“Do you?” he said. “I never knew that about you. I do not think I have seen any of your drawings.”
Adria looked up from her sewing. “That is because I keep it to myself,” she said. “But did you not notice scraps of vellum disappearing from your solar?”
He grinned. “Nay.”
She fought off a sly smile. “Lily has been very discreet,” she said. “She collects the scraps and pieces that you’ve torn away or discarded. I make my own charcoal to draw with, long and thin like a quill.”
He thought that was quite interesting. “I’m intrigued,” he said. “What do you like to draw?”
She shrugged. “People, mostly,” she said. “I have drawn you and Lily, and Atticus and even Marcellus. I draw animals, too, but I find people the most interesting subjects.”
“Why?”
“Because there is so much more than what you see on the surface,” she said, setting her sewing in her lap. “A man can hide so much behind a smile or a cross word. If you look closely, you see pain or beauty or joy. I’m not sure why that has always fascinated me.”
“What do you see when you look at me?”
Adria looked at him, thinking of several answers to that question and not one of which she wanted to voice. She was thinking of Marcellus and Lily and their deception, and how Will was a victim of their lies. She was thinking of the heir to a vast empire without a strong marriage or the right woman by his side. Soon, he’d be losing the wife he had and he’d be the most eligible widower in northern England.
Somehow, that didn’t sit well with her. There was something about Will de Wolfe that needed protecting because the man had been greatly wronged by his wife, a woman she had loved so much. But somehow, that was changing.
Adria found herself wanting to protect him.
“I see a great knight,” she said after a moment. “I see the future Earl of Warenton.”
Will shook his head. “Nay, that is what I am,” he said. “I want to know what you see in me.”
“I do not know what you mean.”
“Do you see a good man?”
She nodded without hesitation. “A good man, a good father, someone who always tries to do right,” she said. “I have known you for almost as long as I have known Lady de Wolfe. She and I spent a few years at Kenilworth before I went with her to Lioncross and there you were. I know you are a man of good character. I have known that from the start.”
“Then why will you not marry me? Am I not a better option than Carlisle Cathedral?”
He was. Of course he was. Truth be told, he’d never paid much attention to her, which was completely understandable, but now that he was, she rather liked it. She was starting to feel a pull to him, an attraction she’d never felt before, and she kept trying to avoid the thrill it was giving her. They were being thrown together because of a terrible situation, but the glimmer in his eyes took the edge off of the guilt and confusion she was feeling.
Perhaps she was having a moment of weakness, but she didn’t care.
Perhaps she should simply agree with him.
“You are,” she said. “There is no question that you are. But I am still afraid that my father will try to fleece you for coin.”
“He can try, but he and I are going to come to an agreement. Quickly.”
“And what about your father? Mayhap he will not approve.”
“I do not need my father’s permission to marry.”
“You do if you want him to accept me. Surely he has something to say about this.”
Will waved her off, turning to look at Atticus, who was yelling as he swung around on the swing. “I have told him already and he has no issue with it,” he said. “He suggested we get to know one another, so that is what we are doing.”
Adria was surprised to hear that Baron Kilham had no objection to his son marrying a woman of minor noble birth. “He did?” she said, incredulous. “He does not take issue?”
“Nay. You seem to be the only one who does,” he said. “My lady, if you find me lacking in some way, I wish you would tell me.”’
Her eyes widened at the mere suggestion. “You?” she repeated. “Lacking? You are the most worthy man I have ever known.”
“But I am not good enough to marry?”
“More than good enough.”
“Then will you do it? Marry me, I mean.”
Adria looked at him, long and hard. The question hung between them, filling the air, the only thing stronger than Atticus’ yelling.
“Do you want me to, my lord?” she finally asked, almost pleading with him. “Truly?”
“You will address me by my name when we are in private, please.”
She looked shock. “You wish for me to do that?”
“I do.”
She tried to overcome that surprise. “Very well,” she said. “Do you really want me to, Will? God’s Bones, it feels strange to call you by your name. I feel as if I should beg your forgiveness.”
He laughed, sitting up in the rope bed and sliding off, landing on his feet. “I like to hear you say my name,” he said. “And, aye – I want you to. Have I not made that clear?”
He had. She was just being stubborn. After a moment, she nodded. “You have,” she said. “If it is really what you want, then… I will.”
He smiled at her, flashing that de Wolfe grin. “Excellent,” he said. “Will you sup with me tonight then?”
She wasn’t sure what he meant. “I sup with you every night, in the hall.”
He shook his head. “Not that,” he said. “Just you and me. If we are to marry, then we’d better become more acquainted quickly. I will admit that I am not unhappy about it, though I wish the circumstances were different.”
She watched him for a moment, feeling brave enough to speak her thoughts. “If the circumstances were different, we would not even be having this conversation,” she said. “The circumstances are what have brought us together, whether or not we are prepared for it.”
He scratched his head, nodding. “That is quite astute of you.”
