Embracing the Knight

by Langston, Jenn

  By the time they arrived at Avange Manor, Claire felt more like herself. Gazing up at civilization, she couldn’t help but smile. These past few days had lasted an eternity, and returning to the world seemed a little strange, but welcome.

  When they entered the drawing room, they were met by a young lady whom Claire suspected was near her age, and a gentleman who reminded her of Ian. His smile held the same amount of charm she’d come to expect from Ian.

  However, the object of her thoughts was not present. A sliver of disappointment touched her, but she reminded herself Ian would be returning at some point in the day.

  “Please allow me to introduce my children,” Lady Starsen began. “This is Lord Marcus Hera, Earl of Starsen, and my daughter, Lady Annalise Hera.”

  Hearing his name had Claire’s attention focusing on Lord Starsen. She remembered Marcus. Although the years took away the boyish features, his face was familiar. Taking in the cane he held in his left hand, she had no doubts to his identity.

  “It’s a pleasure to see you again, Lord Starsen, and to meet you Lady Annalise.” Claire curtsied.

  Lord Starsen took her hand and bowed over it. “It is we who have the pleasure. Welcome to our home.”

  Unable to help herself, Claire smiled at the mischievous glint in his eyes. It was easy to see why Ian and Lord Starsen were friends. Their personalities suited one another.

  Lady Annalise stood. “Marcus, leave her alone. I’m sure Miss Ashford is tired from her journey. Please allow me to show you to your bedchamber.”

  “Thank you.” Claire inclined her head, feeling relieved. She hadn’t had a moment to sort out the occurrences of the day and needed time to take it all in.

  “Then, once you are settled, you must allow me to give you a tour,” Lord Starsen said. “I would be honored with your company.”

  “I would be pleased to do so, my lord.”

  Before another word could be spoken, she followed Lady Annalise out of the room. Considering Claire hadn’t spoken to Ian, she wasn’t exactly sure what her story should be, nor did she know how long she would be here. Her midsection fluttered with uncertainty. She wished Ian were here. Why couldn’t he have woken her up and explained everything to her this morning before leaving?

  “This is my favorite of the guest bedchambers,” Lady Annalise explained as she led the way into the room at the end of the hallway. “It awards the best view of the gardens.”

  Claire smiled as she crossed the room to experience the breathtaking view. In the distance, she could see the stream she and Ian had followed to lead them here. Her heart did a flip as she thought about their first encounter with that stream.

  “It’s beautiful,” Claire agreed.

  “I’ll leave you to settle in, but first I want you to know any friend of Lord Knightly is welcome here for as long as they’d like.”

  Stifling a gasp, Claire tried to keep the emotion off her face. “How do you know I’m acquainted with the viscount?”

  Horror flashed across the girl’s face. “I didn’t mean to upset you. I just . . .” she dropped her gaze to the floor. “I saw him arriving early this morning, but don’t fret. Here on Avange Manor, we are not unfamiliar with scandal. As such, everyone is trustworthy to a fault and knows how to keep quiet.”

  Not exactly sure how to handle Lady Annalise’s declaration, Claire watched her. The lady wrung her hands and kept her eyes averted. Clearly, she shouldn’t have been imparting the information.

  “That is good to know,” Claire replied, still wary.

  “I do hope we have a chance to speak later. It’s been a long time since I’ve had news from London.”

  After agreeing to find a time to chat later, Claire saw the girl out and closed the door. From the moment she’d awakened this morning, it had been a strange day. Apparently, that fact didn’t intend to change anytime soon.

  As she lay on the bed and stared up at the ceiling, she wished for Ian. Having been in his constant company for three days, it was disquieting to not have him here. On the other hand, she wasn’t sure how to act when she saw him.

  After all, she didn’t know the etiquette for addressing someone with whom you’ve given your innocence.

