She yanked her hand away from his wrist and he would never forget the expression on her face. It was something between disgust and shame. Turning on her heel, she tried to rush away from him but he was on her in an instant, his colossal hands grasping her slender arms. She tried to shrug him off but he wouldn’t budge.
“Leave me alone,” she snapped. “I do not see where my husband’s affairs are any business of yours.”
He cooled, releasing her. She stepped away from him but she didn’t run. She faced him defensively and he backed off.
“You are correct,” he agreed calmly. “They are not my business. I suppose since your only brother was my best friend, perhaps I was showing interest on his behalf. It is simply that I look at you and see that young girl who used to follow Erik around and…forgive me. I should not have overstepped myself. I was only concerned.”
Emberley gazed at the man, cooling significantly at his placating words. Then she sighed heavily as if all of the fight suddenly left her. Her defensive mechanism was always close to the surface, preparing to defend her tender heart from her cruel husband and his cruel words. She realized she need not be defensive with Gart. For as long as she’d known him, she’d never once heard of him showing women any manner of cruelty.
“You need not ask forgiveness,” she said, remorseful. “It is I who must ask for your grace. I should not have snapped so. I know you are only asking out of concern.”
He gazed steadily at her. “Great concern,” he corrected gently. “Erik would ask this of me.”
She smiled gratefully. “I know,” she whispered. “I miss him very much.”
“As do I.”
“You are a good friend, Gart,” she said. “When you were not upsetting my mother, I know she looked upon you as a son.”
He gave her a lopsided grin. “I am thinking that Erik and I were much like your boys– into great mischief and mayhem in our youth.”
She laughed softly. “Then perhaps you will not think me such a terrible mother that my boys rob anyone who enters the keep.”
He was glad to see she was no longer tense and angry with him, thinking he would try yet again to get at the truth of the matter now that he seemed to have broken her defenses down.
“I never thought you a terrible mother,” he said quietly. “But I would like to know the truth of your husband’s treatment of you.”
Her smile faded as she gazed up at him. “Why?” she lifted her shoulders. “There is nothing you can do. He is my husband and may do as he pleases.”
Gart knew that and somehow, it hurt his heart. He knew it would have hurt Erik’s. “Is he truly the queen’s lover?” he asked quietly.
She nodded without emotion. “They have been lovers for almost a year,” she replied. “I do not know what she sees in Julian other than his wealth. He is a terrible character and a horrible….”
She trailed off, embarrassed at divulging more information than she should, and Gart’s expression grew serious.
“I am truly sorry,” he said in his soft, deep voice. “You do not deserve such disrespect. The man is a fool.”
Her smile returned, weakly. “You are very kind.”
“Kindness has nothing to do with it. It is true.”
Her smile grew, now modest. “I appreciate your concern. It has done my heart good to see you, Gart. You remind me of better days.”
Her words, kind and sweet, softened him. His heart began to beat strangely in his chest as he reached out and took her small hand in his, bringing it to his lips for a gentle kiss.
“It has done my heart a world of good to see you,” he said softly. “I see Erik in your eyes and it comforts me.”
Gart’s warm kiss on her hand made Emberley’s breathing quicken. She was taken back to the days when he was a handsome, very young man and she was his adoring public. He had grown into such a magnificent man she could hardly believe it. She wondered how different her life would have been had she had not married Julian. If only Gart could have been her husband…but no. She chased the thought away as quickly as it came. It would do no good for her to long for a man she could never have. That opportunity was long gone.
“I am glad,” she squeezed his hand and let it go. “Perhaps we will have more opportunity to speak in the next few days. Do you know when you are leaving?”
He shook his head, wishing she hadn’t let go of his hand. Her touch had been magic.
“I do not,” he told her. “My liege and your husband are debating that as we speak.”
She pulled her cloak more tightly around her slender body. The evening was growing cool and damp in spite of the bright moonlight.
“Then perhaps tomorrow we may….”
