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“Nay, you’ve done enough for me. I will speak to him alone.”

“That poor man, traveling here in such wretched weather for naught.”

“’Tis your brother’s fault for encouraging it,” Sara said. “Though you must admit the man is quite handsome.”

“Aye, very much so. Graeme de Sowlis would make a fine husband indeed. For someone else.” Emma reached for Sara and hugged her. “Thank you for your help.”

Sara glanced across the hall, and Emma followed her gaze. Faye had reappeared in the entrance to the kitchens and was waving for Sara to join her.

“Go. I shall see you at dinner.”

Emma was so distraught that she was halfway to the stables before she realized she’d forgotten her cloak. She stopped, considered going back for it, but decided against it. She’d really only needed an excuse to avoid Graeme’s tour of the castle. Besides, she wouldn’t be there long. A quick visit with Nella and she’d escape to her rooms, avoiding Graeme before dinner.

“Good day, Reginald,” she said to the squire as she stepped into the stables. He was unsaddling Geoffrey’s horse.

“Lady Emma,” he said. “Your brother asked that I exercise him. Have you seen my lord?”

“My brother is with his guest,” she said, watching Reginald as he finished his work and left. She smiled. He really had begun to take on Geoffrey’s mannerisms.

“The lad seems to appreciate a fine piece of horseflesh,” a voice said from behind her.

It couldn’t be. She spun around to confirm what her mind already knew. “Garrick?”

22

Garrick was here. At Kenshire.

Standing just in front of her.

She spun around, checking to be sure they were alone. Sure enough, no one was about.

When she turned back to look at him, he was leaning against the stone wall with his arms crossed as casually as if he stood in his own hall at Clave Castle.

“Emma, you really should learn to better prepare for the cold,” he said. With that, he uncrossed his arms and began to take off his cloak.

She wanted to run to him, throw herself into his arms, but something held her back. It was the way he looked at her. She shivered. “Why are you here?”

He held out the mantle to her. “Because you are.”

She walked toward him, turned, and allowed him to place the warm covering over her shoulders. And then he wrapped his arms around her. Even through the thick material, she could feel the power of his arms, firm and secure.

“What is Graeme de Sowlis doing at Kenshire?” he whispered in her ear.

“Is that why you’ve come?”

“Aye.”

Again, she attempted to turn around. Again, Garrick stopped her.

“Why?” he asked. He sounded pained, the raw emotion in his voice stopping her from giving a glib answer.

“He was invited by my brother without my knowledge.”

Garrick pushed the hood away from her neck, allowing him better access. His breath was warm against her flesh.

“How did you get in here?”

In response, he kissed her neck. Though it was the gentlest of touches, it sizzled through her body, her response to him as instantaneous as always.