  Ian threw back his brandy as he sat in the drawing room of Claire’s father’s house. As her brother, Gordon, refilled Ian’s brandy, Gordon’s ever-present gloves squeaked on the glass. Looking away, Ian tried to not show his anxiousness to leave. He couldn’t help but worry about Claire. The need to discover how she had reacted when she found him gone, had him tapping his fingers on the arm of the chair.

  Leaving this morning had been one of the most difficult feats he’d done, to date. Her silky brown hair had been splayed across the pillow and a sated smile graced her lips. Not pulling her into his arms and taking what she’d offered had hurt, a deep and physical hurt. The opportunity had passed, but it was only a temporary setback. One day, he would make Claire his.

  His friend returned to his seat, his eyes never leaving Ian. “So, Claire is with your godmother?”

  “Yes. Lady Starsen will take good care of her.”

  “Thank God for that. When you and my sister did not return with the others, I half expected the two of you to return from Gretna Green.”

  Ian forced himself to laugh. “That sounds like something Claire would do.”

  “Did you sleep with her?”

  Choking on his brandy, Ian leaned forward as he tried to clear the alcohol from his lungs. “How can you ask that? She’s your sister.”

  Seemingly unconcerned over Ian’s coughing fit, Gordon leaned back in his chair and crossed his ankles. “Which is why I must ask.”

  “Don’t be ridiculous. You know how I feel about her.”

  Gordon narrowed his eyes. “To be perfectly honest, I’m not sure anymore. Now, just answer the question. A simple yes or no will suffice.”

  “Claire is as innocent as she was before our journey.”

  At this moment, Ian was pleased he’d managed to keep his restraint with Claire. More than once during the night he had regretted his choice, but those efforts had kept him from having to lie to his best friend. That little bit of honesty had cost him dearly.

  “Then, cheers to you.” Gordon held up his glass. “You managed to save her from the elements and return her intact. When will Lady Starsen be bringing her along?”

  “Actually, you and I are going to fetch her. Lady Starsen no longer travels to London, and I need you to keep up appearances.”

  Gordon groaned. “What if I have no wish to leave London? Harriet will be performing tonight. I promised her I’d not miss it.”

  “Your sister is more important than your mistress.”

  “Of course she is. My worry over her has brought about sleepless nights and stressful days. However, now that I know she’s safe, I can see to Harriet once again. Surely, Lady Starsen can make an exception this once.”

  Setting his glass on the side table with a clink, Ian rose and paced the room. Claire was expecting him tonight and he refused to disappoint her. Besides, he also could not ask his godmother to break her oath regarding London. After Lady Annalise’s scandal, she’d vowed to never return.

  “I wish father could attend you,” Gordon added.

  Ian stopped. “We must save Claire’s reputation, not make it worse. Having the ill Baron Dailey marching to Avange Manor to collect his daughter would not offer favorable results. You and I, however, will be more easily ignored.”

  An undisguised sigh filled the room. “I know, but that doesn’t mean I like it. How long do you suppose this is going to take?”

  “At least a week. After all, the story of her visit wouldn’t take if it only lasted a day or so.”

  “Very well. Then we can leave after—”

  “No. As soon
as your bags are packed, and Claire’s as well, we will be off.”

  “I will agree to this, but you owe me.”

  As Gordon shuffled from the room grumbling, the words filled Ian with guilt. He already owed Gordon his life. Although he, Gordon, and Marcus had managed to save the duke’s son from the fire and survived as well, it had been at a cost.

  Pushing it from his mind, Ian settled back into his chair and let thoughts of Claire fill him. Unable to sit still, he tapped his foot against the ground. He wouldn’t allow her brother to deter him any longer, regardless of how much he owed the man.

  Claire sat in the drawing room, nervously picking at her borrowed gown. The day had been tedious, and Ian had yet to emerge. She had kept to herself and was grateful the other residents seemed to understand her need for space, but the waiting had become interminable.