“I told you that I did not want to be another unhappy marriage for you and I meant it,” she said. “It is my sense that if we are to have any hope of not falling into that pit of despair, then we must be open and honest with one another. Would you agree?”
“I do,” he said. “Very much. And since we are being honest, you realize I have the very odd task of trying to establish a relationship with you while Lady de Wolfe is… weakening.”
“I know,” Adria said softly. “It is very odd for you. For us both. Even as I stand here, all I see is Lily’s husband. I am concerned that I may not ever be able to get past that.”
“Understood,” he said. “But I hope you try.”
“I will try, I promise, but it does not seem right to even try until Lily is… until she is gone,” she said. “God could bring about a miracle, you know. I would hate to fall in love with her husband in vain.”
Will’s focus lingered on her for several long moments. I would hate to fall in love in vain. Those were the only words he heard. The idea of love hadn’t even been brought up yet, but here she was, speaking about it, and the mere mention from her lips had his heart pounding.
Love.
Was it possible he had a chance at love again?
“Then would you like to wait until everything is settled?” he asked after a moment. “If you would rather wait until it is over with, I understand.”
Adria nodded, though there was distress on her face. “It seems as if that is the right thing to do,” she said. “If we are to have any chance of coming together without the guilt of Lily’s situation hanging over us, mayhap that is best.”
Will sighed faintly, looking towards the river to see that the boys were splashing around in it now, up to their ankles. “This entire situation is so very strange and uncomfortable,” he said. “Would it be wrong to say that the thought of coming to know you when this is all over is helping me focus on something posit
ive?”
Adria watched his profile as he observed the boys in the water. That strong jaw, strong nose, and comely features had her softening to the entire prospect. She’d been very reluctant before this moment, but now… now, she wasn’t reluctant any longer. He said that he was looking forward to coming to know her when all was said and done… truth was, so was she.
“It is not wrong of you to say so,” she said. “I am glad if it helps you. I wish I could do more.”
He looked at her, a grateful smile on his lips. “You are doing a great deal,” he said. “I am appreciative, truly. But will you still sup with me tonight? Alone?”
Adria nodded. “If you wish.”
“I do,” he said. “We must be discreet about it, of course, since no one knows what is happening with Lady de Wolfe. I would hate for the gossipmongers to see us and think we are doing something clandestine.”
Like Marcellus and Lily. Adria almost said it. She thought it was incredibly ironic that Will was worried about such a thing when that very situation was going on behind his back.
But she held her tongue.
“I will do whatever you wish,” she said. “Tell me where to meet you and I shall.”
“The small hall, I should think. At the usual supper hour.”
“I will be there.”
He nodded, looking at her as if he wanted to say more, but there was really nothing more he could say. They’d covered everything well enough and now it was time to get on with it.
“I am going to pull my son out of that water now,” he said, turning to the river. “Will you come as my reinforcement?”
Adria giggled softly. “No need for you to pull him out,” she said. “Wait here. I will get him out painlessly.”
With a smile playing on his lips, Will watched her march over to the river where Atticus and his friends were splashing each other. He didn’t hear what she said but, suddenly, the boys were bolting out of the water, running for their shoes. In little time, they’d pulled them over wet feet and were running back towards the castle with Adria trailing after them.
Will looked at her in astonishment.
“What on earth did you say to them?” he asked.
She grinned. “I told them that there were sweets waiting for them back in the castle and the first one to dry off and show up in the smaller hall would get an extra cream cake,” she said, tapping her head with a finger. “I know your son. Trust me when I tell you that I know how to make him do as I wish without bloodshed.”
Will lifted his eyebrows at her as they started back after the boys. “You are a sorceress, my lady,” he said. “I am in awe of your power.”
Adria broke down into soft laughter. “No magic, I assure you,” she said. “I told you that I find people fascinating. I learn about them, what makes them who they are. I have figured Atticus out.”
“Have you figured me out?”
It was a decidedly flirtatious question, the first such thing she’d ever heard out of his mouth. It would be a shame not to respond.
“If I did, I would not tell you.”
“Why not?”
“And reveal my secrets? Never!”
They shared the first genuine laughter between them.
And it was marvelous.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
“I send my son out, dry, and he returns wet?” Lily said, a glimmer of mirth in her eyes. “Have you been trying to drown him again?”
Adria smiled weakly as she entered Lily’s enormous chamber, the blue tunic in her hands. “Of course I tried to drown him again,” she said. “I’ve been trying for years, but he is too clever and escapes me. Here – look at the embroidery and tell me if it is acceptable.”
She handed Lily the tunic, who took it eagerly. She inspected the gold stitching all around the neckline, looking like laurel leaves, but all the while she was feeling anxious. It had been a day since Adria had run weeping from her chamber and although she’d seen the woman since then, they hadn’t spoken of Lily’s predicament again or her request. Lily hadn’t wanted to stir up Adria’s hysteria again, at least not immediately, but time was of the essence. She’d been planning to bring it up to Adria again today at some point, gently done, and now seemed as good a time as any.
