HEARTS AFLAME

by Nancy Morse

  “Aye, milord.”

  Helena’s brow creased with a puzzled frown. “What—?”

  “I wish to speak to you in private.” He hadn’t meant to sound impatient. However, what he’d just seen had, in a single instant, changed much between them.

  Helena remained where she stood while Sylva ushered Merry from the room. The chamber door snicked shut, and he was alone with Helena.

  Silence unfurled like a thick skein of wool. He was acutely aware of the hiss and pop of the fire, of his own heartbeat, of her ambrosial scent that lured him like a fragrant bloom. Desire burned within him, so intensely, he barely resisted claiming the space between them and hauling her into his embrace. Chivalry, though, required a more restrained approach.

  “Despite all the years that have passed,” Tavis murmured, “you still have it.”

  “Have what?”

  Was she being coy, or did she really not know what he’d meant? He reached into the chest and took out the dried thistle: the same one he’d left on her bed years ago. “I did not realize you had kept it.”

  “I forgot that was in with my belongings.” Her features softened with a smile. “’Twas too beautiful to throw away.”

  Tavis’s eyes stung, for he could never put into words how much it meant to him that she’d kept his gift. “This proves we were meant to be together.”

  “Tavis—”

  “Do not deny the truth, Helena. You would not have kept it, if you had not cared for me.”

  Her lashes swept down against her creamy skin. His heartbeat grew louder, for he sensed her drawing her emotions tightly around her like a cloak, as though to protect her heart.

  Frustration gnawed at his desire, but he refused to yield. What they felt for one another wasn’t easy, but ’twas worth fighting for. “Please, tell me why you kept it.”

  “As I said, I thought ’twas lovely. Also, you had saved my life—”

  “And I would save it again, without hesitation. I will always come to your rescue, Thistle, and not just because I was raised to be a man of honor. That day at the lake, when we risked too much but survived, our souls became joined.”

  She met his gaze. “If that were true, you and I would have wed long ago.”

  He shook his head. “We were too young then. We were not ready for our destiny together.”

  Her eyes glistened; she seemed shaken by his words. “And now?”

  “Now…” He took the few paces between them. “We have another chance at the love we forsook years ago.”

  Love. The truth of the word resonated within him. He did love her. Mayhap he always had.

  He set aside the thistle and caught her left hand. Her skin felt cool, and she trembled in his grasp. “You and I have struggled through and overcome tremendous challenges. We have both championed what we believed to be right, and today, together, we vanquished great evil.”

  Helena laughed softly. “You make us sound like the knights and damsels of legend.”

  “Why not?” He touched her cheek, as soft as down beneath his fingertips. “Like the knights from the old tales, I have made mistakes. Yet, my heart belongs to only one damsel. I know what I would risk to make her mine, what I would do to keep her at my side, forever.”

  Helena blinked hard.

  “I want you, Helena. I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”

  “Oh, Tavis, I—”

  “Will you take a chance at true love, Thistle? Will you…be my wife?”

  She bit down on her lip, and tears welled along her lower lashes. “I wish I could accept—”

  Dismay catapulted through him, but he didn’t let go of her hand.

  “—but Father is so ill. He needs me now.”

  “I understand. I am worried about my sire too, and am anxious to know how he fares.”

  “Father is very important to me.” Her voice wavered. “I love him so much, and I want to be at his side…no matter what happens. I pray that he will get better. If he does not, though, if he dies—”

  “Nay, Helena. Have faith that he will recover.”

  Sadness haunted her gaze. “The coming days will tell. In the meantime, I must fulfill the promise I made to him: to manage the keep in his stead and watch over the good folk who owe fealty to him.”

  Hellfire, but could he cherish this woman any more than he already did? Her love for and loyalty to her sire warmed his heart, for family was of utmost importance to him too. “’Tis admirable that you care so much for your sire. I would never ask you to abandon your vow made to him. Yet, you must also consider what is best for you, for the rest of your life.”

  A sigh shivered from her. “I know.”

  “I am loath to even mention this possibility; having lived in London, though, I know the sort of men who work closely with the King—”

  “Tavis—”

  “Please, Thistle, just listen. If your sire dies, King John will not hesitate to grant Kellenham to one of his favored officials—or one of their sons or nephews. With such uncertain times in England, the King will do whatever he must to maintain his authority. As a young, beautiful, and unwed lady, you will likely become part of that negotiation.”

  “I will not be forced into an arranged marriage.”

  Tavis caressed her fingers. “You will not have a choice. You cannot refuse an order issued by the King.”

  “I will ride to London. I will demand an audience—”

  Tavis shook his head. “’Tis not just the King you would have to sway. You are an exceptional prize, Helena. I promise you, no lord who is offered your hand in marriage would ever let you slip from his grasp.”

  Helena’s head pounded. She’d been so preoccupied with her father’s illness, she hadn’t considered all that might happen in the coming days.

  Oh, mercy, but she didn’t want to become a pawn of the crown, to be granted without the slightest consideration for her wishes to a nobleman she’d never met. And yet, Tavis was right; that very well could happen.

  “What are you thinking?” he asked gently.

