Page 60 of The Warrior's Innocent Captive

Hell, there was no way Jarin could love Linota. Jarin couldn’t know about the little frown that appeared between her eyebrows whenever she was thinking about something intently. Or the way she laughed so easily or freely. Nor could he know about the soft gasps she made when she was being thoroughly kissed or that she was afraid of the dark and loved roasted meat above all food.

Jarin didn’t know all that, but he could still see that Linota was the most beautiful woman who had ever walked across the face of the earth. He should be begging Linota to become his wife, not discussing dowries and family alliances.

In what felt like a world away Jarin continued. ‘I have discussed a marriage between your good self and me with the Earl of Ogmore and I feel it will be an advantageous match for both of us.’

Erik held his breath.

Surely Linota would tell Jarin no. She had told Erik she loved him only yesterday.

There was a long silence.

Sweat beaded across Erik’s brow. She couldn’t be contemplating the union.

‘I...’ Linota began.

Erik straightened, straining to hear her response.

‘I know this must be difficult for you. We don’t know each other well, but I promise that you will want for nothing, that I shall keep you safe and that no one will be able to harm you.’

‘Thank you for your kind words,’ said Linota, in that strange, flat voice. ‘I would be honoured to be your wife.’

Erik doubled over as if he had been punched in the stomach, a loud ringing sounding in his ears. He tried to suck in a breath, but his lungs weren’t working properly.

He stumbled away, back down the stairs towards his chamber.

He’d lost her.

And he couldn’t blame her. He’d lied to her, knowing how much she despised those who did so.

He’d risked everything and failed.

Chapter Fourteen

Castle Swein—spring 1332

Linota concentrated on the needle, on the steady rhythm of passing it through the material on one side and then the other and the faint whoosh of the thread as she pulled it tight.

Next to her, Katherine was talking to their sister-in-law, Ellena. The soft murmur of their voices was soothing.

The three of them had fallen into the routine of sewing together every afternoon in a quiet corner of the Great Hall at Swein, Ellena’s home. It was a time for them to get together and talk, although they never discussed anything difficult or unpleasant.

Ellena would laughingly tell them something amusing that had happened around the castle that day and Katherine would talk about how she was learning to ride a horse properly.

They never discussed the Earl of Borwyn or his half-brother, Erik Ward. And for that Linota was grateful.

Winter had finally given up its hold on the country and buds were quickly unfurling in the woodland around Swein. For the first time in many months Linota had woken up this morning without numb fingers and toes.

Her heart, though, that was still frozen.

Katherine said something and Ellena laughed. It was such a beautiful sound made by someone who was truly happy. Ellena’s marriage to Linota’s brother was a joyful experience. It made Linota glad to see her brother so content and, in getting to know Ellena, Linota had discovered a friend.

Watching the small, secret smiles the married couple gave to one another when they thought no one else was watching made her thank her own judgement that she had not gone through with her marriage to Borwyn. She’d come so close to making that mistake. It was only on the eve of the wedding that she’d come to her senses.

A union between her and Borwyn would have been a miserable disaster for the both of them.

For days after discovering Erik’s betrayal and lies she’d been so wrapped up in her own misery that she had thought little about the world around her. On the eve of the wedding she realised Borwyn had only offered to marry her out a misplaced sense of obligation.

She had been under his protection when she had been snatched by de Bevoir and his men and Borwyn’s honour had led him to offer her marriage. Numb from the shock of discovering she’d fallen in love with a man who didn’t really exist, she’d accepted. What did it matter whom she married?

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