Page 62 of The Warrior's Innocent Captive

‘There is nothing the matter with me,’ she said firmly.

‘That’s not true,’ said Ellena kindly but firmly. ‘I see the pain in your eyes whenever your sister denigrates Erik just as easily as I can see you wistfully gazing into the distance when your mind is elsewhere. I think you fell for this Erik Ward when you were with him. Is that true?’

Linota played with the edge of the sheet she was working on. She had kept her feelings for Erik buried deep inside her for months now. Katherine wouldn’t talk about him apart from when she was carving chunks out of his personality. Linota wanted—no, she needed—to talk about him with someone who would listen rather than rant.

‘Yes, it’s true.’ She picked at her embroidery. ‘I did fall for him, deeply.’ Her heart fluttered, it was so good to finally say the words. To admit she’d done something so foolish as to love a man who had betrayed her in every way. ‘I wish I hadn’t,’ she added. ‘I don’t want to care for him. He lied to me. I may have feelings for him, but even if he wanted my forgiveness I couldn’t give it to him.’

Ellena nodded slowly. ‘Your sister certainly thinks he lied and deceived you all and yet you seem like a sensible woman. He must have done something to win your admiration. Tell me what happened to make you see the best in him.’

Linota tilted her head and thought about what had attracted her to him in the first place.

‘He’s very handsome,’ she blurted out.

Ellena flung back her head and laughed. Heat swept up Linota’s neck. She touched her cheeks only to find them burning, too.

‘Yes, he is handsome,’ Ellena agreed. ‘Even I noticed that and I was already in love with your strapping brother.’

Linota pulled a face. She wasn’t blind to the overwhelming attraction between her brother and his new wife. It was lovely, but also left her feeling a little sick; he was her older brother after all.

Ellena shook her head. ‘Enough about Braedan. We were talking about you. There must be more to Erik than his pleasing physique.’

‘He makes...made me laugh.’

‘Laughter’s good. There is nothing worse than being married to a man who makes you miserable; I should know.’ Ellena paled a little and her eyes took on a haunted look. Linota reached out to touch the back of her sister-in-law’s hand. It was no secret that Ellena’s first marriage had been horrific and although Linota didn’t know the details she knew enough to be glad the man was dead and buried. Ellena shook her head and smiled. ‘Don’t think I am going to change the subject. I want to know more about Erik Ward. I want to know if he’s worthy of my new sister.’

Linota’s chest constricted. She squeezed Ellena’s hand, trying to communicate without words how wonderful it felt to be part of Ellena’s family.

‘I’m not sure I want to talk about him.’

‘It might help.’

Linota shook her head. ‘I’m not sure about that. Nothing can change what happened. Erik lied to me about everything. I even told him how much the truth meant to me and he still went ahead and did it. He used me for his own gain.’

‘On the surface it does seem as if he has done the worst. But the truth is not always black and white. Perhaps he had a compelling reason for acting as he did. Did you ever ask him?’

The tips of Linota’s fingers turned cold. ‘No. I never spoke to him after...’

Ellena smiled gently. ‘So you never gave him a chance to explain?’

‘Would you have done?’

Ellena glanced down at her sewing and sighed. ‘No, I wouldn’t have done. In fact, your brother did something similar to me.’

‘He did?’

Linota had a hard time imagining that. Braedan adored Ellena and would do anything for her. He did try to disguise the fact he was wrapped around her little finger—he was a hardened warrior, after all—but most people knew exactly how devoted he was.

‘Yes, he did. And afterwards I realised that his actions had been to protect his sisters and as I’ve come to know and love you, I understand why he did what he did.’

Linota turned her attention back to her pattern, trying to pick up where she’d left off. ‘But I loathe people who lie. It was lies that condemned my father, lies which meant my sister and I spent years confined to our chambers.’

‘Sometimes people lie and betray for their own gain. That is unforgivable. Other times the reasons are more complex. You need to find out what motivated Erik. Only then will you find peace.’

Linota concentrated fiercely on her pattern as she pondered Ellena’s words. Could it be true that Erik had acted with the best of intentions? Was there a way for her to understand what he had done? Her heart fluttered at the possibility and then dropped once more. ‘Even if I could forgive him, there can be no future for us.’

Ellena frowned. Linota continued her explanation. ‘I am expected to marry well. Erik Ward is a bastard.’

‘I’m sure Braedan can be persuaded—’

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