Page 45 of To Honor

“Thanks to you.”

“To the Guardians. Though the price we paid was high.”

“Surely you know you did not lead him to his death. Sir Adrian Fitzwilliam, like all the others, knew the risk and was willing to take it to see England’s rightful leader take the throne.”

“You sound like Alden,” he admitted. “He reminded me more than once that Fitzwilliam agreed with my plan.”

“One that clearly worked.”

“It did indeed. We left quickly after breaking the siege line and await word. Though I assume Stephen’s forces were pushed back.”

“Are you permitted to tell me all of this?”

“Nay.” He smiled. “But I will keep nothing from you, ever. You are, after all, to become my wife.”

“Am I? Did you ask for my hand in marriage? I cannot remember you doing so, Sir Gareth.”

He pushed away from the post and reached for her. Pulling Evie to him, Gareth kissed her. Hard. And then told her precisely what was to come. “You will be my wife. And I, your husband. When we’re wed, I will peel that gown from you, worship every bit of you with my mouth, and my tongue, and then plunge into you, claiming you for all time as mine.”

“Is that so?”

“It is.”

“Then perhaps we should discuss precisely how such a thing will happen.”

“Perhaps we should. But first, one last kiss.”

Of course, he lied. It would not be the last kiss that eve at all. He’d craved her, thought of her each and every moment he was gone, and now that Gareth had returned, he did not plan to relinquish her so easily.

22

Evie adjusted her gown, as she’d done many times already. She looked down at the stone bench, completely cleared of moss. She had come one day, Gareth waiting for her already, to see it cleared.

It was small things like that, or the way he looked at her, that had endeared her so quickly to him. Perhaps knowing he’d been tested by Lord Stirling and Eamon had opened her heart to him, allowing Evelina to trust him more readily than she might another. Either way, she had fallen in love with the man and hoped dearly their plan would work.

A twig snapped.

He was coming. But this would not be like their reunion from the night before. One Evelina woke up remembering, her hands covering her own breasts. They were a poor substitute for him, and though she’d not given it much thought before, it seemed Evelina’s mind was occupied often these days with a strong desire for him to touch her. Kiss her.

Two men emerged from the thicket.

“Go ahead,” Eamon said to Gareth.

He strode to her in so few steps that one moment Gareth was far away, and the next she was in his arms. One tight squeeze, and he released her, but Gareth did not release her hand. He would not hide his affection for her from her father, and the fact that Eamon allowed it endeared him to her all the more.

“I do not have much time,” Eamon said.

Gareth brought her to the bench, where they sat. Her father leaned against a tree, crossing his arms and looking even more serious than usual. Some said the man never smiled, but she knew otherwise. This morn, however, he was contemplative.

“Gareth has a plan that I’m skeptical will work. Already his exploits are being circulated around Castle Blackwood, and your father—”

Evelina cleared her throat.

“Lord Ashcroft,” he amended. “Is unlikely to be swayed. Even so, it is worth trying.”

“Especially given Gareth could have gotten himself killed in the effort.”

Eamon glanced at Gareth. “Likely he’d have been on that mission either way, given his skills.”