  “I will not wed a man I do not know or care for.” Desperation threatened to choke her. “I will not!”

  “I do not want that for you, either. You deserve a marriage founded on love.”

  She blinked away tears. Did she dare to agree to marry Tavis? Was she foolish not to seize the chance to commit to a life with him?

  Tavis brought her hand to his lips. “My feelings for you are true, Helena.”

  “They may be, but—”

  “We can make matters work between us, if you are willing.”

  “Can we? Even if we were to become betrothed today, your life is in Galloway, and—”

  “Your life can be too. You would enjoy Scotland.” He winked. “Living there would be a grand adventure. And, if you still dream of visiting London, we could even journey there for a week or two. I could show you the finest areas of the city.”

  While part of her resisted his offer, part of her yearned for the adventures of which he spoke. She’d never been to London, and she’d like very much to go. She also wanted to see the rugged but picturesque Scottish lands she’d heard so much about. And Tavis… As she looked up into his handsome face, she believed she could lose herself in the all-consuming love that he offered so readily.

  She’d also become a mother to Merry.

  One day, she might even bear children born of her and Tavis’s love.

  If she dared…

  The enormity of the decision weighed upon her conscience. She’d always imagined her betrothal to be a joyous occasion, one celebrated with her sire. He wanted her to be happy; he’d told her how proud he’d be to see her wed to a young lord she treasured.

  How could she become engaged, put herself first, when her sire wasn’t able to rejoice in her betrothal? Her father needed her. Her responsibility now was to him, to helping him recover. Tavis was right; she must have faith that he’d get better and wo
uld once again be able to rule his lands.

  Promising herself to Tavis today would be akin to betraying her sire…and she couldn’t bear that kind of torment.

  Tavis had dropped down on one knee on the floor, while still clasping her hand. Gazing up at her, he asked, “Will you become my wife, Helena? Please?”

  I will, her heart cried. Oh, but I will. With tremendous effort, though, she forced down the words.

  Placing her free hand over his, she said quietly, “As much as I want to, I cannot accept your proposal.”

  Tavis’s features clouded with disappointment. “Helena.”

  “I just…” Her voice hitched. “I cannot consider a betrothal this day.”

  “Not even after all we have discussed?” He stood, but he didn’t release her hand. “Do you not believe that my feelings for you are genuine?”

  His anguished tone made her want to weep. “I know you care for me—”

  “I do. Very, very much.”

  “All I ask is for a few more weeks. I pray that by then, my father will be well again. When we become betrothed, ’twill be for the right reasons.”

  Tavis’s gaze sharpened. “You are not refusing me forever, then?”

  “I certainly am not.”

  Relief glinted in his eyes, but she ached inside to know he was still upset. Leaning in, she kissed him full on the lips.

  His arms went around her, crushing her to him. “I am not giving up on you, Thistle. We belong to one another. We always have, and I will do whatever I must to make you my wife.”

  He kissed her so thoroughly and skillfully, she was breathing hard when their lips parted. “If that is so, you will return in four weeks.”

  “Three,” he countered, nibbling her mouth.

  “Nay, four.” She shuddered as his lips trailed down her neck.

  “God above, but you are stubborn.”

  “Please, Tavis.”

  He growled, kissed her again, and then slowly drew back to hold her at arm’s length. “Four weeks, then.”

  “Thank you.”

  He nodded, but his gaze held regret. He let go of her arms, and she immediately missed the warmth of his touch.

  He dragged his fingers through his hair, and after a moment’s silence, he said, “Merry and I will leave for Galloway as soon as possible.”

  She’d expected him to return to Scotland soon; yet, with the finality of his leaving, a numbing coldness ran through her. “Why not leave tomorrow at dawn?”

  “I want to make a start on our travels today.”

  She forced a smile; inside, she wept. “If there is aught you need for your journey—”

  “I will ask. Be well, Helena.”

  “You also.” She wanted to say so much more, but ’twould not be fair to him. She could only watch, the words jammed in her throat, as he strode out of the chamber, leaving her with the memory of his kisses.

  Chapter Eleven

  Nine days later

  Helena sat at the lord’s table in the quiet, sunlit great hall, adding the weekly expenses for food and household goods into the leather-bound ledger. The carpenters had started on the new stable, and there were costs to include for lumber and other building supplies.

  Crandall, who was now awaiting trial in London, had already paid most of what her sire owed to the crown, so thankfully, the expenses coming in now were nowhere near as daunting as before.

  As her quill scratched ink onto the parchment, she heard someone approaching. She glanced up.

  The captain of the guard bowed. “For you, milady.” He handed her a cloth-wrapped package secured with twine. Tied to the top of the parcel was a thistle.

  A gift from Tavis.

  Helena’s pulse quickened as she set down her quill and took the parcel.

  The captain of the guard bowed again and strode away, and she ran her fingers over the beautiful woolen fabric. Joy and anticipation rushed through her, for she’d missed Tavis so much since he’d been gone. A dull pain had gathered inside her and stayed there, ever since she’d waved goodbye to him and Merry and watched them ride away, her father’s destrier in tow. At night, as Helena had lain in her bed, she’d wondered if Tavis still thought fondly of her, or if he’d decided, in the days since he’d left, that he was wiser to end their relationship. How she hoped he was still willing to wait for her, for their days apart had proven to her how deeply she cared for him. She did love him, and she would tell him so when next they met.

