Her cheeks suddenly turned bright red when she realized what she said and she lowered her gaze as Addington laughed. “You think so, do you?” she said. “He will be happy to hear that.”
Lista shook her head firmly. “Nay, please do not tell him,” she said. “I should not have said what I did, but…”
“Did you mean it?”
“Please do not tell him.”
“Did youmeanit?”
Lista wouldn’t look at her, but she couldn’t keep the smile off her lips as she nodded, once. “I suppose so,” she said as it was practically forced out of her. “But if you tell him, I will call you a terrible liar.”
Addington burst out laughing. “This is wonderful, truly,” she said. “My lady, you have no idea that… well, it would mean a great deal to my brother if he knew. May I please tell him?”
Lista couldn’t keep the smile off her face, but she was resolute. “He would think you were mad,” she said. “He would think I was mad. I scolded him when we first met and shamed him in front of his men, yet I think he is handsome? He would not believe it.”
“He would!”
Lista shook her head, squeezing Addington’s hands. “Nay, my lady, please do not tell him,” she said, growing serious. “I am not of his social station. Nothing could ever come of it, so there is no point in telling him. It would embarrass me and probably mortify him, so please do not say anything. Promise me.”
Addington’s smile faded. “What is this nonsense?” she said. “What do you mean you are not of the same social station?”
Lista shrugged. “I live with my mother and aunt in a quiet corner of Northumberland,” she said simply. “My father was not a great warlord. We had no real friends or allies. Truly, we are nothing compared to the House of de Velt. When your brother marries, it should be to a woman who can bring him great status and honor. Not a woman with a drunkard for a mother. He deserves far better than what I have to offer.”
By the time she was finished, Addington was looking at her with shock. There was also some sorrow in her expression were one to look closely enough.
“I cannot believe that,” she said. “Are you destitute? Do you live in a cave?”
The question was somewhat sarcastic, but Addington was trying to make a point. Lista shook her head in response.
“We have a fine castle,” she said. “We have rich lands and I am my father’s heiress, so we are far from destitute. But wehave nothing to offer beyond that.Ihave nothing to offer beyond that.”
Addington wasn’t convinced. “You are being silly,” she said. “It sounds as if any man would be most honored to marry you.”
“They would be wealthy and titled, but it comes with a price.”
“Your mother?”
“Exactly. And that price is far too high for your brother. I would not wish it upon someone so kind.”
Addington eyed the woman, but there was something going on behind those magnificent eyes.
The thoughts were churning.
“I will not tell Julian any of this under one condition,” she finally said. “I want you to return to the hall with me. Eat and drink and warm yourself. Please, Lista. May I call you Lista? It is such a pretty name.”
Lista nodded, her resolve being broken down by a kind and understanding young woman. “You may, of course,” she said. “And I suppose it would be nice to eat and drink and be warm. But I must sit with my mother and aunt and when I am finished, we will leave.”
Addington shook her head. “You will not leave,” she said. “There is a chamber in the apartments next to the gatehouse that I have prepared for you myself. You will hurt my feelings if you do not stay the night.”
“I would not want to hurt your feelings.”
Addington’s smile was back. She pulled Lista off the bench and told the grooms to unsaddle the horses. Holding Lista’s hand tightly, she pulled her out into the misty, cold night.
CHAPTER FOUR
“What is thematter with them?”
Cole was sitting at the dais of the smoky and crowded great hall, hearing the soft question come from his wife. He took a drink of his fine wine.
