seem to put much stock in jewels,” Wolfe admitted. And then, clearing his throat uncomfortably, he stood. Hopping over her and back onto the bed, he pulled her to him. He kissed her lightly before letting her go. “I’d be honored it you wore it. Don’t throw this one back at me, Gin.”

  “Thank you,” she whispered softly. Touching the band, she looked at him with a deep tenderness. “It’s perfect. I promise to never take it off.”

  Wolfe smiled his charming smile and pulled her back into his arms. Nestling her against his body, he softly kissed the top of her head. They talked through the evening of many things--things light and unimportant. Wolfe kept his wife close to his side, laughing at her anecdotes and humorously telling her some of his. And neither one dared to mention their feelings again.

  Ginevra gave Robert a hesitant glance. Twirling her belt off of her finger, she lifted her hand to scratch thoughtfully at the back of her ear. The crisp air of afternoon surrounded them, sweeping over the courtyard with its gentle intensity. The sun was bright, perfect for a wedding.

  “I must admit, I am--was surprised,” Ginevra said at last. They had been walking in silence. “I mean, Helena?”

  “I know, Gin. You haven’t always gotten on with her. I hope that it will change now that you both are older. She really does want to be your friend. She just doesn’t know how to talk to you.” Robert slung his arm lovingly over his sister’s shoulder, steering her toward a shaded bench. “I don’t think you realize how intimidating you can be to other women.”

  “Me?” Ginevra laughed. She shook her head. “Surely you jest.”

  “Nay,” Robert sighed. Sitting, he waited for her to join him. “You have grown well, Gin. You are smart. You don’t care what others think of you, so you leave them powerless against you. You will someday be a countess--”

  “It’s very strange to hear such things,” Ginevra broke in. “I still have a hard time thinking of you as a baron. When I am with you it seems like we are children again. I keep waiting to feel my hair dipped in ink, or to discover a frog hidden in my trunk wearing my ribbons.” Robert’s chuckle joined Ginevra’s. “He was awfully cute.”

  “How are things with you? I understand you were at tournament,” Robert paused meaningfully, “with Wolfe.”

  Ginevra suddenly turned pink. Wolfe was out with the earl, spending time with his father as they rode over Whetshire land. She’d slept the whole night within her husband’s arms only to be awakened late in the morning by his nuzzling kisses. They made love by the fireplace. Ginevra couldn’t remember ever feeling happier than she did when she was with Wolfe. Robert cleared his throat to draw her thoughts back. She couldn’t meet her brother’s pointed gaze.

  “Are you blushing, Gin?” he asked in surprise. For a moment he studied her carefully. “So things are well betwixt the two of you then?”

  “Yea, brother,” Ginevra sighed blissfully. “Very well, I think.”

  Robert watched the light sparkling in Ginevra’s eyes with a frown. He could see the tender emotions inside her that she didn’t realize was there. His frown deepened as he realized his sister had more than just a passing tenderness in her heart for his friend. She was completely taken with Wolfe. Ginevra was in love.

  Robert tried to smile, but his lips felt tight. He knew that loving Wolfe would only bring his sister pain. Sure, a fondness was to be expected, even a bit of caring. But Robert knew well that Wolfe’s habits hadn’t changed over the years and he had no reason to believe they would in the future. If Ginevra truly loved him, like a woman loves a man, then she was in for a hard journey. Closing his eyes briefly, Robert prayed he was wrong.

  “Rob, what is it?” Ginevra inquired. A worried expression covered her face. She leaned a gentle hand on her brother’s arm. “Are you ill?”

  “Nay,” Robert choked. He opened his eyes to look at his sister. “Truthfully, I think I might be a bit nervous. After all, I am to be married later.”

  “But, Robert,” Ginevra teased. “Don’t you remember? Knights don’t get nervous. They are made of steel.”

  Robert eyed Wolfe wearily before taking a sip of his wine. The hall was decorated to that of the grandest occasions. Flowers adorned acres of material in sweeping gaiety. Candles were placed along the walls in grand holders. Lady Jayne ordered about the decorating servants, before going abovestairs to attend to Helena. In absence of Lady Isabella, the baroness sought to comfort the young bride.