  While she’d silently struggled with her anguish, her father had grown a little stronger each day. She’d sat with him every afternoon, encouraged him to take short walks up and down the passageway, coaxed him to drink plenty of broth even when he’d protested, and read him a few of the old tales from the book he’d asked her to fetch. As she’d learned anew of the adventures of the bold knights and brave damsels, she’d realized Tavis had been right. Their love was akin to that immortalized in legend.

  The voices of several maidservants entering the great hall pulled Helena from her musings. With shaking fingers, she untied the parcel from Tavis. The woolen cloth was in fact a scarf. A parchment sealed with wax and some rolled up linen tumbled onto the table as she unfolded the fabric. When she drew the edges of the linen aside, wilted flowers spilled out, along with a slip of parchment that read: With love from Merry.

  Tears burned Helena’s eyes as she carefully assembled the bedraggled little bouquet. They were the loveliest flowers she’d ever been given.

  Catching her breath, trying to ignore a flare of disquiet, she picked up the parchment. Would Tavis tell her, in this letter, that he had decided he no longer wanted a betrothal? She hesitated, but then broke the seal. Flowing lines of black ink covered the page:

  My Dearest Helena,

  I write this in hopes that your father is much improved, if not completely well again. My sire is haler than when I arrived at Dumfries, but is still not fully healed. Mother told me that he almost died. I know you will understand how enraged I was by her words.

  Father and I have both sent letters to the King and are working to ensure that Crandall will not escape justice. There is more I must tell you, but I will save those revelations until I see you—

  Helena’s hand fluttered to her throat.

  —in a few weeks.

  Her heart soared. Tavis hadn’t forsaken her.

  I think of you every day, Thistle. I long for your kisses and your embrace. Soon, I will ride through Kellenham’s gates to sweep you into my arms and make you mine, as I should have done years ago.

  With all my love,

  Tavis

  For good measure, she read the letter two more times.

  “You are smiling,” her father said from nearby. “I have not seen you smile like that in days.”

  “Father?” She set the parchment down to find him standing below the stone dais, supporting himself with a wooden cane. Somehow, he’d managed to get dressed…or mayhap he’d convinced one of the servants to help him?

  “Why are you out of bed?” As she hurried around the long oak table on the dais, he shook his head and walked toward the hearth. “Father, wait!”

  “I am fed up with lying abed,” her sire said. “I want to be well again.”

  “You will be, but in the meantime—”

  “I should rest. I know.” With a grumpy sigh, he sank into one of the carved chairs near the fire and mopped his brow with his tunic sleeve.

  Helena sat in the opposite chair. “Father—”

  “Enough, Helena. I do not want coddling. I am grateful for all of your care, I truly am. Yet, I refuse to be an invalid any longer. I have responsibilities as lord of his castle, and I will not neglect them.”

  “With respect, Father, you are still recovering and—”

  “Not up to long days. Agreed. I can still do what I can.” His gaze held hers. “You have done a fine job managing Kellenham, Daughter, but there are others who need you.”
/>   “Others?”

  “Tavis. Merry.”

  Blushing, Helena looked down at her folded hands. She hadn’t told him of her feelings for Tavis or of his proposal—she hadn’t wanted to burden her sire with such important matters until he was well—but he’d obviously heard some details from the servants.

  A wry chuckle broke from her father. “Did you think you were the only one who received a missive this morning?”

  “Tavis wrote to you as well?”

  Her father nodded. “He told me that he loves you and asked for my permission to marry you.” Her sire’s smile broadened. “A gallant man, that Tavis.”

  She couldn’t hold back a smile in return. “Oh, he is, Father. I was going to talk to you about his proposal, I truly was, but I thought it best to wait until you were better.”

  Her sire’s expression changed to one of fatherly concern. “Do you love him, Helena?”

  She swallowed hard. “I do.”

  “Do you want to be his wife? To spend the rest of your living days with him?”

  “Aye, but… ’Twill mean leaving you and Kellenham—”

  “As is right.” Her father’s eyes glittered with emotion. “You deserve happiness. ’Tis what I have always wanted for you, years ago and now.”

  “Years ago, my marriage to Tavis was to be arranged, a union to forge allies—”

  Her sire held up a hand. “True. After meeting his father several times, though, and learning more about the de Rowennes, I believed Tavis would be a good match for you. It matters not whether a man is Scottish or English; an honorable man is an honorable man.”

  Her eyes filled with tears. Swiftly rising, she went to her father and embraced him. As his arms wrapped around her, she whispered, “I will miss you.”

  “As I will miss you.” His hug tightened. “I will visit, though, and you can come here whenever you wish.”

  He held her for long moments, until at last, she drew back and dried her face. Grabbing hold of the cane, he pushed to his feet. “Come. Help me with my reply to Tavis. ’Tis not every day I grant your hand in marriage, and I want to get it right.”