your journey was not overly harsh.”
Emma’s eyes narrowed as she withdrew her hand from Gar’s. “Darian did all he could to make the journey pleasant. Our English weather, however, did not cooperate with him.”
“Earl William will be pleased to hear of Darian’s diligence. Come, food and drink await. While we eat, you can tell me why the earl sends you to Hadone.”
Emma’s gaze settled on Darian. “I believe the tale best left to my husband.”
Gar looked around for a noble male he might have missed seeing before he reasoned out the identity of Emma’s husband. Distaste twisted Gar’s mouth.
Darian could almost hear the steward’s disapproving thoughts. A noble lady married to a lowly mercenary? Unacceptable. Unforgivable. Unimagainable!
“You?” was all Gar asked.
“Dreadful, is it not?” he responded, for once agreeing with Gar. “I would not feel too outraged on Lady Emma’s behalf, however. The marriage will be short-lived, so she will not suffer unduly.”
Gar arched an eyebrow. “You will seek an annulment?”
“With all due haste. Neither the lady nor I wish to be bound to each other any longer than we must.” He waved a dismissive hand. “However, I have more formidable problems to solve first. I fear we must impose on your hospitality for several days. Pray see Lady Emma made comfortable.”
Servants passed by carrying Emma’s trunks. The carter tugged on the ox’s lead rope and headed for the stable. A stable lad had already led away Darian’s horse. Intending to retrieve his satchel, Darian took several steps before Emma appeared in his path.
Her wide eyes revealed apprehension. “Where are you going?”
Where the devil did she think he was bound at this time of night, and why should it matter to her? He need not answer to her for his whereabouts, so why did he feel it necessary to answer?
“Merely to the stables to retrieve my belongings.” “Oh. Well, then, I will leave you to your errand and await you in the hall.”
Her relief was so apparent Darian had to wonder why she seemed so nervous. Gar might not be one of his favorite people, but the steward would treat Emma with the respect and courtesy due her. But perhaps she didn’t know that. From the rumors he’d heard bandied about at Westminster, she hadn’t been treated with much courtesy of late—not at court, and not from him.
An unwarranted prick of guilt prodded him into giving her the reassurance she seemed to need.
“You have naught to fear here at Hadone. We are safe. You will be treated well. Go eat. I will be in anon.”
She nodded slightly and glanced at where Gar waited for her. “What shall I tell him?”
“Of what happened at court? Might as well tell him the truth. Neither of us has aught to hide.”
She pursed her lips. “Nay, only a regret or two.”
She might, he didn’t. “I learned long ago that regret serves no purpose. One simply deals with what fate tosses one’s way and hopes all comes out right in the end.”
Looking into Emma’s upturned face, still seeing uneasiness, for the first time in a very long time, he hoped the end came out right for another person other than himself as well.
A hope he had no business harboring. What happened to Emma shouldn’t concern him. Their fates weren’t en-twined. He’d do well to save his concern for his own well-being, keep his nose well and clear of other people’s problems.
Only that way would he survive.
Emma tilted her head, watching Darian stalk off toward the stables.
“He has upset you,” Gar stated. “I fear Darian can be difficult. You should not take his lack of manners or hurtful comments to heart.”
She was beginning to understand why Darian disliked Gar, and to her chagrin, she found herself coming to Darian’s defense. “He said nothing hurtful. Why did you assume he did?”
“That is his nature, and your distress is most apparent. Mayhap a cup of wine will ease you somewhat.”
A cup of wine would ease her
Emma’s eyes narrowed as she withdrew her hand from Gar’s. “Darian did all he could to make the journey pleasant. Our English weather, however, did not cooperate with him.”
“Earl William will be pleased to hear of Darian’s diligence. Come, food and drink await. While we eat, you can tell me why the earl sends you to Hadone.”
Emma’s gaze settled on Darian. “I believe the tale best left to my husband.”
Gar looked around for a noble male he might have missed seeing before he reasoned out the identity of Emma’s husband. Distaste twisted Gar’s mouth.
Darian could almost hear the steward’s disapproving thoughts. A noble lady married to a lowly mercenary? Unacceptable. Unforgivable. Unimagainable!
“You?” was all Gar asked.
“Dreadful, is it not?” he responded, for once agreeing with Gar. “I would not feel too outraged on Lady Emma’s behalf, however. The marriage will be short-lived, so she will not suffer unduly.”
Gar arched an eyebrow. “You will seek an annulment?”
“With all due haste. Neither the lady nor I wish to be bound to each other any longer than we must.” He waved a dismissive hand. “However, I have more formidable problems to solve first. I fear we must impose on your hospitality for several days. Pray see Lady Emma made comfortable.”
Servants passed by carrying Emma’s trunks. The carter tugged on the ox’s lead rope and headed for the stable. A stable lad had already led away Darian’s horse. Intending to retrieve his satchel, Darian took several steps before Emma appeared in his path.
Her wide eyes revealed apprehension. “Where are you going?”
Where the devil did she think he was bound at this time of night, and why should it matter to her? He need not answer to her for his whereabouts, so why did he feel it necessary to answer?
“Merely to the stables to retrieve my belongings.” “Oh. Well, then, I will leave you to your errand and await you in the hall.”
Her relief was so apparent Darian had to wonder why she seemed so nervous. Gar might not be one of his favorite people, but the steward would treat Emma with the respect and courtesy due her. But perhaps she didn’t know that. From the rumors he’d heard bandied about at Westminster, she hadn’t been treated with much courtesy of late—not at court, and not from him.
An unwarranted prick of guilt prodded him into giving her the reassurance she seemed to need.
“You have naught to fear here at Hadone. We are safe. You will be treated well. Go eat. I will be in anon.”
She nodded slightly and glanced at where Gar waited for her. “What shall I tell him?”
“Of what happened at court? Might as well tell him the truth. Neither of us has aught to hide.”
She pursed her lips. “Nay, only a regret or two.”
She might, he didn’t. “I learned long ago that regret serves no purpose. One simply deals with what fate tosses one’s way and hopes all comes out right in the end.”
Looking into Emma’s upturned face, still seeing uneasiness, for the first time in a very long time, he hoped the end came out right for another person other than himself as well.
A hope he had no business harboring. What happened to Emma shouldn’t concern him. Their fates weren’t en-twined. He’d do well to save his concern for his own well-being, keep his nose well and clear of other people’s problems.
Only that way would he survive.
Emma tilted her head, watching Darian stalk off toward the stables.
“He has upset you,” Gar stated. “I fear Darian can be difficult. You should not take his lack of manners or hurtful comments to heart.”
She was beginning to understand why Darian disliked Gar, and to her chagrin, she found herself coming to Darian’s defense. “He said nothing hurtful. Why did you assume he did?”
“That is his nature, and your distress is most apparent. Mayhap a cup of wine will ease you somewhat.”
A cup of wine would ease her
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