"I know." She touched his face, feeling the rasp of his morning beard against her palm. "And I'll do my best to take care of you, too. That ismyvow."
Something fierce and vulnerable flashed in his eyes. Then he was kissing her again, deep and claiming, until her knees went weak and she had to cling to his shoulders for balance.
"Go inside before I take you right here," he growled against her mouth.
"Alaric!" But she was laughing as she fled back to the cottage, his low chuckle following her.
At the kitchen door, she turned and watched him return to his work, a smile still on her lips.
When was the last time she had laughed for anything except little James?
Hanna had been desperate and alone, convinced she'd never trust again.
Now she was married, and somehow, impossibly, she was realised she was happy.
HANNA
Hanna was carrying a tray back to the side door of the main house after the fine lords and ladies had taken their repast and started making their way into the house for other activities.
A hunting party was always a busy time for the staff, and Hanna had no problem lending a helping hand. In fact, she had surprised Alaric with her offer.
She hoped one day she might be accepted here again, as a wife, as a resident of the estate.
One day, her son might even be the next warden of the forest, after Alaric.
The cheery thought of her boy following her man through the forest made her smile down foolishly at her tray, humming a light tune. Lifting her chin with a smile, Hanna stepped proudly in her new gown and shoes, thinking of how lovely it would be to return home at Alaric’s side after the success of the day.
She wanted to make him proud.
As she took the gravel path around the side of the manor towards the kitchens, a hand shot out from an alcove ahead and gripped her hard on the arm, yanking her almost off her feet andsending her happy thoughts scattering like marbles thrown on the sand as the tray and glasses fell to the ground.
“There you are,” hissed young Lord Emsley, his expression hard and arrogant as he hauled her into the small enclave without a thought to her person. He sneered down at the shards of glass at their feet andtsk’edto himself. “Now look at what you have done. It seems you make a mess everywhere you go.”
Hanna held herself rigid, refusing to let the old fear overwhelm her in the man’s presence. She was no longer a helpless girl, alone in the world.
She belonged to someone now.She was safe.
“Unhand me,” Hanna said in her sternest tone, lifting her chin defiantly.
Emsley chuckled coldly, running his eyes up and down her person in a dismissive manner. “Oh, the kitten has found her claws. Very well, make sure you bring them to my rooms later. You might need them.”
“I will do no such thing,” Hanna sniffed, dragging her arm free and stepping back. “I am not beholden to you, I never was.”
“Now, now, is that really true? I distinctly remember you blushing sweetly as you accepted the many tokens of my affection. You were a relatively cheap purchase, I must admit.”
Hanna felt a rage she had never experienced before stir within her, and she spat at his feet.
“Careful, my dear, you wouldn't want to annoy me. You might not like the consequences.”
“What could you possibly do to me now?” Hanna exclaimed.
“Oh, there is always one last play.” Emsley circled her in a calculating manner. “Your new husband might be interested in hearing my side of events. Of the way you tried to trap me into marriage by getting yourself with child, of your confessions of undying love and adoration… Why, I am sure he would begrateful to be rid of you when he knows how easily you opened your legs for me.”
“You are a vile serpent,” Hanna hissed. “Alaric will never believe you.”
Ashton looked at her consideringly. “No? Well then, what if I decide to claim the boy as my own? I would take him and raise him in the station he deserves. How would that look, I wonder?”
“You wouldn’t take him,” she gasped, the colour draining from her face at the thought.
