Page 49 of Merciful Salvation

“But this is your chamber, milady,” Frieda said. “Where are you going? Where will you sleep?”

“I couldn’t possibly rest.” In fact, Kara’s heartbeat thundered insideher chest still. “I’m going for a walk.”

“Alone?”

“Aye.”

“Wait,” the woman pleaded. “Don’t you want to know more about my history with Aaron?”

“I’ve heard enough for one night.” Aaron deserved a chance to defend himself, and if Kara listened to another heart-wrenching story, it would only cloud her judgment.

“Nothing at all?” Frieda persisted.

Perhaps she needed someone to talk to, the way Rachelle had listened to her. Sighing with resignation, she leaned against the wall.

“Aaron seduced me four years ago, after his cousin ended our relationship.”

Expressionless, Kara stared at her palms as if they held answers, then looked into the woman’s eyes. Men slept with women. This came as no shock. Frieda seemed overly eager to inflict as much damage on Aaron’s reputation as she could. But who could blame her—caring for a child on her own mustn’t be easy. But the woman wasn’t entirely the poor dejected creature she pretended to be. Well dressed and obviously not underfed, someone had supported her all these years. Kara took a deep breath.

Long walks offered solitude—especially at night. “I must go,” she announced suddenly, then left the chamber.

Only a few guards were on duty in the great hall. The lamps were dimmed, the fire burned low, and what guests remained were sleeping on the floor. Quiet. No one questioned her as she stepped outside.

She walked to the dock, intent on swimming. With no one around, she felt safe climbing down the ladder that granted access to the beach below. Her eyes quickly adjusted to the dark. Another cloudless night welcomed her—the moon and stars shimmering above. She kicked her slippers off. The sand felt good between her toes. Next, she tested the water, dipping her feet. Cold, but not altogether uninviting. Shestripped her clothes off, folding her gown carefully before she laid it on the ground.

At first, she considered swimming naked, but instead, she knotted her silky shift above the knees, allowing for free movement of her legs. Someone had taken great care grooming the small beach. She envisioned Lady Rachelle playing with her sons here. The rest of the riverfront was dominated by steep, muddy shoreline. The shallows where Kara waded was safe. The water tickled her calves, then her knees. Someone stopped her from taking another step. The firm hand on the back of her arm yanked her backward.

“What are you doing?” Aaron growled.

She owed him no explanation. Her eyes widened as she turned to face him. “Let go of me.” He reeked of ale.

His lips flattened. “I’ll let go after you answer me, girl.”

“I’m going for a swim.”

“No.” His hold tightened.

“After tonight,” she said. “There’s nothing left for us to say to each other. You’ve shown yourself to me, Jarl McNally. For that, I am grateful.”

He laughed. “How quickly you turn.”

“You betrayed yourself.”

“I didn’t sire that child.”

“Whether you did or didn’t isn’t the issue, milord. It’s how quickly you rejected him. Without a thought for what the boy felt.”

“He’s hardly old enough to remember how to wipe his arse, much less what I did.”

“I disagree.” Kara remembered many things from early childhood. Too many.

He let go.

“You denied any chance of being his father, without considering anything first.”

“I remember what women I’ve slept with and if I left one pregnant.”

“Impressive,” she retorted. “And what a vast memory you must have.” He didn’t react to her accusatory tone.