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“More precisely, I would appeal to my family to ask them to intervene. I cannot promise they will do so. Indeed, they already decided once it was too risky, and sent me,” he smiled, “instead.”

“What are you saying, Rory?” she asked, unbelieving his words.

“Your grandmother will not do it. I hadn’t expected her to, but hoped . . .”

“I thought to sway her thinking,” she said, their hands still clasped together. In some ways, this was even more intimate than the kiss they’d shared. Freya searched Rory’s face for a clue that he was jesting with her. But he’d not do that. He really meant to help her.

“She will not be swayed, and I think you know as much already.”

Freya could not think of any circumstance over the years where her grandmother had done so. She was as stubborn as anyone, and had been both successful and a great failure because of it. As the Lady of Shenworth, none were as formidable. But as a mother, she’d not fulfilled her duty as far as Freya was concerned.

“You . . . you would appeal to the Brotherhood on my behalf?”

“I would.”

“Why?”

“Because of the way you look at me now.”

“’Tis not a good enough reason, and you know as much.”

That grin, when it was directed at her, was beginning to grow on Freya. She’d thought it a display of arrogance, and it was, perhaps. But also, it was simply how Rory had learned to interact with the world. A way for others to be pleased by him.

And Freya was not as unaffected as she’d pretended.

“The council admitted that having a stronghold filled with those loyal to the king so close to Bristol does not bode well for Clan Kerr or its allies. But they also concluded the fight was not worth the risk of incurring Edward’s wrath.”

“You’ve changed your thinking on this point?”

“I have. Or more precisely, you’ve helped me to do so. Having Edyington as a strong ally to the Brotherhood would be beneficial, I believe.”

“The king will not take kindly to your interference.”

“On that point, I agree. This flirtation with the king’s anger must end eventually. Either we terminate the relationship and declare ourselves his enemy or turn tail and hide as so many of the other border lords have done. But ’tis time to decide, in my opinion. And we all know what that decision will eventually be.”

“Only you would compare treason against your king to making love.”

“Say those words aloud again, Freya, and I make no promises to arrive at Bristol with you as untouched as you are right now.” His voice, thick with desire, was no longer teasing. Rory was undoubtedly more serious than he’d been since she walked into this chamber.

“My grandmother will never allow it,” she said. “She will attempt to make me stay.”

“I agree,” he said, “which is why we should not dally.”

Her eyes widened. “Do you mean . . . surely you do not propose leaving tonight?”

“Aye. And before you think to fight me on this as you did in Edyington, consider your conversation at supper. She is your grandmother, aye. But as a ward of the king, she aims to please him as well. Likely she already has a suitor in mind. Perhaps she will take more care with the decision than your brother, but unwed as you are, you will be a pawn still.”

Rory had put a voice to the thoughts Freya’d had since supper. She’d been so convinced her grandmother would wish to avenge her son, even though she had forsaken him, that Freya had not considered the alternative.

Without her support, Edyington was all but lost to her. Freya knew she could not take on the king’s men without a considerable force. Their allies had sent, well, Rory. Her grandmother had as much interest in taking Edyington from Eustace’s grasp as she’d had in reconciling with her son. But Freya had been so distraught at the thought of Rory leaving without a proper fare-thee-well that she’d not thought through her next steps.

As if she had many choices. Yet here Rory was, offering her one that she’d be a fool not to take. He’d assessed her grandmother well. Once her decision was made, little would sway it. Of that, Freya was certain.

“If I leave here with you this eve, she may well disown me as she did my father. If your council votes as they did before, I will be left with naught. No home to which I could return.”

She sensed Rory would say something more. He even stiffened a bit, as if preparing for it. Freya worried at his expression. Never had she seen him appear as thoughtful as he did at this moment.

“I’d not ask for you to take such a risk, Freya. Neither would I leave the council’s decision to chance.”