Maksim could see that he was being earnest about it. “She is a woman who knows her mind,” he said. “I do not know what I can tell you about her that you should not discover on your own. But I do want to thank you.”
“For what?”
“Not breaking her heart.”
Gar grinned, remembering those words from Maksim back at Hensingham. “It was a touchy situation there for a time,” he admitted. “But I am glad that I married her. I thought you would like to know that.”
“It is good to hear.”
“You will tell your parents, too, when you return home.”
“I will,” Maksim said, but it was clear that there was something more on his mind. “In fact, I was wondering… would it be too inconvenient if I did not return right away?”
Gar shook his head. “Not at all,” he said. “But why? You do not want to go home?”
Maksim sat forward, resting his elbows on the table as he faced Gar. “I spoke of this to Mattie, but I will tell you also,” he said. “The truth is that Hensingham is a quiet castle. I’ve never faced a battle there. In fact, yesterday’s battle was only the second one I’ve ever faced in my life.”
Gar’s eyebrows lifted. “Truly?” he said, surprised. “I did not know that.”
“Now, you do,” Maksim said. “I fostered like everyone else. I trained for battle like everyone else. But until yesterday, I’d only seen one actual skirmish. Knowing that Gleann na Fola is a busy castle, and a military establishment, I was hoping you’d let me stay on here and gain some experience. I cannot go to my grave as a knight saying that I’ve only experienced battle twice. I would be ashamed.”
Gar smiled. “I do not mind at all,” he said. “I would be fortunate to have you. In fact, I can arrange for you to serve at other de Wolfe properties if you wish to gain more experience. Gleann na Fola is remote, and we do not always have trouble with the Scots, so another castle, eventually, might be to your liking.”
Maksim seemed both relieved and encouraged by Gar’s response. “That is extremely generous, Gar,” he said. “I would appreciate that.”
“Then it is settled,” Gar said. “You can stay here until such time as you feel like you want to go elsewhere, but meanwhile, I am certain Mattie will be thrilled to have her brother here. So will I.”
Maksim was pleased. “Excellent,” he said. “Now, you must assign duties to me like everyone else. I will need something to do. I cannot simply lie around and eat your food and drink your wine.”
“Do you want to start tonight?”
“Anytime you say.”
Gar gestured to Andreas, who was returning to the table. “All of the knights are inside right now, my brother included,” he said. “Of course, I have senior soldiers all around, at the gatehouse and on the walls, but you can start by walking the grounds and familiarizing yourself with this castle and the posts that are set. You’ll need to know that if you are to serve here.”
Maksim was already on his feet. “I’ll do it now,” he said. “Shall I take the night watch, then?”
“Aye,” Gar said, his eyes twinkling at Maksim’s eagerness toward duty. “I’ll send word to the sergeant at the gatehouse that we have the addition of a new knight. Once you’ve made your rounds, go to the gatehouse and find a man named Winebald. He’ll answer any of your questions. For now, let him take the lead until you become more familiar with how we do things around here.”
Maksim was more than happy to do that. “I will,” he said. “Is there usually a knight in command on night watch?”
“It is usually my brother, Reed, but he is not here at present.”
“Understood,” Maksim said. His next words were sincerely delivered. “Thank you, Gar. The opportunity is appreciated.”
“You are welcome,” Gar said. “I hope we do not bore you to death.”
“I sincerely doubt it.”
As Maksim headed out, Gar summoned a servant and gave him a message to give to the sergeant at the gatehouse regarding the addition of Maksim. Andreas, Tor, and Atreus were just sitting down again, with wine in their hands, as Mattie appeared.
Clad in red silk, she looked astonishingly beautiful. In fact, Gar had never seen such a well-dressed woman in his hall and he rose to his feet as she approached.
He could hardly believe she belonged to him.
“My lady,” he said, a gleam of appreciation in his eye. “May I compliment you on your beauty? You positively shine, Mattie.”
The way he said the last few words caused Mattie to blush furiously. There was a seductive lilt to them. The truth was that after spending most of the day in the kitchens with Brickie, with whom she had come to a tentative truce, she had retreated to the chamber she shared with Gar because she wanted to wear something special for the evening meal. She just felt as if theoccasion called for it, given the fact the man had told her that he loved her, and she wanted to look pretty for him. It seemed as if every day with him was getting better and better, and looking her best just felt natural.
