Although Troy was calmer at the moment, there was no guarantee he was going to remain that way. “And you told her that?”
“Nay,” Gar said honestly. “But I did tell her that I do not believe we are well suited. She would be miserable, Papa.”
“You do not know that.”
“Living at Gleann na Fola would be taking her away from everything fine and civilized and plunging her into hell.”
Troy lifted an eyebrow. “And because you are so magnanimous, you have made this decision for her?” he said, a hint of anger coming back into his tone. “Are you telling me that you are only thinking of her in this matter? Because if you are, you are lying to my face, Gar. You know it and I know it.”
Gar sighed heavily, looking at Maksim for a moment to see if he had the man’s support in this matter. All he could see was a torn expression on Maksim’s face.
“Just now, Maksim and I were having this same conversation,” he said, his voice quieter. “I told him what the lady and I spoke of. I told him the situation for what it is. He is concerned for his sister, also. Papa, believe me—this isn’t just about me. It is what’s best for the lady, too.”
Troy had heard enough. This time, he grabbed Gar by the arm and pulled him away from Maksim so he could have a private conversation with him.
“Now,” he muttered. “I want you to listen to me and listen well. You had no right to speak to that girl about your betrothal, in any fashion. You knew this was a delicate situation and instead of respecting my wishes, you tried to go around me and ruin this.”
“Papa, that’s not—”
Troy cut him off. “Do you know what is going to happen if this young woman successfully breaks this betrothal because of what you’ve done?” he said, his eyes glittering dangerously. “Allow me to inform you of your future, Gareth. Not only will you lose your command at Gleann na Fola, but you will not be permitted to serve in any of the de Wolfe properties nor any properties of her allies. I will send you south, to London, where you can serve in the royal vaults. You can deal with royal prisoners for the rest of your life, away from command, away from battlefields, and away from me. If you do not think, for one moment, that I can do this, then test me. You’ve already pushed me to my limit. Push me over the edge and see what will happen.”
Gar stared at his father. Truthfully, he was shocked and trying not to show it, but he couldn’t quite manage it.
“You go too far,” he said, frowning. “I do not take well to threats.”
“And I do not take well to disobedient knights,” Troy shot back. “Because that is what you are—a disobedient knight. And disobedient knights cannot be trusted. You are afraid a marriage will ruin your life? Refuse this marriage and I can guarantee you that your life will be ruined forever because I will make sure it happens. And if you think I will soften over the years, think again. You know me well enough to know that I hold a grudge. And I do not go back on my word.”
He was right, in both instances. Troy de Wolfe had been known to hold grudges for decades and Gar had never once seenhis father go back on his word. Realizing he was at an end of his pursuit to get out of this marriage, he did the only thing he could do.
He surrendered.
“As you wish,” he said, though he was grossly unhappy. “If you want me to repair whatever damage you think I’ve done, I shall. Since you believe my happiness is not important, but only your own wishes when it comes to using your children like pawns, I will accept that.Yourhappiness andyourwants are the only things that matter. But know this—as you once said our relationship will never be the same, know that it is true for me, as well. Our relationshipwillnever be the same. I hope you can live with that.”
With that, he turned and walked away, heading over to Maksim and asking the man where his sister might be found. Maksim wasn’t entirely sure, but he told Gar to head over to the castle garden, which was on the north side of the keep, and wait there. Maksim was going to try to convince his sister to at least speak with Gar.
If he could.
But Maksim made it clear he’d only help Gar this one time. If Gar didn’t repair the damage, then their friendship would be over, too.
Troy heard everything. He watched Gar and Maksim head toward the keep and, for the first time in this entire situation, found himself questioning his decision. Was he thinking of his happiness over his son’s? It wasn’t happiness as much as it was simply duty. Thiswasa duty. Marriage was a duty. It had been for him, too, but he’d been fortunate enough to fall in love with his wife. Perhaps Gar would find love with Lady Matilda; perhaps not. The hope was that he would at least grow fond of her.
Or not.
But in the end, Troy and his father would get what they wanted.
An alliance.
That was the only thing that mattered… wasn’t it?
*
“Just come downto the garden, Matilda. It is not that difficult.”
So Maksim said. But itwasthat difficult.
Mattie was in her bower, with Agnes and the destructive dog, sewing on a cloak that was to be part of her wedding trousseau. Only now, she wasn’t going to be married, so it was just a beautiful cloak that had exquisite embroidery around it. A pretty cloak for a pretty girl.
That’s all it was.