Knowing where to start was the difficult part.
“It is beautiful, Adria,” she said, appreciation in her tone. “Very beautiful. Well done.”
Adria smiled politely as she went to Lily’s enormous wardrobe and set her sewing kit down. But as she did so, she pulled out the scraps of dark blue fabric left over from the tunic.
“Do you still want me to make something for Lady Warenton?” she asked. “I think I can do something with these.”
Lily put her index finger to her lips. When Adria looked at her curiously, she pointed to the alcove where Jordan slept. The door was cracked open, but it was dark inside.
“Lady Warenton is resting in there,” she whispered. “I do not want her to hear.”
Adria understood. She brought the fabric over to the bed and lowered her voice. “I can make her something to match him,” she murmured. “Mayhap a kirtle?”
“If you have enough fabric.”
Adria inspected the fabric and tried to figure out how she would make Lady Warenton a full kirtle using only scraps. She wasn’t aware that Lily was watching her closely, wondering why the woman seemed so… hard. Not pleasant at all, which wasn’t like her.
She suspected she knew why.
“Did Will speak to you?” she finally asked.
Adria looked up from the material. “About what?”
“Marrying him.”
Adria sighed sharply when she realized the subject and looked back to the fabric. “He did.”
She didn’t elaborate and Lily reached out, grasping her hand. “I am sorry if I shocked you with my wish,” she said softly. “I truly am. But it is very important to me that Will and my children are happy when I am gone. Will you not do this for me, Adria? For them?”
Adria couldn’t help but feel that was an incredibly ironic statement. She tried not to think about Marcellus and Lily; God, she tried hard. It wasn’t her right, her battle, or her business but, somehow, with Lily asking her to marry Will, it was her business.
Lily had made it her business.
And now Lily was pretending that she cared deeply for Will. As if his happiness in a marriage mattered to her. Adria found that incredibly offensive and she struggled not to let her feelings show. She didn’t want to upset Lily because she didn’t want to exacerbate her illness, but her illness had nothing to do with her behavior.
It was that behavior that had Adria shaken.
Adria turned away from her, fabric in hand. “We did speak at length about it,” she said, going back to the wardrobe. “What you are asking, Lily… it is a great deal.”
Lily tossed back the coverlet over her. “I know it is,” she said. “But I have no one else to ask. You know Will and you know my children. Atticus loves you so. It would be so much better for my children to have a mother they know rather than one they do not. Don’t you think so?”
Adria put the fabric back in the wardrobe and absently picked up her sewing kit again. “I do,” she said. “Of course I care about your children. I have known them since they were born.”
Lily sat up, swinging her legs over the side of the bed. “And Will,” she said. “You have known him almost as long as I have. He is a good man, Adria. He will make a good husband.”
“I know.”
“Then you’ll do it? You’ll marry him?”
Adria came back over to the bed. There was a chair beside it and she sat down, sewing kit in her lap. Her manner was pensive, even distant, which had Lily worried.
“Sir Will and I have discussed your request and we have decided to wait until after the child is born,” she said, opening up her sewing kit and pulling out a wooden spool with tangled thread. She started to untangle it. “There could be a miracle, Lily. You could come
through perfectly well. Tarraby isn’t God – he does not know everything.”
Lily watched her lowered head. “Will’s father agrees with him,” she said, watching Adria’s head come up. Their eyes met and Lily smiled sadly. “Scott agrees with Tarraby. The diagnosis has not changed.”
“Who told you this?”
“Lady Warenton.”
That changed things a bit. Will hadn’t told her that his father had agreed with diagnosis. Adria remembered hearing that Scott de Wolfe was a great healer in his own right, now with a dying daughter-in-law. If he agreed with Tarraby, then that meant Lily was in a dire situation, indeed, and she knew it.
“I see,” Adria finally said. “I did not know that.”
Lily nodded. “You see that it is more important than ever for you to promise me to take care of Will and the children,” she said. “Must I beg you, Adie?”
Adria didn’t say anything for a moment. She returned her focus to the tangled thread, something to occupy herself with, anything but look at Lily and think how much she disapproved of her and what she had done. When she should only be thinking about Lily’s health, she was thinking about Lily’s morals or lack thereof. Perhaps it wasn’t the right time, but she couldn’t help it.
It was a struggle to stay on an even keel.
“Nay,” she finally said. “You do not have to beg me.”
“Then you will do it?”
“I will.”
Lily put her feet on the floor, stood up, and put her arms around Adria, hugging her tightly. “Thank you,” she said sincerely. “I knew you would do the right thing. I feel so much better knowing that you will make Will and my children happy. Someday, you will be the Countess of Warenton.”
“I do not care about that,” Adria said, almost offended that Lily would say such a thing. “I do not yearn for titles. But I do love your children and Will is a good man. He deserves to finally be happy.”
The word “finally” had been a slip, an accident, but not one missed by Lily. She sat back down on the edge of the bed as she thought on Adria’s statement.
WolfeLord: de Wolfe Pack Generations Page 20