Page 59 of A Knight for Gwenllian

“Gwenllian. What are you doing here?” It was still early, which meant she would have set off immediately after waking up. Why? Had anything happened? His smile vanished, and he rushed out to her. “Is everything all right?”

“Yes. Only, I wanted to see you. I was worried for you.”

Alexander took in a deep inhale. No one, save for Christopher, had ever worried about him. The idea that she did did something to his heart. Warmed it? Caused it to expand? He wasn’t sure.

“Worry not,” he reassured her. “I went to see Christopher yesterday, and we came up with a solution to save Audley. Well, he did, actually.”

With this, he produced the parchment from his tunic and explained to her what it contained. As he talked, the light in Gwenllian’s beautiful eyes became brighter, and joy bloomed on her face. She took both of his hands in hers when he had finished.

“Oh, but this is perfect! I am so relieved. To think that at first, apart from Siân, the people in my family thought Christopher an untrustworthy rogue! But I always knew he was a good man.”

“That is because you, my little Buttercup, are inclined to see the good in everyone.” Hadn’t she been the one insisting they take Old John away from his son?

“Perhaps. And why not? The bad will quickly become obvious anyway, so I might as well give people the benefit of the doubt when I meet them.”

“Is that what you did with me?”

“With you, it was not hard to see the good. You are a good man, Alexander.”

She beamed at him, and in that instant, he knew. He knew that he would not be able to spend his life without this woman. He didn’t think he would be strong enough to. More to the point, he didn’t want to.

“Let me go see Hugh,” he said, eager to begin the new chapter of his life. “Will you wait for me in the room you know, above the great hall?”

“The fourth one in the gallery?” she asked, eyes sparkling with mischief.

“The very one. Go.”

Before I ravish you on the spot.

She seemed to read his thoughts, and her cheeks flushed red. Alexander’s blood rushed to his groin. To hell with being reasonable, he needed at least one kiss. He raised his hand, ready to draw Gwenllian into his arms, but at that moment she turned and fled, as if knowing he would never have been able to stop after one kiss.

Once his sanity had been restored, Alexander headed to the great hall where he found his brother at the table, breaking his fast.

“Alexander.”

“Here,” he said without preamble, slamming his hand on the table to deposit the folded piece of parchment. “I have found a solution. If I can keep Audley, you can have a grander estate to present to Lady Elizabeth’s father. Throckmorton Castle, belonging at the moment to Lord Ashton. I wager you have heard of it?”

Hugh arched an eyebrow. “Indeed, I have.”

He placed his eating knife down and made to grab the piece of parchment. Alexander moved it before he could reach it.

“Not so fast. You can have this once I have in my possession the deeds to Audley. It will change little to officially hand it over to me, since you never come here or bother with its management.” He allowed himself a smile. “If you want Throckmorton, it is the only way.”

They remained staring at one another a long time, neither backing down.

“How did you convince Lord Ashton to hand his estate over?” Hugh finally asked. “Do not tell me he’s become your lover? Mind you, you two were always thick as thieves; I should have guessed something was up.”

Alexander did not let the slur rile him. “No, we are not lovers,” he said calmly. Though he would make sure to tell his friend that was what his brother thought. No doubt Christopher would be mightily amused.

Hugh stood up, decision etched all over his face. “Well, I will admit that I didn’t think you would rise to the challenge. But this offer is most impressive. Most impressive indeed, and I am tempted to accept.”

His eyes were gleaming with greed. Christopher had been right. More interested in prestige and appearance than comfort, he would swap Audley for Throckmorton in a heartbeat. The fool.

“So, will you?”

A nod. “Tell your steward to draw the deeds transferring Audley to you today. I have business in town, but I will sign them tomorrow morning when I return. Congratulations, little brother. It seems that Audley will be yours.”

Hugh left, slamming the door behind him.