  Suddenly, Wolfe laughed. Leaning over to Robert, he said, “Let us hope your mother gives my sister the same talk she gave yours. I am sure you will quite enjoy the misconceptions you will have to endure.”

  Robert scowled into his drink. He was still unnerved by his discovery of Ginevra’s deep affections for her husband.

  “Ho, but friend,” Wolfe continued to tease good-naturedly. His night spent with Ginevra left him feeling refreshed. He couldn’t keep the grin from his features. “At least I won’t make you wait three years to claim your bride.”

  “My bride is a woman, not a child,” Robert said.

  “What is ailing you?” Wolfe sat his goblet on the table. Turning his full attention to Robert, he asserted, “Your mood is foul.”

  “I spoke with Ginevra today,” Robert stated.

  Wolfe froze. His heart beat in low thuds. The sight of Ginevra’s naked body lined by firelight entered his mind. She seemed so happy to be with him. Had he been mistaken? Wolfe didn’t answer. He waited for Robert to continue. He knew his friend would be candidly honest no matter what it was that bothered him.

  “She appeared happy,” Robert stated at last.

  “And this upsets you?” Wolfe asked in surprise. His eyebrows shot up on his forehead.

  “Yea,” Robert stated carefully. “For I know that her happiness will not last. I have known you for many long years, Wolfe. And I have never called any man more so a friend. I know that no woman ever held your fancy for more than a passing moment. As soon as your appetites have had their fill, you leave them.”

  “I made them no promises,” Wolfe inserted weakly. He was shocked that Robert would assume such things. “They knew what they were doing.”

  “Yea, they did,” Robert admitted. “Ginevra is different. She is not one of those roving harlots that follow the tournaments seeking a knight to spread her legs. She is pure-hearted. She doesn’t understand the games that you play.”

  “It’s different with her,” Wolfe put in. His gut twitched. Ginevra had said as much. She asked him not to treat her as he did others. Is that how everyone saw him? Is that how he was?

  “Is it?” Robert asked. “Have you made promises to her?”

  “Nay,” Wolfe began, remembering that she didn’t want him to speak of such things. His fist tightened around his goblet. But, with little encouragement, he knew he would have readily spoken such promises. Would it have been wrong to do so? Would it have been a lie?

  “I think in time your interest will waver as it eventually does. Soon, you will look to another. When she sees this, it will crush her. I love Helena as any man can love a woman and I don’t care who knows it. She is for me; it is that simple.” Robert stared his friend in the eye. “However, you are not the same as I and--by God’s own truth--I don’t fault you for it, Wolfe. We are what we are. I think your appetites make you a
great warrior and I wouldn’t wish it otherwise. But, Ginevra is my sister. I don’t want to see you hurt her.”

  “But I think I care for her.” Wolfe’s breathing deepened. His heart raced with the tentative confession. He forced all emotion from his gaze.

  “That is well and good. You should care for her. She is your wife.” Robert sighed. Rubbing the back of his neck, he uttered, “And that is why I am going to ask you to leave to join King Richard early. She is new to being a wife. Surely your attentions right now might be misconstrued as something you can’t feel for her. She is vulnerable to you. Give her time to settle before coming back to her. Give her time to understand the difference betwixt physical pleasure and love. Mayhap by then her heart will have sorted through the emotions and she will be better equipped to see clearly.”

  “She said she loved me?” Wolfe inquired softly. His chest constricted. His mouth strained under the weight of his friend’s words.

  “Nay, she confessed no such thing.” Robert narrowed his eyes, careful not to betray his sister. Wolfe was too preoccupied with his thoughts to notice. “I just think that if you continue to dote on her as you obviously have been, she might fool herself into thinking ... incorrectly.”

  So you don’t think she could ever truly love me. You think me a cad, a philandering fool. Mayhap you are right. No man deserves the Sparkling Emerald. I will just cause her pain, Wolfe thought in dejection. Lifting his goblet, he took a long drink.

