Page 57 of Dark Rival

“If his lordship marries, he’ll marry a great heiress. He doesna need more land or another title. But all men need more wealth.” Ceit started making the bed.

Allie walked up to her, aware that Ceit believed her every word. “What about love?”

“Love? What does love have to do with marriage?” She shook the covers for emphasis. “When a man needs power, wealth or sons, then he marries.”

And briefly, Allie was disturbed. She wasn’t going to claim that she knew very much about the medieval world—how it worked, how a man like Royce might think, or what he really wanted. But love was timeless, wasn’t it? Or didn’t love matter in the Middle Ages? Could Royce really look at the world the way Ceit was describing? “Does Royce have sons? Why isn’t he married?”

Ceit shook her head. “Nay a single bastard, an’ that be strange.” She then said, “No one knows why he’s unwed. There’s gossip, of course.”

Allie seized the bait. “What kind of gossip?”

“I heard it said there was a wife, long ago, but that doesna explain why he hasn’t married anew.”

“Royce was married?” Allie gasped in surprise.

“T’is said the marriage did not last.” She shrugged. “I have even heard it said that his wife be the reason he’s unwed to this day.”

“Why?” Allie cried.

“I dinna ken.” She smiled kindly. “And that be gossip, my lady, an’ mayhap untrue.”

Allie stared unhappily. “Where there’s smoke, there’s fire.”

ROYCE HAD BEEN GONE all day. Allie learned he’d had to inspect some lands belonging to Morvern and that he would be back by supper and that was fine with her. But she hadn’t gotten over the morning conversation with Ceit. The maid’s assumptions that she was no different from his previous lovers worried her. Ceit had to be wrong.

When the sun began to lower, Allie went into the courtyard. She was wearing her jersey print dress and high heels, aware that Royce would be inflamed by the tiny, clingy dress, and she made her way up to the ramparts so she could watch for him. Every man she passed avoided looking at her; Allie felt ridiculously safe.

One long day apart after last night felt like weeks, no, months. She stared past the crenellations, across the small midward and the outer walls, across the dangerous ravine. When she went into his arms—when they made love—she would forget about the confusion Ceit had raised. A group of horsemen were approaching and she recognized the huge white horse at its head. Her heart leapt and sped.

As the band got closer, his aura blazed, dwarfing everyone else’s. Allie tensed, fisted with desire. His aura was red-hot and she knew what it meant. He was coming for her.

She hung on the crenellated wall for one more moment, as the riders trotted over the main drawbridge. Royce glanced directly up at her, clearly sensing her presence on the walls.

Allie was still, an act of great self-control, because she wanted to rush down to the courtyard and leap into his arms—and then be dragged to his bed. She couldn’t wait. He kept staring until his charger disappeared beneath the gatehouse towers.

Allie finally gulped air, wet to the core, and carefully descended the stone stairs. Anticipation made her feel faint. Royce had already dismounted and his steed was being led away. He hadn’t been wearing armor, just the belted tunic and plaid, and his swords. He looked every bit a warrior of the gods. Not glancing her way, he started for the Great Hall.

Allie tensed. He hadn’t looked back at her, not once. But his senses were acute, like hers. He had to have known she was there. “Royce!” She hurried after him.

For one moment, his strides didn’t slow. Then he faltered, but as he turned, he beckoned to one of his men. “Neil.”

Allie was confused, because he was facing her now, but not looking at her.

A big man with flaming red hair approached. “My lord?”

“At dawn, take five men an’ pursue the poachers. Yer to bring them to me. I wish to stare in the eye the man who dares break my laws.”

“Aye, my lord.”

Allie stood beside Royce and the giant, waiting for Royce to acknowledge her. Why was he avoiding looking at her? Where was his sexy, knowing glance—and an even warmer smile? Her heart beat so hard it hurt. What was happening?

Neil left and they were alone. Royce finally looked at her in such a way it was as if he didn’t wish to really see her at all. In fact, his glance was so brief, so cursory, that Allie would bet he didn’t even know she wore a sexy green and white print dress that hugged her every curve. “Good eve,” he said, staring at the great room door instead of at her.

What the hell was this? Allie’s confusion became uncertainty. “Hey. Hi,” she managed, staring up at his profile. But it was an expressionless mask that could have been carved of stone.

He nodded, his gaze briefly flicking over her, avoiding her eyes. “I’m hungry. The day has been long.” But he waited for her to walk inside before he did so.

Allie couldn’t understand. Why wasn’t he looking at her? What was wrong? His aura remained hot and ready to go. “Hey.” She reached for his arm and touched it. “Are you okay? What’s wrong?” Had something terrible happened?