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“It is not all their fault,” Johanna interposed, the color on her cheeks betraying her own unease. “I do not speak Welsh well enough to⁠—”

“That is neither here nor there,” Cadell cut in, finding it very hard to remain calm. “People shouldn’t need to be told to respect their mistress. They should not make her feel inadequate for taking on her responsibilities in difficult circumstances.”

“Indeed,” Lord Sheridan agreed. “What do you want us to do then?”

“I was wondering if there were servants here you could spare for a few months. While they stay at Bryn Glas they could teach the people the basics of the English language and remind them how to behave properly.” He gave a taut smile. About time, too. “I imagine you are surrounded with respectful people who can speak English?”

“We are, as we wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Being married to a man many would have considered an enemy when he had come from England some twenty-five years ago, Lady Sheridan would know all about the struggles Johanna was facing. It had really been an inspired choice to come here.

“And actually…” She looked at her husband and lifted an eyebrow as if to indicate she had an idea as to whom they could send. Connor gave a smile and nodded, evidently guessing who she was thinking about and agreeing it was a good choice.

“Perfect idea, my love.”

Cadell marveled at the connection between husband and wife. They clearly understood each other without the need to talk. This was the kind of marriage Siaspar had with Katherine, the kind he had always dreamed of having. He had, however, resigned himself to the fact that it would not be possible. The previous year, he had advised his brother to marry strategically and, galling as the idea was, he had known that this was what was in store for him as well. A cold arrangement, a union chosen for purely pragmatic reasons.

With the woman he loved out of his reach anyway, it hadn’t seemed such a hardship. If he could not have her, then it hardly mattered who his bride was.

Except that everything had taken a dramatic turn in the last few months. Johanna was no longer married. She was no longer unavailable. Even better, she was back in Wales and they were living under the same roof for now. This could give him the chance he had been desperate for.

If he did everything right, she could one day be his. Even if his material situation had not improved, at least he was no longer an awkward youth. He had gained assurance and experience in the art of wooing women. In any case, he would not give up without a fight. He had once been forced to renounce his claim on her before having the chance to tell her what he felt. He would not make the same mistake a second time.

Johanna would find out sooner or later that she was the only woman for him.

“Let me talk to our maid, Angharad,” Connor said, bringing him back to the present and the situation at Bryn Glas. “She’s hard-working and reliable and I know that she and her husband were hoping to get closer to their daughter, who recently married a crofter in the village further along the coast. If they went to work at Bryn Glas, they would be within easy walking distance of her. This might well be the perfect opportunity for everyone. Blethyn is a skilled man at arms and particularly good at training young guards, which could come in handy. I doubt the castle is well-protected at the moment.”

Indeed, it was not.

“That sounds perfect,” Cadell told Lord Sheridan, relieved to see that his plan had worked. Having such a seasoned, trustworthy couple at hand could make a huge difference.

“And I know that young Gethin, the groom, is looking for a position now that he’s learned all he could learn from his father,” Esyllt added, placing a hand on her husband’s arm. “I’m sure he would be happy to follow you as well.”

“This is very generous,” Johanna started, “but I don’t want to take away all your⁠—”

“You’re not,” Lord Sheridan interposed. “Don’t worry. These people will be happy of the opportunity to prove their worth, and we will easily replace them with a few of our tenants.”

Cadell emptied his cup of ale with satisfaction. This was exactly what he’d been hoping for, a chance to make Bryn Glas safe and welcoming for Johanna. She had wanted to help, only to be placed in an impossible situation. It was only fair he helped her do what she’d been brave enough to do.

“We will talk to the servants on the morrow, explain the situation,” Esyllt concluded. “It might be that others might relish a change of scenery for a few months, or enjoy the challenge of making others see that not all English people are bad.”

No. And some of them were even irresistible.

7

To Johanna’s relief, the morning brought reassuring news from Richard. She could not hide her joy when Mistress Ann came into the great hall while she was breaking her fast with Lady Sheridan to inform them that her charge had spent a peaceful night, thanks to the potion she had given him after seeing to his wounds.

“That young man is uncommonly strong, no doubt due to his activity.” Indeed, a stone mason would be no weakling, but Johanna imagined that the prospect of being reunited with the woman he meant to marry accounted, at least in part, for Richard’s resilience. “I am pleased to say that I am confident about his chances of recovery. But it is good you found him when you did. I’m not sure he would have survived a night out in the open without his wounds being tended to, especially the one on his arm. It might have become infected.”

Johanna let out a long sigh. “Thank you so much. Cadell and I are indebted to you.”

They were, and Efa would be even more. She could imagine the girl’s joy at being reunited with the man she loved, and being proven that she had been right to put her faith in him. He had come back, as promised.

“When can we transport him?”

The sooner the maid and her English lover were reunited, the better. Somehow, it had become personal in Johanna’s mind. It was not that she thought to regain the girl’s trust that way, it was rather that she wanted these two hearts that belonged together to be allowed to fulfill their destiny. She, of all people, should know how devastating it was to see that the man she had thought would be by her side always, was not the reliable soulmate she had thought him to be.

“Had he suffered a blow to the head or a cut to the stomach, I would be cautious but his injuries are not so serious that a ride in a slow cart will cause any harm,” Mistress Ann answered with a smile. “Besides, all he has done since he woke up was tell me of the wife waiting for him. I think that being reunited with her will do more to aid his recovery than anything I can do.”