![]() ![]() Kade was suddenly curious to see what she looked like and why she was suffering these rejections she spoke of. ![]() And what was this nonsense about being the Devil’s spawn? From all he knew, Will’s father, Lord Mortagne, was respected and well liked. ![]() Will had never said anything in all those tales that might explain why men would reject marriage to her. Will had spoken often of the lass over the last three years, and the tales had never failed to make Kade smile and wonder about the girl. That meant she was Will’s sister, Averill. And she had commented earlier that she’d hoped her father would forget his efforts to wed her off now he and her brother were home. Well, that answered that question at least. So he was at Will’s home in northern England. No doubt whatever subject I choose will bore you to tears.”Īh, Kade thought. I fear my life has been most staid and unexciting compared to the adventures you and Will have enjoyed together. I have told you every tale I can think of, and surely the details of life here at Mortagne are not very interesting. She gave a little sigh, and muttered, “Enough on this subject, ’tis a sad one to be sure.” There was a silence, then she said fretfully, “Though I am not sure what else I should talk to you about. Montfault even had the nerve to say outright that he would not wed the Devil’s spawn.” ’Tis not that I mind the rejection so much, but some are quite rude about it. I do grow weary of being paraded before lords like a prize horse, especially when they all find me so wanting. “I was hoping that with you and my brother here, Father would be distracted from his husband-hunting efforts. Deciding he would leave them shut for the moment, he lay still and simply listened to her chatter, letting it flow over him like a sweet balm. Kade closed his eyes for a moment, hoping to clear his vision enough to see the young woman’s face, but it felt so nice and soothing to have them closed that he found himself reluctant to open them again. Perhaps then he would not take these rejections so much to heart. Which is sweet and right, but I do sometimes wish he could see me as I really am. I suppose all fathers see their daughters as lovely, though. “I fear he sees me through a father’s eyes and simply does not notice how plain and unattractive I am. At least, there was no one else in the room for her to be addressing. It was soothing and he quite liked listening to it, which was a good thing since it appeared she was speaking to him. Not that he could see her well enough to be sure of that, but the voice was definitely feminine, soft and a touch husky. “Alas, Father simply does not see what others see when they look at me.” The words were said with a combination of exasperation and sadness that drew his curious eyes to the blurred figure seated next to the bed-a woman, obviously. He was hoping this was Stewart castle, his clan’s home in Scotland, but the woman speaking had a very definite English accent, Kade noted as she continued. It was night then, Kade deduced, and he was…somewhere. The material appeared quite dark, but then the room, too, seemed dark, with just the flicker of flames from a fire that cast dancing light and shadow everywhere. He found himself peering up at what might be the patterned draperies of a large bed. Kade heard those words as he stirred from sleep and slowly opened his eyes. “I did tell Father not to get his hopes up, that I did not think Lord de Montfault likely to accept me as a bride, but he would not listen.” The click of the bedchamber door stirred Averill from the… “Wife.” Kade paused on the stairs as he encountered Averill…Īverill felt rage boil up within her at Domnall’s betrayal… “Br-Brodie!” Averill gasped with surprise, and instinctively began to back… “My,” Averill said with surprise, as the men set to… “Husband!” The cry was half panic and half shock as… “My lady!” That whispered hiss gave Averill a start. “This one is Merry’s room,” Laddie announced as he opened…Īverill scowled at the door her husband had just closed,… “My lady, you have a bit of soot just here.” When Kade next awoke, it was to find Averill gone… “I did tell Father not to get his hopes up,…Īverill woke to the sun streaming through the window and… ![]()
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