  “All right,” Wolfe consented quietly when he had lowered the goblet back to the table. The liquid choked in his throat. “If you wish me to go, I’ll go.”

  Wolfe didn’t want to leave. His heart beat painfully in defiance. He felt as if he never wanted to part from Ginevra again. But he couldn’t promise her the things he knew not how to give. He couldn’t promise to love her. He couldn’t promise that he would be forever faithful. Sure, now he could imagine such a life. But Robert was right. He had lost interest in women quickly in the past. Was Ginevra different? His heart said yea, but his mind still doubted himself. And if Robert, his best and most trusted friend doubted him, who was he to try and reason?

  Robert smiled slightly. “Thank you. I knew you would do the right thing. You will see. As soon as you are away from here, it will be clearer.”

  Wolfe nodded.

  “I still wish for you to be here tonight.” Robert took a drink, completely unaware of his friend’s discomfort in light of his relief.

  “I wouldn’t miss it,” Wolfe stated. He forced a smile. Standing, he downed the rest of his goblet. “I must see to my trunks if I am to leave on the morrow.”

  “I didn’t mean as soon as that,” Robert began.

  Wolfe held up his hand to stop him. Stiffly, he replied, “Why wait? The sooner I am gone, the better it would be for her. I care for Ginevra. I don’t want to see her hurt by my hand.”

  Robert felt a pang of guilt. An emotion flickered briefly across Wolfe’s dark eyes. Stiffly, Wolfe walked away from him toward the tower bedchambers. Suddenly, Robert began to doubt his own words. Mayhap he had been unfair to Wolfe. Mayhap, in his protectiveness, he had done more harm than good. Mayhap he should have left it alone. But whatever mayhap he should have done, it was too late to do aught else.

  Chapter Thirteen

  “M’lord has been hard to find,” Ginevra smiled prettily. Her wide green eyes shimmered in joy. She stood outside Wolfe’s bedchamber door. Leaning against the frame, she cocked her head coyly to the side. “Have you been avoiding me?”

  “Nay,” Wolfe smiled, surprised to see her standing before him. He had just been thinking about her. Pushing his traveling satchel behind his trunk with his foot, he stepped around the bed.

  Ginevra slowly walked into the chamber. The gown of dark blue linen she wore hugged her slender frame closely, outlining her form for Wolfe’s approval. Edges of her soft cream chemise peeked from under the gown. A small circlet fell across her forehead, only to disappear underneath her heavy upsweep of curls. Unconsciously, she flicked her thumbnail against her wedding band.

  Her eyes found and were held captive by Wolfe’s young, handsome face. Faint laugh lines had started to develop by his mouth, but were too thin to really notice. His hair hung free to his shoulders, soft in their gentle brown waves. A tunic, lighter in blue than her gown, fitted neatly across his shoulders. A gold brooch held a sweep of material to his shoulder. He looked every inch the nobleman.

  Wolfe nodded approvingly at her. Unable to stop the words, he murmured, “M’lady is quite beautiful.”

  Ginevra’s cheeks flushed with feminine pleasure. Wolfe stepped close to her and gently brushed his hand over her cheek. Her eyes grew completely captivated by his intense gaze. It searched her eyes, probing inside her for answers. He saw her open adoration looking back at him--pure and innocent. Robert was right. Ginevra was too good for him. He would only hurt her. But the knowledge didn’t stop him as he laid his hand across the back of her neck to pull her forward.

  Ginevra’s head tilted back to eagerly receive his kiss. His lips pressed affectionately tender along her mouth. Her eyes drifted closed as she breathed in the scent of him. Smiling pleasantly before the kiss ended, she murmured into him, “And m’lord is quite handsome. I think I shall be the envy of the hall tonight.”

  Wolfe chuckled. Drawing back, he let his hand fall from her. “I think I should stop lest I crumple your gown before we go belowstairs.”

  “Yea, no doubt my mother would have a fit.” Ginevra smiled mischievously. “Actually, why don’t I find some breeches? It would almost be worth--”

  “Nay, Gin. Don’t think it.” Wolfe laughed at the light that flickered in her playful eyes.

