‘Do you think The Beast fell in love with her during their journey together? I heard a rumour that they were alone for over a week!’
Ellena sucked in a breath. No one was supposed to know they’d been alone together. As for Braedan being in love with her...she could believe he desired her, but, no, he didn’t love her. He wouldn’t have betrayed her if he did.
‘I doubt it. To do that he would have to have a heart... But perhaps something else transpired during their time together!’
The two maids giggled again.
Ellena raised trembling fingers to her cheeks and realised they were wet. She was crying and she hadn’t even realised it.
Was everyone gossiping about her like this? Her good name would be ruined—and, really, her name was all she had left. She willed the girls to move away, or to stop talking, but it seemed they weren’t finished yet.
‘Those scars of his are disgusting. No woman in her right mind would want to kiss that face.’
The woman’s clear disgust made Ellena’s skin crawl. Braedan might be deceitful, but there was nothing wrong with his face—the fact that she still wanted to feel his lips on hers was testament to that.
‘I don’t know...’ The other woman leered. ‘There doesn’t always have to be kissing, does there? With a body like that I can think of many things he’d be good for.’
Their sniggering began again and a flush rose up Ellena’s neck. How dared they talk about Braedan like that? Her fingers flexed with the desire to scratch their eyes out for their impertinence.
This time their giggling was cut short by a cool voice. ‘I think that’s enough gossiping, ladies. Return to your duties.’
Ellena was surprised to hear it was Aldith. She had imagined her maid to be at the forefront of any gossip, and she was rather ashamed to have thought badly of her.
The two maids scurried off and Aldith took her position at the bottom of the steps.
Ellena shrank back into the shadows. She was grateful to Aldith for stemming the tide of gossip, but she would still prefer not to be seen. She desperately needed time alone, and she knew that Aldith would cling to her like a burr if she discovered her hiding place.
After what felt like an eternity the jousting began and Ellena could see that Aldith had turned in the direction of the competitors. She slid out from her hiding place and crept behind a bush. Being careful not to be seen, she hurried away from the sound of voices before reaching the cool of a small copse of trees.
She took a deep breath of the fresh pine-scented air. The smell took her back to a more innocent time, when her only concern had been avoiding her brothers—not fighting for her freedom. It didn’t quite relax her, but it did ease some of the muscles in the back of her neck.
The path she’d used to follow down to the river was overgrown. She used her boots to trample over the brambles, relishing the ache of stretching her muscles for the first time in days. Eventually she reached the river and stopped to watch as it rushed and gurgled over stones; little fish were darting out from behind the shadows and then back again, as if they could sense a predator looming over them.
A rough hand grasped her arm and spun her around.
‘What the hell do you think you are doing?’ growled Braedan, his face white with fury.
Her rage matched his. ‘Get your hands off me!’ she yelled, struggling to get out of his grip.
He only tightened his hand further.
‘Are you so spectacularly cavalier about your own safety that you deem it safe to wander unaccompanied in your father’s grounds when you know that Copsi is nearby?’
‘I am safe because I am in my father’s grounds. Copsi will not harm me while he knows I’m protected by Ogmore guards,’ she protested as she tried to use her own fingers to peel his off her.
‘I thought you were less ignorant than that,’ hissed Braedan. ‘He will be looking for any opportunity to snatch you. He has spies everywhere in your father’s court and you’re quite alone out here. After all that we’ve been through I thought you’d acquired a grain of sense. It appears I was wrong.’
‘Not as wrong as I was about your good character,’ she replied, giving up trying to peel his fingers away and giving herself the satisfaction of poking him in the chest.
‘This isn’t about me,’ growled Braedan, capturing her fingers in his iron grip.
Desire flooded her as the warmth of his hand encased her skin.
‘It’s about you and your safety. Something you don’t seem to care about.’
She pulled her fingers free. ‘I care about my safety and my freedom far more than anyone else.’
An emotion she couldn’t read flickered in his eyes. She thought he might say something, but he didn’t. Instead he began to tug her back in the direction of the castle. She tried to dig her heels into the muddy ground, but he was too strong and she had to skitter along after him.
‘Let go of me!’
‘No.’
‘I can’t be seen in your company,’ she snapped. ‘There are already rumours.’
He stopped abruptly and she cannoned into him.
He let go of her arm and held onto her waist to steady her. She could feel the warmth of his hand through the fabric of her clothes and she hated her traitorous body, which wanted to lean into the comfort of him. She watched the rise and fall of his chest as his breath came quickly, almost as if he’d been running.
‘What rumours?’ he asked quietly.
‘Rumours that are unfortunately accurate,’ she said, stepping out of his hold.
This time he let her go, but she could tell from his stance that he would grab her again if she tried to get away from him.
‘Explain.’
‘I overheard two maids talking. It’s known that we spent time alone together and it’s being suggested that we...’
Suddenly she was back in the hut, his lips on her body, his hands awakening sensations she’d not known existed. From the darkening of his eyes she knew he was thinking along the same lines.
‘Aldith must have said something. My men know when to keep their mouths shut,’ he said huskily.
