Page 43 of To Honor

“Pardon, my lord, we have a visitor.”

Was it Lord Stirling? Often both he and Eamon brought new recruits together, and she’d almost asked earlier where the master archer was this eve.

But it was not Lord Stirling.

Gareth stood in the hall’s entrance. Battle weary, clearly, but alive. Evelina so wanted to run to him, to throw her arms around him. As it was, her body felt as if it were one with the bench. She could not move. Could not breathe.

He was alive. And standing in their hall.

Eamon caught her gaze and shook his head slightly, but Evelina did not have to be told. Their reunion would have to wait. Instead, she sat there looking at him as if only mildly curious.

“Sir Gareth,” Eamon exclaimed. “You are back with the others?”

“I am, sir. And was told you were here. There is news. If I may enter, Lord Ashcroft?”

“Of course, come and join us.”

“I thank you for the offer but must be back at Castle Blackwood. Lord Stirling wishes to speak with me. If I could have a word with Sir Eamon, briefly?”

He didn’t want to dine with them? Evelina tried not to feel hurt, though it was difficult. He was alive, and uninjured, and yet she could not express her relief.

Her love.

“Of course,” Sir Eamon said.

He walked out to meet him, and just as quickly as he appeared, Gareth disappeared with Eamon into the corridor. She attempted to concentrate on the conversation before her but had difficulty doing so even with Lyra’s presence. The woman was fascinating, someone she could easily befriend.

But Gareth was here.

When Eamon returned, he gave away nothing. It wasn’t until the meal was done and the men walked her and Lyra from the hall that she had another moment to speak to him.

“He is waiting in the stables,” Eamon whispered.

“But he said he had to return to the castle?”

“A likely tale, but not completely true. Go to him. I will occupy your . . .”

“Lord Ashcroft,” she provided. “’Tis how I see him now. I’ve but one father.”

The look he gave her was one that Evelina had dreamed of seeing on her father’s face since she was a child. It was one of pure love and affection.

“Go,” he whispered.

She nodded. “It was a pleasure to meet you,” she said to Lyra. “Father, I would retire. My head . . .” She rubbed her temple. “If you will pardon me.”

“Of course,” Lyra said. “A pleasure to meet you as well. I hope you are feeling well soon, my lady.”

“Many thanks.” She offered a quiet bob of curtsy to the group and then made toward her chambers. Except, before she reached the circular stairwell, Evelina slipped down a corridor and toward the kitchens.

Making her way outside, and into the courtyard, wishing she’d worn a darker-colored gown, Evelina all but ran to the stables. Entering them, not having taken a lantern with her, she was glad to see Gareth had. Following the light toward the back of the stable, wondering where the stable hand had gone off to, she turned a corner.

And ran directly into his chest.

Evelina did not hesitate. She tossed her arms around him and vowed never to let go.

21

This time, he would not stop kissing her.