He laughed softly. “I am sure,” he said. “Areyousure?”
“Never more about anything in my life.”
“That brings me joy like you cannot imagine.”
“And me,” she said, reaching out to take his other hand, which he clutched tightly. “But what of your mother? Will she approve?”
He nodded, now kissing both hands. “She likes you a great deal,” he said. “She will be positively thrilled.”
It was decided. Lista was so happy she thought she might literally burst. All she could manage to do was look at the man, the man who would one day be her husband, and shake her head in wonder.
“Oh… Julian,” she breathed. “Is this real? Is this really happening?”
He grinned. “I am asking myself that same question,” he said. “That a woman like you should be interested in a man like me… this kind of thing only happens in my dreams.”
“And in mine.”
“Then let us dream together.”
Lista smiled broadly. Then, she nodded her head, so firmly and eagerly that she started to laugh. Julian joined her. Soon, they were both laughing and he kissed her fingers again, finally reaching out a big hand to gently cup her face. Her skin against his was like velvet against steel. It was all kinds of joy and excitement, delight that neither one of them could have ever imagined. They were so busy staring at each other that it took Addington twice before they finally looked at her.
“Julian?” she said. “Julian!”
Julian heard her, barely, and tore his gaze away from Lista. He was immediately frowning at her. “What?” he said, testy.
Addington laughed at her gruff brother. “Do you have something happy you wish to tell me?”
“Nay,” Julian barked. But he softened when he saw Lista giggling. “At least, not until after I speak with the lady’s mother. Until then, keep out of my business or I’ll beat you with a wet rope.”
Addington knew exactly what was going on and she was delighted. She started laughing, which made Lista laugh, which made Julian and finally Ashton laugh. They were all laughing but only Ashton had no idea why. Julian was still holding Lista’s fingers with one hand while drinking with the other until thefood began to come in great trenchers and he was forced to let her go so he could eat. He’d barely taken a bite of his boiled beef when a wet, panicked soldier entered the hall and headed straight for the dais.
“My lady,” he said breathlessly, focused on Lista. “Scots climbing the walls. They’re raiding, my lady.”
The mood of the table vanished and Lista stood up, followed quickly by Julian and Ashton. “Where?” she demanded.
The soldier pointed in the general southerly direction. “Near the vineyard,” he said. “They’ve killed two of the dogs. There must be a hundred or more of them, from what we can see. They came through the trees with torches against the rain.”
Julian looked at Lista, who seemed to be holding herself admirably. When she caught his eye, she shook her head with great regret. “As I said, the Scots have raided us on occasion,” she said. “But never in the midst of terrible weather and never with more than a few handfuls. Hundreds of men… that is concerning.”
Julian could see, in those first few moments, that she wasn’t sure what to do. Amaury had always taken charge of the defenses and she simply followed his lead, so his knightly training kicked in.
This is what he was born to do.
“I know you do not have a commander any longer,” he said quietly but steadily. “Would you like me to take charge, Lista?”
She looked at him, the first real glimmer of fear in her eyes. “You are a guest. I cannot ask that of you.”
Julian waved her off. He also took it as permission. He pointed to Ashton. “Get to the courtyard and make sure the entire thing is secure,” he said. Then, he looked to Lista again. “Tell your men I have command. Hurry, sweetheart. There is no time to waste.”
Lista looked at him in surprise. Not because of the request but because of what he had called her.
Sweetheart.
After a moment of shock, she swung into action.
“Sir Julian will be in command,” she told the breathless soldier. Then, she climbed onto the table with Julian’s help and shouted to the men in the hall. “We have Scots raiding the vineyard and gardens and God knows what else. Since Amaury is no longer with us, Sir Julian shall be in command. He is from Pelinom Castle, a de Velt. You know the name. You know that the de Velts are great battle lords, so you will respect his judgment and obey his command!”
The entire room of soldiers were on their feet, now looking at Julian as Ashton rushed from the hall. Julian didn’t delay; he began shouting orders to the room.