Braedan’s body seemed to be exerting some sort of pull over hers. She wanted to sway towards him, to lean her head on his solid chest and allow him to hold her as he protected her from the world. But it was a feeling she couldn’t trust, and so she folded her hands behind her back before they could reach out and touch him.
‘I don’t think it was Aldith. I heard her scolding the maids. And she didn’t know I was there, so she wasn’t saying it for my benefit.’
He scratched his beard and Ellena noticed the purple shadows beneath his eyes. He’d obviously been working hard since he’d returned to Ogmore and not had much sleep. No doubt he had his successor to train, she thought bitterly.
Her heart twisted and she stumbled away from him.
‘Ellena, wait...’
She shook her head. She didn’t want to hear what he had to say. If he tried to explain his actions her heart might believe him, and he didn’t deserve forgiveness.
‘I don’t want to hear any more from you,’ she snapped.
‘But I have things I need to say,’ he said, moving so that he was walking next to her.
‘You have nothing to say that I want to hear. You’re right—I should head back to the festivities.’
‘So you can get back to Earl Borwyn?’ he sneered, his lips curling in disgust.
‘Yes, so I can get back to him,’ she said angrily.
‘I see he’s as handsome as the rumours suggested.’
‘I think he’s more attractive than the rumours claimed,’ she ground out.
Braedan didn’t respond. His scar pulled tight around his angry mouth. She almost wished he would say something. She wanted to argue with him.
He reached out and pulled
aside a thick bramble which blocked her path.
She mumbled her thanks as she stepped through the gap. She didn’t want to feel grateful to him for anything. His ring still rested in her purse. She knew she should return it to him, but for some reason she didn’t mention it.
‘Do you know what Borwyn said to me earlier?’ said Ellena, stopping to look at Braedan, whose lips were twisted into a tight grimace. ‘He said that honesty between two people was important. But you wouldn’t know anything about that.’
‘I never lied to you,’ he snarled, taking a step towards her.
‘You lied by omission, which is the same thing. I’ll never forgive you for that.’
He stepped back as if she’d slapped him and she took the opportunity to dart away. After a moment she heard his hurried footsteps coming after her. She made it to the edge of the copse and burst into the sunlight.
‘There you are, my lady,’ said Aldith, scurrying towards her. ‘I was out of my mind when I realised you weren’t on the stand any longer. I’ve been searching for you all over.’
Behind her, Ellena heard Braedan emerge from the woodland. Aldith kept her eyes on her mistress’s face and didn’t turn in his direction. At that moment she could have flung her arms around her maid for her loyalty and discretion.
‘I’m sorry to cause you concern, Aldith,’ she said. ‘I wanted a little time on my own. I’d like to return to the festivities now.’
‘Of course, my lady. The jousting is going well, and I believe the Earl of Borwyn is going to have his turn soon.’
‘Let’s go and support him, then,’ said Ellena, linking her arm through Aldith’s and walking away from Braedan without a backward glance.
Chapter Sixteen
Braedan ran his hand over Ffoi’s fetlock. The horse had been limping earlier, but he hadn’t found anything to suggest the cause. He suspected Copsi of foul play, but he could find no evidence that the man had left the town, and he had not approached Ogmore’s fortress since he’d arrived. Braedan was having him watched constantly, and so far he was doing nothing more offensive than harassing serving girls.
The sound of footsteps sounded down the stable and he froze until he recognised Merrick’s distinctive gait.
‘Find anything?’ asked Merrick as his head appeared above the stable door.
‘No. What’s Copsi up to?’
Merrick sneered. ‘He’s got his eyes on the new barmaid at The Swan. Tanner and Walden are keeping an eye on him. I’ve got the rest of us watching his men.’
Braedan straightened. ‘And who’s watching Lady Swein?’
‘Aldith.’
‘Are you sure you can trust her?’
‘I know she didn’t get off to the greatest of starts with you, but she’s going to be my wife. I’d trust her with my life.’
‘I hadn’t realised things had gone that far,’ said Braedan, stepping out of the stall and closing the stable door behind him.
Ffoi nickered as he left, and he leaned over to rub the stallion on the nose.
‘Aye,’ confirmed Merrick, and Braedan’s heart thudded with something akin to jealousy.
He didn’t want Aldith for himself, but he wished he could find a wife as easily as his friend. As it was, his heart appeared to be tied up with a woman who hated him.
Braedan gave Ffoi one last pat. Merrick might trust Aldith with his life, but Braedan wasn’t going to trust her with Ellena’s. If he had to stand watch on her bedchamber all night then so be it.
Merrick followed him as he strode out of the stable and back towards the entrance to the solar.
‘With your permission, I’d like to go with Ellena and Aldith when they move to Borwyn’s lands.’
Braedan stopped abruptly.
‘Sir?’
Braedan sucked in a breath. Ellena was going to marry Borwyn, the lucky bastard. He needed to get used to that. She hated him, and he needed to accept that too.
‘Of course you can go, Merrick,’ he said thickly.
