Flight of Dragons(76)
“Taite Pendragon.”
Walter chuckled. “Well, that’s appropriate, I suppose. I know Eadlin will find it amusing.”
This Eadlin was sounding more and more interesting all the time. “Tell me about her.”
“She’s not a woman you can push around. She’s older than your average virgin. By more years that she’ll want to admit.”
“If she’s getting long in the tooth, how can you be so sure she’s a virgin.”
“I will admit to delving rather deeply into the backgrounds of a number of virgins over the past few weeks as I searched for a suitable mate for an acquaintance.”
“I’m going to assume that acquaintance is Lord Greymoor?”
“You can assume as you like, but the identity of my acquaintance is irrelevant to the matter at hand.”
“I’ll take that as a yes, and let you pretend you’ve maintained a confidence. I will also accept your assurances that Eadlin is a virgin. However, if she proves not to be the innocent you both claim her to be, I will keep her here as my prisoner until you bring me another red-haired virgin to take her place. Regardless of the state of her maidenhead, I promise I will never raise my hand or my voice to her in anger. That is the best I can do with assurances.”
“And if Eadlin agrees, you will release Freya and Daisy?”
“Yes, they will both be free to return to Greymoor. I’m ashamed to say I hurt Freya quite badly in the beginning, but I’ve never forced myself upon her. She is Greymoor’s and his alone.”
“I’m sure he will be thankful for small mercies. If there is nothing else, I will go to Eadlin and present her with your conditions and assurances.”
“If she is agreeable, then I would like you to bring her with you. Too much time has been wasted already.”
“In that case, it will be a number of days before my return. I bid you farewell.”
***
Eadlin hadn’t expected Walter to return so soon and she couldn’t contain her excitement. “So?”
“There is one small wrinkle. If you prove not to be a virgin, then he insists upon holding you prisoner until I bring him a replacement for you.”
“Well, if there is one thing we can be sure of, there is no wrinkle as far as my virginity is concerned. What about his temper?”
“He’s promised never to raise his hand or his voice to you in anger.”
“That’s all I asked.”
“And his name is Taite Pendragon.”
Eadlin laughed long and hard before she could manage to speak. “Tell me you didn’t make that up.”
“No, I did not make that up. Damn it, how many times do I have to repeat myself to people. I am not one for jokes, jests, or trickery.”
“My goodness, I had no idea ghosts could be so sensitive.”
“Never mind that. I just wanted to give you his answer now so you could have the extra night to consider your decision.”
“I’ve already made up my mind. Truth is, it was made up before you’d even left this morning provided you returned with a favourable response from him.”
“There’s no need to be hasty, Eadlin. You should take some time to really think about what you’re getting involved with.”
“I’m a rapidly aging virgin and this is the best offer I’ve had since before my father died. I will ask that you check on me occasionally, just to ensure all is well.”
“That goes without saying. I don’t want your official answer now. I think you should at least sleep on it and if you still feel the same way tomorrow, then we can make travel arrangements.”
“That sounds good to me. I’ll see you in the morning, then.”
As soon as Walter disappeared into the night, Eadlin pulled a book from the shelf on the wall and extracted a well-worn piece of parchment with a torn edge and held it to her breast. Finally.
***
Walter passed by the castle and resisted the urge to pop in on Lord Greymoor to tell him the good news. After the last visit, it would be much better to hold off and present the Marquess with his woman and their child.
Oh, what happiness that would bring. Walter did have concerns about how things would work out for Eadlin. Pendragon was still very much an unknown and while he appeared to be remorseful over his treatment of Freya and Daisy, Walter wasn’t willing to completely trust him. Not yet. Maybe not ever.
In the meantime, he also had concerns about Eadlin. She’d been awfully quick to agree to give her virginity to Pendragon. If things went badly, it would be entirely Walter’s fault.
Maybe he should have stopped matchmaking once Thora and Martyn married.
***