Page 57 of The Darkland

“Where are you going?” she asked.

“To meet with le Vay.”

She gazed at him a moment, studying his hard features. “Why are you so angry?”

He lifted an eyebrow. “You know why. And you are not behaving yourself in the least in spite of your promise.”

This time, she hardened. “I believe I have behaved myself quite well. I did not tear Lady Lily’s hair out by the roots when she put her hands on you, did I? And when her ladies vied for your attention, I kept silent, did I not? How dare you accuse me of breaking my promise!”

His jaw ticked and she could see his facade wavering. “Lady Lily is certainly no threat and her ladies are barely mentionable. I am used to their silly games. But as for de Shera….” He cast a long glance at Spencer, now in conversation with Niles. “You will stay away from him, Mara.”

“Will you stay away from Lily?”

He sighed with frustration, laboring to keep his voice quiet. “It is different with her. I must be polite lest I offend le Vay. But with de Shera, there is no reason for you to even communicate with the man. Am I understood?”

A smile played on her lips. “You are jealous of him.”

He growled. “You are mine, lass, body and soul. I shall kill the man if he comes near you again.”

Her smile broke through. “Then why do not you announce to the world that I am yours? That should keep Lily and Spencer away from us.”

“I cannot announce anything until I speak with Edmund and he makes our betrothal official. Not that I have any doubts, but it is best to remain silent until we have his blessing.”

Mara regarded him a moment before turning a coy gaze in Spencer’s direction. “He seems very nice, actually.”

He was in no mood for her foolery, taunting him with her mastery over him. “Enough of that nonsense or I shall spank you as I did before.” He pointed a mailed glove in the direction of the table. “Now, go and sit with Niles and behave yourself. I do not know how long I shall be with le Vay and I do not want to worry over you while I am gone.”

Her smile faded as she sensed more than irritation in his manner; he had failed to respond to her teasing in his usual fashion. Reaching out, she grasped his arm. “You will not,” she said softly. “Is something the matter, Kirk? You seem… edgy.”

He found himself swallowed by the brilliant eyes, thoughts of the previous night filling his veins with warmth. “Nothing you should concern yourself over, love,” he patted her hand. “Go with Niles. I shall seek you when I am finished.”

As Mara watched him disappear from the great hall, a thought occurred to her; he had never clarified why they had come to Quernmore in the firstplace, aside from the fact that he wanted her away from Anchorsholme. Obviously, there was a motivation and she wondered seriously what it might be. Kirk had been perfectly calm until they had arrived, but now, he seemed preoccupied and harsh.

Thoughtfully, she turned for the table laden with a half-finished feast and chattering people. Niles and Spencer had finished their conversation, Niles waiting patiently for her to return as Spencer seemed focused on his drink.

Niles served her a fresh helping of meat and she delved in with gusto. Ignoring Lady Lily’s inquisitive stares and Spencer’s brooding silence, her mind remained focused on Kirk as he met with Lionel le Vay. She wondered why he seemed so edgy even though he had told her not to be troubled by it. Anything that worried him, she was naturally concerned.

But there was nothing she could do about it at the moment. Her more prevalent concern was staying clear of Sir Spencer now that she had enticed the man. As she approached the feasting table that looked as if it had been picked over, she was considering all manner of behavior to un-entice him.

Unfortunately for her, he proved rather resistant to her revolting charms.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

“This has justarrived, Lord Edmund,” Corwin’s voice was tight, his face beaded with sweat from racing up three flights of stairs. “From Wicklow.”

Edmund snatched the missive, damp and stained, from the knight’s hand. He nearly tore it in his haste to unroll the parchment, his faded green eyes greedily consuming the message contained. After a moment, he sighed with great remorse.

“My God…,” he breathed, his eyes still glued to the vellum.

“What’s happened?”

Edmund sighed again. The sun was beginning to set on the winter-dead fields of Lancashire, a break in the storm permitting a few weak rays to caress the landscape. The small solar was musty, dim, lit only by a tallow taper and a fire in the hearth. As Edmund rounded the large desk, the vellum still in his hand, Corwin struggled to make sense of the expression on the man’s face.

“So it comes,” Edmund said slowly, letting the parchment fall to the desktop. Running his fingers through his hair, he sighed again as if his entire body was deflating. “My foolish Irish vassals have finally managed to overrun the Castle. Kirk’s father has been killed in the siege.”

Corwin visibly blanched. “Christ,” he hissed. “We must send Kirk a missive immediately.”

Edmund nodded, watching the weak flicker of the hearth. “I have lost him completely.”