He resumed his walk towards the castle but changed direction. He didn’t want to enter the solar and find Ellena deep in conversation with her intended. He didn’t think he’d be able to stop himself from leaping across the room and tearing the man’s head off.
He’d grab something to eat from the kitchens and then find somewhere from where he could watch the door to Ellena’s bedchamber. He would only believe she was safe once Copsi was far away from Ogmore—preferably in another country altogether.
‘Of course, Ellena could return to Castle Swein,’ said Merrick conversationally.
Braedan growled. What must he do to get rid of his irritating friend?
‘She cannot return there. Her father will not allow her to run it by herself. She’d be too vulnerable,’ he snapped.
Braedan entered a narrow corridor and quickened his pace. Perhaps Merrick would get the message that he wanted to be alone and disappear off to find Aldith.
But Merrick refused to take the hint and followed closely on his heels. ‘There is one way she could return to Castle Swein,’ he said.
Braedan stopped. ‘What are you talking about, Merrick?’
Merrick shrugged; there was a look of innocence on his face that Braedan didn’t believe was genuine.
‘Perhaps the new steward of Castle Swein will want a wife. If that man did, then Lady Swein would be the best choice. We both saw how well the estate was prospering under her hands. Aldith tells me she is very highly regarded by everyone who depends upon Swein for their livelihoods.’
Braedan turned on his heel and strode away from Merrick without commenting. This time his friend didn’t try and stop him.
Rumours must be swirling, saying that he was taking over the stewardship of Castle Swein. Either that or Ellena had vented her wrath at the news to her maid, who had told Merrick. However word had got out, it now appeared that Merrick suspected Swein’s management would fall to Braedan. Merrick wouldn’t have come up with that suggestion otherwise. He was singularly uninterested in politics, preferring a simpler life behind a sword.
Nobody stopped Braedan when he stomped into the kitchens. Serving lads scurried out of his way as he took some hunks of meat and strode back out again, all the while with Merrick’s words bouncing around his head and tormenting him with thoughts of a life that he couldn’t have.
Ellena’s bedchamber was at the top of the east tower. It was meant to be the safest room in the castle and it would be difficult for an intruder to reach.
Braedan believed otherwise. The room didn’t give her any escape route if someone did try and attack her. He had wanted to move her elsewhere, and had made his case to her father. He’d been overruled.
He clenched his fists at the reminder of Ogmore’s disregard for the seriousness of the situation. If Ogmore refused to take the necessary precautions Braedan would have to protect her himself.
He bounded up the steps of the east tower and followed the narrow corridor which led to Ellena’s bedchamber. He moved past her door and further down the corridor, into the shadows.
The evening meal would be coming to an end soon, and he knew from his men who kept an eye on her that she didn’t linger long after it had finished.
Sure enough, he soon heard her light footsteps coming towards him and his heart rate increased. He roughly rubbed the skin above the sensation. This was getting ridiculous. He wasn’t some young girl with her first crush. He was a grown man and a seasoned warrior.
He’d meant to stay hidden from view. She was already angry with him. If she knew he was hanging around trying to protect her she would be furious. She was as wilfully stubborn about her own safety as her father. But as she rounded the corner he realised that once again she was alone and he snapped.
‘Why in God’s name are you not with Aldith?’ he roared, striding towards her, stopping when he was within a f
ew paces away.
‘You again!’ she snarled. ‘Why can’t you leave me alone?’
‘I’ll leave you alone when you finally understand what level of danger you are in.’
She raised an eyebrow and said, in the frustratingly calm voice she used whenever she wanted to put him in his place, ‘I’m in my father’s fortress. I am perfectly safe. The only danger I appear to be facing is from The Beast, who is lurking outside my bedchamber.’
All the anger and frustration he’d been carrying around with him for days suddenly fractured. He closed the remaining gap between them and pulled her roughly into his arms. He thought she’d fight him, but her arms came around him and her fingers stole into his hair. Their lips met in a savage kiss. He groaned as he pushed his tongue into her mouth and she met him with a passion of her own.
His hands found the door to her bedchamber and he pushed her out of the corridor into the room, his lips never leaving hers.
‘Marry me,’ he ground out against her mouth.
‘What?’ she snapped, and pulled herself out of his arms, moving away from him.
‘Marry me and return to your castle. It’s the perfect solution.’
He hadn’t meant to say it. He’d never really believed it possible. But her kiss suggested she didn’t hate him as much as she’d like him to believe.
Her face was frozen with wild fury. ‘I’ve told you before I will not marry again, and I certainly will not marry you.’
‘Why not?’ he ground out.
‘You betrayed me.’
He snorted. ‘You had to return to your father whether you liked it or not. I protected you.’
‘Protected me!’ she yelled. ‘I was shot at, dragged through woods, and I nearly drowned in mud. My hair has been hacked off and then there was that night in the cottage when you...when you...’
‘When I what?’ he asked, taking a step towards her.
‘You know exactly what you did to me.’
‘I know you enjoyed it,’ he said, his body tightening at the memory of her breathing out his name on a sigh of pleasure.
The Warrior Knight and the Widow Page 18