  On the verge of giving up hope that Ian would return, she heard voices in the hallway. Ian. The sound echoed throughout her body and accelerated her heart. How was she supposed to act around him? Heat touched her cheeks to remember their last moments together.

  Why had she’d hoped for his return? Since her reputation was saved, she didn’t know what to make of their night together. Did he still plan on marrying her? Part of her hoped it to be so, but the other still rebelled at being wed as an obligation, to be trapped in a loveless marriage. She couldn’t bear sitting by, watching as he took on mistresses, while his gentlemanly offer of marriage turned him bitter toward her.

  As soon as Ian entered the room with their hosts and her brother, she shot to her feet. Feeling her insides melt, she took in the sight of him and committed every part to memory. God, she had missed him.

  “Miss Ashford.” Ian inclined his head toward her in a greeting. “I . . . am glad to see you are well.”

  His eyes moved from her as if that was all the greeting she deserved. Biting her lip, she tried hard not to follow his stride into the room. Sorrow snaked its cold embrace around her heart and clogged her throat.

  Swallowing, she cleared her face of her emotions as Gordon crossed the room and pulled her in for a hug. It felt good to have him here. For a moment, she allowed his warmth to wash away the hurt from Ian’s indifferent welcome.

  “Claire, I’m so glad to see you well.” He spared a glance at the other occupants in the room. “That is to say, I worry when you travel without me, so here I am.”

  “Thank you, Gordon,” she forced out as she took his arm and sat beside him on the sofa.

  As the others took their seats, she allowed her eyes to fall on Ian again. He sat beside Annalise and seemed to be unaware of Claire’s presence. Hurt lodged in her throat, again.

  Gordon leaned toward her and pitched his voice low. “How are you doing? I understand you have been unharmed.”

  “I am well. Although the journey wasn’t exactly pleasant, considering the outcome, I can’t bring myself to complain.”

  “That’s a relief. When you didn’t come home, we—”

  Fear pricked her skin. “You didn’t tell father did you?”

  “No. Of course not. In his condition, he doesn’t need anything to add to his mind.”

  “That is good. I assume his illness hasn’t improved in these last days?”

  Her brother shook his head, and she sagged in her chair. The illness that caught ahold of her father didn’t seem to want to let him go. Over the past year, his health progressed from bad to worse. Biting her lip, she cast melancholy from her thoughts. Now was not the time.

  Feeling his stare, she slid her gaze to Ian. His eyes were on her, and for the first time since he entered the room, he seemed to acknowledge something between them. Her heart thundered, but as soon as Annalise opened her mouth to gain his attention, Ian turned away.

  Confusion rippled through her body. She wasn’t sure what she was supposed to do or think. Clearly, Ian saved her reputation so she would be free to choose another man to wed. He didn’t want her and probably never had. The secret hope that she’d been wrong about his feelings for her vanished.

  Putting her shoulders back, she vowed to move on. It would be easy this time. After all, she hadn’t lost her heart to him. She swallowed. Seeing as her heart was intact, then why did it hurt so much?

  Sitting at dinner later that night, Ian had trouble keeping his eyes away from Claire. She appeared to be back to her normal self, and he especially enjoyed seeing her eat her meal. The ecstasy in her eyes made his body burn and rejoice at the same time.

  Keeping his distance from her earlier in the drawing room had nearly killed him. He’d wanted to sprint to her and crush her to him, and it took everything he had to hold himself back. The adoration in her eyes when he first walked in haunted him, as did the hurt when he ignored her. He hoped no one else noticed the exchange. It wouldn’t do well for her to display in her expression what they’d done together in private.

  “Lord Knightly,” Lady Annalise said from his right. “I understand you recently returned from your estate. I trust everything is well.”

  He smiled hearing her reiterate the story he had told her mother. “Very well. Thank you for asking.”

  “It’s a fine estate.” Lady Annalise leaned closer toward him. “I miss the days when we’d visit. Perhaps we can go for a ride here like we did at Knightly Manor.”

