Page 21 of War King's Treasure

“I missed you when I woke up,” she admitted then blushed when someone cleared their throat. She hadn’t paid attention to who was at the table with him. She’d seen Gavin, and everything else had faded away.

“Soon, we’ll wake up together,” he promised, dropping another kiss on her lips before helping her to a seat then filling a trencher for her.

“I’m glad my mother isn’t here to see your behavior. She’d be appalled.”

Her gaze jerked to Robert then to her grandfather, who sat beside him. At least, he didn’t look disappointed in her. He appeared curious.

“There is nothing appalling with my wife’s behavior,” Gavin snapped at Robert.

“His mother didn’t teach me anything, anyway,” Nori said as one of the kitchen maids filled a mug for her. “She couldn’t be bothered to do it for her own daughter. Why would she for me?”

“How dare you!” Robert pushed up from the table.

She flicked her gaze at him then glanced at Gavin, who nodded for her to continue.

“Let’s be honest, Robert. I may have lived in your home, but I was never a member of your family. I was another mouth to feed, and unless my grandfather was there, I was mostly taught to fend for myself and stay out of sight. If it weren’t for the staff, not a one of you would have cared if I’d disappeared.”

“Is that true?” her grandfather demanded.

“No.” Robert’s face turned red with rage.

“Be honest. You wouldn’t have noticed until you needed me around, so I could be presented to my grandfather with demands for more money for this or that, which were required to educate and make a lady out of me. Funny. I was educated by your father’s steward, who taught me how to read, write, and calculate numbers. Old Moses taught me to ride a horse and took care of any injuries I had as a child. He even comforted me when your father sold my first pony because a selfish child like me didn’t deserve such a fine animal.”

“They sold your pony? Why wasn’t I told of this?” her grandfather demanded, and as much as it hurt her, she knew it was time to admit what Gavin had seen from the very beginning.

“Because you were never around,” she whispered, only realizing her hands were clenched when Gavin took one in his hand, forcing her fingers away from her palm and linking his between hers. He gave her hand a squeeze, letting her know he was there, though he didn’t interrupt the conversation.

“I’m the king. I couldn’t always be there.”

“No, you didn’t want to be there.” She lifted her hand when he would have spoken and for once, didn’t feel guilty. “I’m your granddaughter, not your subject, but you’ve never been able to make that distinction. You put me out of sight, sent money, and expected everything would be fine. It wasn’t. I used to cry for you, wishing and begging for you to come visit and take me away with you. I prayed and prayed and prayed. You never did. Then I stopped. No more wishes or prayers. I know I look like my mother because Lady Buckingham used to tell me I did, and that was why you didn’t want me around. Because Rosamund, my mother, had sullied herself with a soldier, marrying in secret. I was told the best thing my mother had done was die while giving birth. That it was a shame I hadn’t died with her.”

“I never…” Phillip opened and closed his mouth several times, his head swinging back and forth. “I’ll kill her for that. I’ll see her hanged.”

“I won’t have these lies spread about my family!” Robert bellowed. “Not by some ungrateful brat, who should be thankful we took her in.”

“Sit down!” Phillip yelled.

Nori was grateful when Gavin pulled her into his lap, wrapping his strong arms around her, helping her hold herself together while she finally released everything she’d held inside for so long.

“I don’t blame you,” she told her grandfather. “I’m sure you loved my mother in your own way. The same as you did with Rory’s mother. With me. But people aren’t objects you can set aside and expect to still be there waiting when you decide to take them out again.”

“I loved Rosamund with all my heart. She was my light and joy, and both were gone when she died. My only thought was to see you had the proper care needed for a newborn. As for Anne…” Phillip’s gaze conveyed more emotion than he probably realized “I’ll never forgive myself for what happened to her or her daughter, but there’s nothing I can do now. Nori, I need you to know you’re not an object to me. You’re the most precious person in my life.”

She wanted to believe him, but a lifetime of neglect had proven his words untrue.

“My husband has shown me more affection in the past few days than I’ve received from you in my whole life. He’s gone out of his way to make me feel accepted.” She turned and met Gavin’s gaze. “He’s made me feel many things, but most of all, he’s shown me what it is to be treasured. I know my life with him will be filled with new adventures, and all of them will be experienced with him.”

“Anything you desire,” Gavin promised.

“Gavin won’t tuck me away and only visit when he finds it convenient,” she continued.

“Never,” he swore.

“That’s what it means to care for someone,” she told her grandfather. “I’ve waited my whole life to find a place to belong, to build a family, so I’d never be alone again. Who knew I was waiting for a War King to force my hand in marriage and show me a side of myself I never knew I had.”

“What are you saying?” Phillip asked.

“I think it’s time you left, Grandfather. I’m no longer your burden to bear. My husband has me now.”

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