Warrior's Last Gift(3)
“It makes no difference. If I have to sneak out in the dead of night and find my own way there afoot, so be it. I gave Eymer my oath to see his last wish carried out, and that’s exactly what I intend to do. With or without yer help.”
• • •
Eric stared after the retreating backside of the most determined, deceitful woman he’d ever met. Her visit had done nothing to resolve the question that had plagued him for the past year and a half. How could she pledge her love to him in one breath and then, within days, wed another? If it had been Eymer all along who’d held her heart, what did that say about what had passed between the two of them?
And yet, no woman—at least no woman he’d ever known—would willingly risk her life as Jeanne proposed doing for any man unless she truly loved him. And if she’d truly loved Eymer, that could only mean that she’d never loved him, in spite of her pretty words.
He huffed out his breath on a sigh and turned away from the sight of her. Jeanne was a part of his life he’d vowed to put away from him. The last thing he needed as he faced the coming war was a conniving woman filling his thoughts.
But that was exactly what confronted him now, leaving him no more choice in this matter than he had in any other.
Her visit forced him to action, though all he really wanted after two straight days in the saddle was to sleep. That wasn’t to be. First, he’d need to hunt down Malcolm’s brother. Patrick MacDowylt would understand and help him present his case to their laird before Jeanne had a chance to confront him. Once their laird had refused her request, Patrick would be the best to help him make the arrangements necessary to keep the stubborn woman alive.
Heading toward the keep, Eric rolled his shoulders, preparing himself for what was to come. Though he fully anticipated support from Patrick, and their laird himself, it was Jeanne’s threat to go to the lady of Castle MacGahan that concerned him. With Lady Danielle on Jeanne’s side, his argument, no matter how sensible, could well be to no avail.
Even without their lady’s backing, Eric had not one single doubt that Jeanne would do exactly as she’d threatened, setting off on this wickedly foolish quest all by herself no matter who might try to stop her.
She was without question the most impulsive, stubborn woman he’d ever known.
Unfortunately, she also had the distinction of being the only one he’d ever risked losing his heart to. And because of that, if nothing else, he was determined to do everything in his power to keep her safely here within the walls of Castle MacGahan.
Chapter Two
“If I’m to help you, Jeanne, first you’ll have to help me understand why this is important enough for you to risk your life over.”
The lady of Castle MacGahan reached out to cover Jeanne’s hand with her own.
“I owe this to Eymer. He stepped in for me when I needed someone to be there. I canna fail him in the only thing he ever asked of me.”
Danielle squeezed her hand. “I know you loved your husband, Jeanne. Believe me, I would do anything in my power to change what happened to Eymer. But going off on some quest to the sea, especially this time of year, just because you promised him you would, hardly seems a rational thing to do. I can see why Captain MacNicol refused you. I’m sure Malcolm will, too—unless you can give me some good reason.”
Jeanne had never intended to share her secrets with another living soul. She’d sworn as much on her honor.
But honor wasn’t going to get her what she needed. Her only hope was plain and simple honesty.
“I dinna love Eymer in the way you think. No as a husband, at any rate. Eymer wed me to save me the shame I’d bear when people learned I was with child. He offered himself as husband and father when the babe’s real father refused.”