  Nonchalantly, she scratched behind her ear. “Well, we are making a public appearance together. I think that we should at least live up to our reputations.”

  Wolfe shook his head in bewilderment. Then, going over to her, he held out his arm. “M’lady, shall we?”

  Ginevra tried to feign annoyance and failed miserably. Taking up his arm, she asked lightly, “So what were you doing in your chamber? Were you packing?”

  “It’s just something I needed to attend to,” dismissed Wolfe, not wanting to tell her he was leaving quite yet. He wanted this night with her to be perfect. It just might have to last him many months, as he was off to war.

  “Oh,” Ginevra accepted with a small smile, never thinking to question him.

  Robert grinned over at his wife. Taking her gently by the hand, he squeezed it before turning back to his sister. He gave Ginevra a meaningful look and quickly nodded his head toward Helena. His eyes begged her to say something to the woman.

  Feeling awkward, Ginevra leaned forward and smiled tentatively at the bride. Seeing Helena’s thin cheekbones narrow slightly in apprehension, Ginevra sighed. “You make a lovely bride, Helena.”

  Helena’s gaze widened in surprise. Looking first to her new husband and then back to her sister-by-marriage, she beamed. Slowly she nodded her head, speechless.

  Ginevra didn’t miss the flicker of gratitude that filtered over her brother’s face. Robert turned to Helena. Their eyes held only each other. Ginevra leaned back in her chair.

  Turning to Wolfe, she tried to muster a smile. There had been little talk between them during the evening. Though both tried to make conversation, it never lasted. Wolfe seemed preoccupied. Ginevra didn’t know how to draw his attention back to her. Believing it just to be one of his many moods she had yet to get used to, she managed to keep her good spirits.

  “What?” Wolfe asked, when he caught her gazing past his shoulder. Turning, he saw only the wall.

  “Oh,” Ginevra gasped. Blushing, she admitted, “I’m just daydreaming.”

  “About,” Wolfe prompted, enthralled.

  “Well, it’s just nice to see two people so happy in their marriage. Look at your sister. She is beautiful, radiant.” Ginevra’s voice trailed off until it was a gentle whisper. “She’s in love.”

&nb
sp; “And Robert,” Wolfe whispered back. His eyes dipped to her mouth. Unbidden, he leaned toward her.

  “Yea and Rob. He’s obviously smitten,” Ginevra answered. Captured by his eyes, she didn’t think before saying, “It must be nice to have such a choice to--to be able to find someone, fall in love, and then marry them.”

  Wolfe froze. Ginevra gasped. Her face turned pale as she looked at him in horror.

  “Wolfe, I didn’t mean...” Ginevra lifted her hand to lightly touch his cheek. Weakly, she whispered, “I mean I’m fine being married to you. I didn’t intend on sounding discontent.”

  Wolfe felt his heart sink. He thought about what Robert had said. Maybe his friend had been wrong. Looking over the hall, he scanned over the heads of dancing couples. Suddenly standing, he bowed to Ginevra.

  She looked up at him in surprise. Taking him by the hand, she let him lead her to the floor. When she saw that he meant to dance with her, she faltered.

  “Wolfe, nay,” she began. She pulled on her hand to stop him from leading her forward. Panicked, she whispered furtively, “I can’t dance with you.”

  Wolfe turned in shock. Studying her shaking fingers, he let her go. His face hardened to her. At the same time their eyes met, their attention was drawn to a nearby table of knights who heard her whispered denial. They laughed, pounding their fists in drunken laughter.

  “The lady has a strong distaste for her husband. It would seem Lord Wolfe has lost his touch with the ladies,” one of the drunken knights jibed.

  Ginevra looked at them in mortification. Horrified, she glanced back at Wolfe. His face was red with anger. Bowing stiffly to her, he turned on his heels.

  Ginevra tried to go after him, but when she took a step, a hand on her elbow stopped her. Seeing Lora, she frowned.

  “M’lady, it’s time to escort the bride to her bridal chamber,” Lora stated.