He reached up, calmly soothing her. He eased her onto his lap, his big arms wrapping around her.
“It is time,” he acknowledged, hugging her gently. “I clung to it to remind me that we are mortal and life can end tomorrow. It was a superstitious, bitter reminder. But with you… you show me that life is worth living and infinite in its joy. I wanted you to wash it because I wanted you to touch it. Now it has your scent on it and not your brother’s. It comforts me. Does that make sense?”
She wiped at her face, calmed by his words. “It does,” she looked at him with her big, blue eyes. “Are you sure?”
He smiled, kissing her damp cheek. “Of course,” he said. “Now, we must have a serious talk about what the next few weeks will bring.”
She nodded her head, wiping away the last of the tears. “You are going to London to see de Lohr. What will you tell him about what has happened?”
Gart took a deep, thoughtful breath. “Kevin has gone on ahead of me and has already broken the news, I am sure, so my visit is simply to confirm it. More than that, you are aware that my original visit to Dunster was because Buckland was trying to coerce de Lohr into providing support for Isabella’s lands in France.” He looked up at her, his chin resting on her arm. “When Kevin came to Dunster to warn me off of Buckland’s escort, he also told me that I am still expected to head up de Lohr’s contingent to France.”
Emberley was calm. “I know.”
“How do you know?”
“Kevin told me.”
Gart lifted an eyebrow. “He did?” he said. “When did he do this?”
“We had time to talk on the journey here.”
Gart frowned. “You did? Where was I when you were talking to him?”
She could sense jealousy and she grinned. “Playing with the boys, mostly, and loving every minute of it. De Lara was simply making conversation with a lonely woman while you were off rough-housing.”
Gart gave her a lingering glare, much like he did with the boys when he doubted their sincerity. But her grin broadened and he gave up, shrugging his big shoulders.
“Well,” he said. “I suppose there is nothing else I can tell you, then. De Lara seems to have told you everything.”
She shifted, wrapping her arms around his big neck. “You can tell me what you plan to do once you reach London.”
He wrapped his arms around her waist, gazing into her beautiful eyes. He kissed the tip of her nose.
“I will ask to be released from my oath,” he said quietly. “And then I will ride to Albemarle and demand my inheritance. I have already spoken to the viscount and he has agreed to allow you and the children to remain here, well protected, until I return.”
Emberley was trying to be brave, trying not to think about all of the obstacles facing them, but it was a struggle. “When do you suppose that will be?”
“It is difficult to say,” he replied honestly. “But it will not be any longer than absolutely necessary. I will return for you, kitten, I swear it.”
She gazed at him and he could see the thoughts rolling through her mind. In spite of his effort to keep the conversationlight, he could sense the emotions rolling in like a fog. The feelings covered them, bound them, creating anxiety at what they were about to face and a sense of longing at being separated.
“I do not doubt that you will,” she said softly. “But I fear what will happen if de Lohr will not release you from your oath.”
“He will not have a choice.”
She shook her head at him. “Gart, you have worked many years to achieve your post. David de Lohr is a powerful baron whose brother is the Earl of Hereford and Worcester. You are part of the de Lohr battle machine and that is not something to be taken lightly. If you walk away from that without permission, your reputation will be damaged forever.”
He wasn’t surprised that she understood a good deal about the knighthood and politics. She was a bright woman. He gave her a gentle squeeze.
“I do not see any reason why de Lohr would deny me,” he replied quietly. “As much as he has done for me, I have done equal for him.”
“What do you mean?”
He shrugged, looking down to her hands cradled in her lap and reaching to collect one. He brought it to his lips as he spoke.
“I have served de Lohr for six years and before that, I served William d’Aubigney of Belvoir,” he said. “D’Aubigney was a supporter of the Archbishop of Canterbury, who was battling for Potigny Castle in Burgundy. I served in France for a year and was subsequently joined by David de Lohr for a time, at one point, saving his life from assassins sent by the king. It is a complicated tale but suffice it to say that David asked for my fealty and rewarded me handsomely for saving his life. Since then, I have been his top commander. I have served him well.”
“He will not want to let you go.”
