Page 102 of The Darkland

Lionel lifted a bushy eyebrow. “I understand,” he said, “but what you have failed to consider is that Kirk might not ever return from Ireland. He went over to fight a battle, my lady. It was not a garden party. Men will aim to kill him and it is quite possible one will succeed. He could be dead right now for all we know and then what will you do? Be a burden on your sister’s good graces for the rest of your life?”

Mara turned red. “Hewillreturn,” she hissed. “He will return and he will kill you for what you have done.”

“Perhaps,” Lionel said softly. “That remains to be seen. Now, come down off the window sill before you fall.”

“I will not!”

“Mara, come out of the window, lass.”

The words spoken were not Lionel’s. Nor were they Micheline’s or Spencer’s. The voice had come from the chamber doorway and, startled, everyone in the room swung around to see Kirk standing inside of the twisted panel. He’d managed to slip in and no one heard or saw anything. Exhausted, clad in dirty and bloodied armor, he was armed to the teeth as if ready to go to battle at any second.

They could not help but noticed that he did not look pleased.

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

At the sightof Kirk, Micheline gasped with astonishment. Lionel might have also made a noise. But Kirk had eyes only for Mara.

“Come out of the window, love,” he told her again, softly.

For a moment, nobody moved. They were stunned. But then Mara shrieked, propelling herself out of the window and towards Kirk. But the moment she ran past Lionel, within arm’s length, the old man reached out and grabbed for her. Mara turned into a wildcat, punching and scratching the man until he released his hold. The next arms that grabbed her were Kirk’s.

Mara threw herself against him, sobbing hysterically. Kirk held her tightly, trying not to jab her with sharp and deadly things strapped to his body. He stroked her dark head and kissed her salty cheeks, so very grateful to have her in his arms. He wasn’t sure she would ever end up there again.

The truth was that his trip home had been a nightmare of worry and helplessness. Having no idea what had transpired at Quernmore during the time Corwin had withheld this explosive information, it was easy to imagine the worst. Fortunately, the winds had been with him and the trip across the Irish Sea had taken less than the usual day and a night. It had been relatively swift.

The moment the ship docked, Kirk tore off to Quernmore, twelve miles from the port, and made it there in the dark of night. He hadn’t stopped moving, or worrying, in days. Now that he had Mara in his arms, the relief was indescribable. But there were still many unanswered questions and he struggled to keep a level head.

“All is well, love,” he murmured into her dark hair. “I have returned. All is well.”

“Kirk,” Spencer’s eyes were wide as he took a step in Kirk’s direction. “What are you doing here? Has the entire army returned?”

Kirk kissed Mara one last time before turning his stone-gray gaze in Spencer’s direction. “It has not,” he said, his voice low and deadly. “I have returned prematurely because I was told that Edmund offered Mara to le Vay in marriage. Was this information incorrect?”

Spencer shook his head reluctantly but it was Lionel who spoke. “It was correct,” he said steadily. “Edmund de Cleveley, as Lady Mara’s legal guardian, offered her to me in marriage and I have accepted.”

Kirk’s attention shifted to le Vay. “Have you already married her?”

Le Vay shook his head. “Not yet.”

Kirk relaxed somewhat. Now the most critical issue was answered so he allowed himself a bit of respite from his worry. However, he found that his anger was gaining speed and he struggled to keep it at bay.

“My lord, you are aware that she belongs to me,” he said, perplexed. “Why would you accept Edmund’s offer?”

Le Vay hesitated. “Because…,” he said, paused, and started again. “Because it is my last chance to have an heir, Kirk. With Michael gone, I am in need of a son. Iwanta son. You cannot blame me or deny my wants. It is my right.”

Kirk’s brow flickered angrily. “Yourwants?” he repeated. “What about mine? Mara’s? Or are you the only person of import and our wants do not matter?”

“I am a wealthy man,” Lionel said, summoning courage. Kirk was becoming intimidating. “I was legally offered the lady’s hand and I legally accepted. I have done nothing wrong. To want a son to pass my titles and wealth to is not a crime.”

“It is not a crime but it is certainly a sin to knowingly marry a woman who loves another,” Kirk fired back softly. “You know she belongs to me, my lord. I am shocked and disappointed that you seriously considered this marriage proposal.”

Le Vay held Kirk’s gaze a moment longer before lowering his head. He couldn’t look at the man anymore. He found he was frustrated more than anything.

“So you have returned from Ireland to stop me,” he muttered. “Who told you?”

“It does not matter. I have returned to claim what is rightfully mine.”

Le Vay’s gaze flicked up to him. “Rightfully, she ismine.”