Page 52 of A Knight for Gwenllian

To hide his turmoil, he started to walk in the direction of the barbican, making sure to keep Gwenllian to his right, against the crenellations. The path was wide enough for two, but he preferred to be the one overlooking the drop to the bailey, just in case.

“Friends or lovers, we will never see one another again anyway, or very rarely,” he said eventually. “Since you want to spend your life in Wales?”

She seemed to hesitate. “I’ve been thinking about that a lot lately. And you were right last night. Maybe Old Myfanwy’s prediction is not a real condemnation, and I am free to act as I choose. Alasdair left his country and is blissfully happy. Why not me? I will not know how I feel until I try.”

Oh, hell, she really was making it hard for him to stick to his decision to keep his distance. But perhaps he didn’t have to. Because if she no longer wanted to live in Wales, he could see if⁠—

No.

One thing at a time.

A snort down below caught his attention. Down in the bailey, he saw Gwlithyn, tethered next to Buttercup, but no other horse.

“Don’t tell me you came here alone?” he said, frowning.

Would she never learn? She had been attacked twice only in the last year. Thinking that she would have put herself in danger just to come see him was unbearable.

“No,” she answered. “I asked Ralph, one of the grooms, to accompany me, but I told him to go back when I arrived.”

Why? Had she assumed he would escort her back to Throckmorton himself when the time came? Or did she intend to remain here for the night? What would he say if she asked?

Footsteps were heard on the stone stairs before he could reach a decision.

“My lord, a letter was this instant delivered for you. The messenger has been sent to get a drink.”

Ah yes, Alexander had heard the horse on the drawbridge earlier, but, too intent on his conversation with Gwenllian, he had paid it no mind.

Peter, oblivious to the tension in his body, handed him a piece of parchment. Glad of the distraction, Alexander took the missive with a nod and started to unfold it. As he read the hastily scribbled words, his frown deepened.

“Damnation,” he said to himself. “My brother will be here tomorrow.”

“Colin?”

Gwenllian sounded appalled at the prospect. He could not blame her, considering how Colin’s last visit had gone. But though he could reassure her that it was not his youngest brother coming, this visitor was just as unwelcome.

“No. The eldest one. Hugh. Damnation! I haven’t seen him in years, and I can’t say I have missed him.”

Alexander stilled. Perhaps, despite his dislike of the man, he should be glad to see Hugh. It seemed like a sign. Only the other night he had thought that it was time to clarify the situation at Audley. This was a golden opportunity to do it face to face.

Yes, for once, Hugh might actually have done him a favor by coming.

He stuffed the letter into his tunic and turned to face Gwenllian. Without knowing quite why, he felt that this visit would be a turning point in his life.

She opened her mouth, as if to speak, then changed her mind and closed it again. Alexander’s heart skipped a beat. Had she understood, like he had, that his situation might be about to change and allow him to live the life he really wanted?

“Stay tonight, please,” he breathed. “I’ll need you if I’m to survive my brother’s visit. We’ll send a message to Throckmorton and⁠—”

“No need. I already told Siân I would spend the night at Sheridan Manor,” she whispered back.

The minx. She had planned everything and assumed he would agree. That was why she had sent Ralph, the groom, away. He smiled, though he should perhaps chide her. “Excellent.”

Just then, a handful of riders were seen approaching from the south. At their head was none other than Hugh. Just like Colin’s chestnut stallion, the cream gelding was too distinctive for Alexander to be in any doubt as to the rider’s identity. Bloody hell, wasn’t he supposed to arrive tomorrow? Some time to prepare for the encounter would have been appreciated. What had happened? Had the messenger been delayed on the road? Well, no point worrying about it now. Hugh was here.

Unable to believe his bad luck, Alexander gestured to Gwenllian that they should go back to the bailey and welcome the retinue.

“It would seem that my brother is here already,” he said between his teeth, though she would have understood that by herself.

Without a word, she followed him down the stairs and over to the gate.