  “It would be my pleasure.”

  “Tomorrow morning, then. I shall wait for you at the stables.”

  Ian nodded, surprised at her exuberance. After her scandal, he had noticed her demeanor had changed. However, this was no longer the shy girl he had to coax out of herself. He wondered at the transformation.

  When the ladies left the men to their port, he couldn’t help his relief. Being unable to talk to Claire proved difficult and every time he looked upon her, he felt exposed. As if the entire table of people noticed his every glance.

  “So Ian, Gordon, what brings you here?” Marcus settled back in his chair with his port.

  “I’ve come to collect my sister,” Gordon replied. “Ian is just here for the adventure.”

  Marcus’s eyes snapped to Ian, a glint lighting them up. “Then, she isn’t yours?”

  Biting his tongue, Ian shook his head. He regretted not obtaining Claire’s consent to marry him before leaving her. He had ridiculously decided it was better for her to know she had a choice before making a decision. Now, he may have lost his chance.

  He wanted to warn Marcus off, but he couldn’t let his intention toward Claire to be known, just yet. After spending three nights alone with her, if he claimed her for himself, Gordon would suspect his motives. Ian refused to have Claire’s brother, or anyone for that matter, question his reason for marrying her. He couldn’t bear to have it said their connection was to save her reputation.

  “Glad to hear it. Then, she is fair game.”

  “Absolutely not.” Ian had to work hard to keep the rage out of his voice. “She is a lady.”

  The thought of his friend touching Claire had him regretting pushing him out of the way of the falling timber in the fire all those years ago. Instantly, Ian regretted the untrue thought. That would have saved his own flesh from being scalded, but Marcus and the duke’s son might not have survived.

  After finishing his glass of port, Marcus poured another. “That’s pretty clear and one of the reasons why she would be a good choice for a wife.”

  Gordon gasped. “But, we’re only twenty-three. Why would you want to throw away your life like that?”

  “I wouldn’t say marriage is all that bad.” Marcus shrugged. “Besides, after what happened to Annalise, and my lack of dancing skills, I refuse to return to London. As such, there are only a few ladies out here to select from. However, I have already ruled out the majority of them. From what I’ve learned today, Miss Ashford seems perfect.”

 
Uncomfortable with the idea of Claire marrying Marcus and being confined in this house with the rest of them, Ian shifted in his chair. Even though he couldn’t let his friends know that he, too, wanted to marry Claire, he couldn’t let Marcus have her.

  “I’m not sure that you’d be able to keep Miss Ashford from London. I also understand she has her heart set on traveling,” Ian explained.

  Wiping a hand across his jaw, Marcus looked off over their shoulders. “Then, I’ll simply have to convince her that Avange Manor has everything she could hope for.”

  Ian’s heart sank as he thought about Claire. At one point during their trek through the forest, she had decided to give up her dream in order to marry Lord Higgins. Would she do that again for Marcus?

  He didn’t like this. Having competition meant he would have to change his plan when it came to Claire. No longer would he have time to court her properly.

  Marcus better beware. Ian had no intention of losing Claire. Not without a fight.

  Claire walked through the garden with a sense of peace. It had been two days since she had arrived at Avange Manor. As such, she had begun to appreciate her time in the woods. After all, one could never find true solitude inside the manor.

  The reminder of how Ian promised her she’d think fondly of their adventure made her smile. He’d been right. Not that she’d ever admit that to him.

  Thinking about him made her feel a little sad. These past days, the only moment they’d had to talk was within a large group of people. And, although he found an occurrence to take Annalise on outings, he’d never mentioned doing so with her. The thought that he treated her exactly like the other women he’d been with bothered her more than she cared to say.

  Reaching out, she plucked a flower from a bush. As she fingered the delicate petals, she recalled her childhood game of plucking petals to ascertain a gentleman’s affections.