Page 8 of To Desire

Chapter 5

“Iwill urge you, one last time. Do not go.”

The earl sat behind his wooden desk in the solar chamber that had served generations of earls of Ellsworth. According to legend, one of the first wood craftsmen to inhabit Crimson Hollow fashioned it for his friend, a man who’d just become the first Earl of Ellswood. The two had fought side by side during William the Conqueror’s campaign to secure the English throne, their unlikely bond forged on the bloodied fields of Hastings.

“I will not abandon them,” he repeated, not for the first time that day.

His father sighed. “Why leave at such an hour?”

Darien had grappled with whether or not to tell his father the real reason. In the end, he’d decided against it. Darien could not take the chance his father might warn the seer of their plans.

“I cannot delay. The king has besieged Wallingford Castle. Robert of Gloucester holds out now, but Matilda’s support has begun to weaken. The Guardians of the Sacred Oak are likely preparing to aid him.”

“All reasons to stay, and not go.”

Darien stood. He’d told Liana to be prepared to leave after sunset, and he did not wish for her to remain hiding in the woods for longer than was necessary. If she was discovered, it would take an order from his father to allow the maid to travel with him—one he was not likely to give.

“There is naught more to say on the matter, Father. You do not agree with the path I forge⁠—”

“Ignoring the Fletcher women will not bode well for us.”

“I do not intend to ignore them, Father. But to temper their advice with my own free will.”

That was the wrong thing to say. “I have not been held captive by their visions, but respect their service to our family.”

“I meant no offense. Under your guidance, the Isle of Ely has thrived. It would be an honor if I might serve it as well, someday. But I must follow my own path and not yours.”

“You have a smooth tongue, son.”

Darien smiled. “I had a fine teacher.”

When he stood, Darien went to him. Ignoring the shiver that went up his spine at their embrace, he shrugged off any thoughts that it might be their last. He would return, and with luck, Darien would do so under the reign of a new leader. One who brought their country peace and prosperity rather than weakness and instability.

“Fare thee well, son.”

Though they pulled apart, Darien did not step away. Instead he looked into the eyes that were a reflection of his own, strength and kindness mingling there, and said the words so rarely spoken between them.

“I love you, Father. No man has served as a better example for their son in all of England. I will make you proud. You’ve my solemn vow on it.”

Surely he was mistaken that the wetness in his father’s eyes was tears. The Earl of Ellswood did not cry. At least, he’d never done so in Darien’s presence.

“You do so already, my son. Your mother taught me love, and I am grateful for it. Too many men fear such a sentiment.”

It was his way of saying, “I love you too.”

With nothing more to say, and Liana awaiting him, Darien bowed, more deeply than was his custom, turned and walked away, grateful his father had allowed him the only decision he could make. To return to Castle Blackwood and continue the fight for England’s rightful ruler.

She wasn’t coming.

Darien did not blame her. After he’d left, it had occurred to him how much he’d asked from her. To leave her home and put herself in not only a compromising position but a potentially dangerous one too.

If her vision crystalized, it could have helped their cause. But staying was probably for the best, especially given the intense attraction he’d felt toward her. Aeliana—Liana, he corrected himself—had been a pretty girl. He’d not use that word now to describe her, though.

Extraordinarily beautiful. Mesmerizing. Ethereal. But not pretty. It was too common a word for a clearly uncommon woman.

Darien turned from the spot they’d met last eve and headed back toward the castle, where he would fetch his mount and take the lone road out of Crimson Hollow toward Blackwood Castle. When a tree branch snapped behind him, he immediately reached for the hilt of his sword and spun around.

“I thought perhaps I’d missed you,” Liana called, running up to him. Though there were no people nor buildings nearby, he put his finger to his lips.