Page 55 of To Honor

“Perhaps. It is the most I can hope for, but I still worry for your future as my wife.”

She thought on his words. “If I bring no land or property to this marriage but we are able to live on the road, traveling from tourney to tourney, so be it. I would much prefer that to the alternative.”

Evelina could tell Gareth did not fully believe her. Somehow, she had to prove the truth of her words to him. Before she could do so, Gareth sat up straight, obviously recognizing someone. She spun around to see two men walking toward him. They looked familiar, but she could not place either one.

“Married,” one of the two men said, smiling. They sat, one beside her and the other beside Gareth. Now that they were closer, she recognized both as recruits but could not place either of their names.

“Lady Evelina,” said the second man, sitting beside her. “I would congratulate you on your marriage, but I’m not yet convinced Gareth as a husband is worthy of it.”

“Since you likely have forgotten him,” Gareth said to her, “Sir Roland de Vere is sitting beside you. Too close,” he added, “beside you.”

“Of course,” Evelina remembered. “Your father is the Lion of Ravensbrook.”

“Ohh,” the man beside Gareth said. “You might not wish to mention his father. Roland is ever in the man’s shadow and sensitive on the subject.”

She could tell he jested. “You are Sir Alden,” she guessed, not remembering his name from Ashford but knowing by his manner that this was Gareth’s closest friend at Blackwood. More like Gareth in temperament, more humble certainly than Sir Roland, and his eyes were kindly. It was easy to see why he and Gareth got on so well.

“I am,” he said, grabbing Gareth’s trencher. There was little meat left, but it seemed Alden did not mind. “Congratulations on your recent attainment of such a fine young knight for a husband.”

“So are you unworthy, as Sir Roland seems to believe?” she asked Gareth. “Or a fine husband, as your friend Sir Alden says?”

“That is for you to discern, my love.”

“My love.” Roland laughed. “You rarely call me as such.” He clutched his chest. “I am wounded.”

“You are much as Gareth described you,” she said to her companion. He was just the sort of man she avoided . . . devilishly handsome, full of confidence—too much of it, in fact. Evelina was sure many women had fallen in love with the man, but none were likely to have their hearts left intact by him.

“Easy to look at. Charming. How else did he describe me?”

“I believe he used . . .” She paused, intentionally. “Other words than those.”

All three men laughed as the serving maid brought two ales and asked the newcomers if they wished to eat. Evelina caught Gareth’s gaze across the table. Once again, he winked.

“So have you come solely to besmirch my name?” Gareth asked Roland as the serving maid walked away.

“Nay.” His tone changed, causing Evelina immediate concern. “Though we do bring news.”

As expected.

“Tell us.”

Alden thanked the maid, who gave both him and Roland mugs and filled them with ale. “He refuses to accept the marriage.”

“He” could only be Lord Ashford.

“On which grounds? There were witnesses,” Gareth said. “And the marriage has been consummated.”

“Has it truly? Would you care to discuss the matter?” Roland asked Evelina with just a hint of a smile despite the seriousness of the discussion.

“Have you no notion of chivalry?” she teased back. “To ask such a thing?”

“None at all.”

She actually believed him.

“Roland.” Gareth cleared his throat.

“No grounds at all,” Roland said in response. “He refused to see Eamon twice. When he did gain entry, there was little discussion. Ashford suspected you,” he said to Evelina, “had gone with Gareth. He told Eamon he regretted not locking you in your bedchamber.”