Page 66 of An Earl for the Archeress

“In the hall, as we left, you nodded to him and him you.”

His comprehension dawned. Ah, she really was astute. He would get nothing past her in their union.

“You would really like to know?”

She took a wary step back. “Mayhap now I’m afraid to ask.”

“You? Afraid of something? Bollocks,” he said. “He wishes to court the Lady Charlotte and wanted my blessing to preserve the goodwill that exists betwixt cousins, in case I still had intentions toward the woman.” He brought Mariel’s hand to his mouth, giving the backs of her fingers a kiss. “I gave him my full consent, for the only interest I have is for a woman with barley-gold hair and the most beautiful green eyes I’ve ever seen, though I hear this woman is a hellion not easily managed.”

“Quite the cheeky bastard, aren’t you?” she retorted with a syrupy smile.

He winked as if she had just paid him a compliment instead of an insult. Pulling back the bar on the door, he opened it for her, ushered her out, and walked her down the corridors and around the gallery to her bedchamber, though he remained outside her door.

He eyed her bed, turned down and prepared by the maids. How easy it would be to share that bed with Mariel tonight. But he refrained and took her hands in his. They would consummate their union, and he would invite her to share his chamber, and she would be the only woman he had ever summoned to his bed.

“Sleep well, Lady Mariel,” he whispered in her ear as he leaned in for one more kiss. “Be at the upper practice yard on the morrow after breaking your fast.” She furrowed her brow, and he continued. “I wish you to train with my men, for I feel certain you now see the merit in stopping Nottingham and his kind.” She nodded, and he caressed his finger over her cheek. “And be prepared to elope with me soon. We mustn’t tarry in this endeavor, if there is any hope to protect you from your father.”

Chapter Nineteen

Mariel arrived to break her fast, stepping up to the dais. The morn was a quieter affair. Men and women, guards and artisans, filed in and out as their morning tasks permitted, sat, partook quietly of nourishment, and departed to either begin the day, or return to their given chores. She was thankful for it. It meant she wasn’t an object of spectacle.

Robert, however, wasn’t yet at board. Will sat two seats down, focusing on boiled eggs, when he looked up and smiled at her.

“Good morn, Lady Mariel.” He winked.

She froze at the familiarity, when she remembered all of Robert’s men had heard Teàrlach MacGregor call her by her given name in the forest.

And then, Robert breezed into the hall, donned in his handsomely slouched trousers and loose coat…with Will’s lovely cousin trailing a few paces beside. Despite the fact that Robert was trying to disengage himself, Mariel let out an irritated sigh. He had given her sweet words and devotion the night before, but the rogue no doubt was flattered by the attention. What man wouldn’t feel a boost to his ego, knowing women found him irresistible, even if the lady annoyed him? She bit her lip and frowned.

“Feeling territorial, my dear?” Will teased, leaning across Robert’s place setting to whisper in her ear.

She shooed him away like an irritating fly. “I’ve already informed His Lairdship that I’ll never be the maiden who falls all over herself just because an eligible bachelor bestowed a smile upon her.”

“Ah. Well if looks could shoot arrows through the heart, yours would have murdered my cousin Anna,” he retorted, taking out an eating knife from its sheath and using it to impale a cut of ham.

“No.” She turned and gave him a fake smile. “They would have indeed murdered him.”

Will tipped his head back and laughed as he plucked the morsel off the knife tip, tossing it into his mouth. “Sounds treacherous. He would do well to keep one eye aimed at his back around you, dear Mariel. My cousin Anna didn’t take the hint at supper yester eve,” Will said. “’Tis her heart that will learn the hard way that not all ambitions come to fruition. I tried to warn her when supper was through but, she only insisted more fervently that she would try anew. I’m certain she greeted him at his door this morn to double her efforts.”

“My, you walk so fast, my lord,” Anna said, flushed from the exertion as Robert arrived at his seat.

Mariel bit her tongue but knew her annoyance shone clearly on her brow.

“Why so grumpy, woman?” Robert smiled, leaning down to her ear.

“I’ve never been known for my rosy disposition, as you know,” Mariel retorted. “Thorns. Remember?”

He chuckled, sliding his arm free from Anna’s clutch as she reached to him again.

“I’ve quite a polite disposition, my lord,” Anna said, offering a doting smile, placing a hand on his arm again.

Mariel rolled her eyes.

“Lady Anna,” Robert said, looking to Will, who shrugged and gestured for him to continue. He rounded to face the young lady. “I have been ever patient with you, though I would like for you to watch one thing very carefully and tell me what you see.”

He looked at Mariel, snagged her chin, leaned down, and stole a slow, sensual kiss from her lips as Will whistled. His tongue pushed into her mouth, and he laved it across hers. Stunned, Mariel froze, then pushed Robert away, shaking her head at his cheeky grin.

Anna gasped.