There would be time to discuss it later.
“I have little doubt,” he said, unsure what more to say that didn’t sound too giddy or just plain silly. “If everything is settled, then, we should leave. I am uncomfortable delaying any longer. Marius may change his mind and already be on his way here.”
The sweet expression faded from her face. “And if he comes and we are not here?”
Caius cocked a dark eyebrow. “I have an idea.”
*
“You… you’rewhat?”
The question came from Hallam as he stood in the half-burned hall with Maxton, Morgan, Kevin, and young William. They were all there, gathered, because Caius had sent for them, intimating he had a big announcement to make.
But no one guessed what it would be.
Now, they knew.
“Marrying Lady Emelisse,” Caius said steadily as Emelisse stood next to him. “Hallam, her brother is dead. She is now sole heiress of Hawkstone and you know what that would mean if Marius married her. Therefore, she and I have discussed the situation and she has agreed to my proposal of marriage.”
Hallam looked as if his eyeballs were going to pop from his skull, shocked by not only the news of Caspian’s death, but by Caius’ solution to the situation.
“You’re going tomarryher?” he gasped.
Caius nodded. “I am not sure why you find this so outlandish,” he said. “The lady and I have been thrown together, by necessity, and I have come to the conclusion that I will not stand by and watch Marius marry her. I could not live with it. The lady deserves better. She deserves me.”
Hallam’s mouth was still hanging open. He looked at Maxton and Morgan and Kevin only to see various stages of mirth and agreement. At least, he saw that in Maxton and Morgan. Kevin merely looked surprised.
Surprise was exactly what Hallam was feeling. He turned back to Caius.
“I thought we were simply going to take the lady elsewhere until this situation settled,” he said. “At least, that’s what I thought. We have not yet spoken of it, but I did not think you would marry her. When Lady de Wrenville commanded that she should not be returned to Winterhold, that was never expected of you, my lord.”
Caius nodded. “I realize that,” he said. “Hallam, I know this is going to reflect poorly on you and, for that, I am sorry. You can simply tell de Wrenville that the lady escaped and I went looking for her. You do not have to tell them about the marriage. In fact, I would rather tell them myself once it is done and there is nothing they can do about it. And then… Hallam, I know you are a legacy knight, but you are a good man. I have seen it. We have all seen it. Covington de Wrenville is not worthy of you.”
Hallam began to look uncomfortable. He glanced at Maxton and the others, seeing the very same expression on their faces that Caius had on his. They all thought his lord was unworthy of his service and that was something he’d been wrestling with for three long years.
“Be that as it may, I have no choice,” he said quietly. “I appreciate your words greatly, but I am not in a position to do anything else than what I am doing now, which means the marriage between you and Lady Emelisse would be viewed as a personal failure on my part.”
“Then come and serve me,” Caius said. “I will pay you well and you would serve at Richmond Castle, far away from Winterhold and de Wrenville. Begin a new legacy, one of honor. Leave de Wrenville and swear fealty to me.”
Hallam was stunned by the offer, but he was also deeply humbled by it. “I… I do not even know what to say, my lord.”
“Say you will serve me. I will send you to Richmond tonight.”
There was pain in Hallam’s expression. “I wish I could,” he said. “I truly wish I could. It is a great honor you are offering me. But… but I cannot leave Winterhold.”
Caius knew why. In fact, they all knew why. “She is a good woman,” he said. “I do not blame you, but de Wrenville doesn’t deserve her, either. Would that she had the courage to leave him and go with you.”
Hallam seemed shocked, realizing his secret relationship with Lady de Wrenville wasn’t so secret. He looked around, seeing it all over their faces.
They knew.
“God,” he breathed. “How do you know? Does everyone know? That will put her in great jeopardy and I…”
Caius cut him off. “I only know because I heard you speaking to her,” he said. “No one else knows as far as I can see, but my men and I know. When one is dealing with the battle between Winterhold and Hawkstone, it is good to know all of the facts, the players, and the dynamics. Fear not, Hallam. Your secret is safe with us.”
Hallam sighed sharply. “You do not understand,” he said. “Covington is a vain man. He does not care for Alice in the least, but she is his wife. If he discovers…us… he will not blame me. He will blame her and there is no telling what he will do to her.”
“If he discovers the situation between you and his wife, it will not be from us,” Caius assured him. “Truly, Hallam, you have nothing to worry over. And I admire Lady de Wrenville a great deal. Much like you, she is forced to serve a tyrant. Covington de Wrenville is unworthy of the good people around him.”
