Adam’s satchel was open on his narrow pallet, but he was too agitated to properly gather and fold his belongings. Instead, he gripped the back of an upright wooden chair and tried to regain control of his emotions.
For despite his many years of training and experience on the battlefield; despite all he knew about violence and where it led; there was nothing he wanted more than to swing his fists at the plastered wall.
He should not have allowed Esme into his heart.
Clearly, he had been but a dalliance for her. A flirtation. Something to pass the time.
A plaything.
He could not quell his roar of outrage, which reverberated around the small chamber.
The indignity he could deal with. This was not the first time a beautiful young woman had ensnared a foolish old man with her charms. Nor would it be the last.
What he struggled with, was the pain of rejection. For he had believed the connection between them was real. He had believed they were building something, together. Right until she had pulled away from him, trembling.
Nay wonder she did not want their kisses to go any further.
She was betrothed to a young man. A knight. Adam had known it from the way the man stood. Entitled. Arrogant. Hehad met many such a man. Had paid them little heed. Fur mantles and fine clothes would not get a man far in battle.
Although Esme’s betrothed had not cut such a fancy figure in his stained tunic and torn breeches. His hair had been combed, hastily perchance, but his face had not seen a washcloth in days. Where had the man been, to appear before a lady in such a state?
Adam turned back to his satchel with a growl.
What does this matter to me? Naught, he told himself, snatching up his good cloak and stuffing it inside. Lady Esme’s affairs were no concern of his now.
Although he could not help but recall the strong emotions swirling in her blue eyes.
Fear, he had thought, the first second he barreled into the great hall.
She is scared of her betrothed.
But this had been replaced by something else.Hope, he fancied, when first she saw him come. At that moment, his heart had been filled with the urgent desire to protect her.
Just as he had foresworn to do.
But she had not denied the man’s words.
And that flicker of hope in her eyes had turned into a desperate resignation.
He paced over to his small closet and flung what was left of his belongings onto the pallet, but his attention was not on the task.
What if I am wrong?
Or rather, what if his first instincts had been correct?
If Esme was afraid of this man, this imposter who had come to Ember Hall unannounced and in the middle of the night, then Adam’s duties, as her personal guard, were to protect her.
And instead, he had walked away.
He sat down on the pallet, thinking hard. Callum had said naught about Esme being betrothed.
She is the youngest child of the Earl of Wolvesley. A prize many men would like to claim.
Mayhap this knight was some chancer, come to stake such a claim?
Adam dragged a hand through his hair, trying to recall what else Callum had said that night. He could not explain why Esme so strongly desired to remain at Ember Hall but had suggested some quarrel with an admirer might be the reason.
Adam snapped his fingers.Mayhap that was it.
