Page 68 of The Warrior's Innocent Captive

Linota shook her head. ‘Mistress Sutton said you don’t have a sister.’

‘Who’s Mistress Sutton? Oh, I know. The tall, severe lady who looks permanently disappointed. Why would she know whether or not I have a sister? She doesn’t know me. I told you, I hid Mary as best I could. A small bastard child in a large fortress is hardly significant.’

Linota paused for a moment, her hand hovering over the chest, but then she shook her head and carried on.

Stepping away from her, he leaned against the nearest wall and folded his arms as if he didn’t have a care in the world. He didn’t have many belongings and she could hunt through them all she liked. She would find no proof his sister had ever lived among his paltry effects.

‘Careful with that,’ he said when she got to the bottom of the chest.

She bent down and with both hands lifted the ornate sword that normally lay beneath his other belongings.

‘This doesn’t look like a steward’s sword,’ she said, holding it aloft.

‘That’s because it isn’t. I’m not a steward any more.’ He inhaled sharply. Jarin had forgiven him and Erik was grateful. Jarin had even offered to keep him on in the role of his steward, but Erik had declined. Jarin needed a more experienced man to guide him. Linota was still holding the sword, the expression on her face accusing. ‘It belonged to my father.’

‘Did you steal it?’

He pushed himself away from the wall and took the unwieldy sword from her. ‘I think you’ve said enough. You should go now.’

She didn’t move as he began to fold his winter clothing and place it back in the chest.

‘I’m serious, Linota. If you’ve only come here to insult me then you need to leave. Go and join your sister in celebrating her forthcoming wedding.’

‘I want to believe you, Erik.’

He glanced sideways at her. Her eyes were wide and glistening with unshed tears.

‘I can tell you my story, Linota, but that doesn’t mean you will believe it.’

‘Please tell me anyway.’

He paused. Hadn’t he wanted to do this from the very beginning? And now she was here and wanted to hear what he had to say. ‘Very well.’

Linota perched on the end of his bed, her hands folded in her lap, as he told her what had happened to him from the moment de Bevoir approached him. He told her all about his young niece and how he was still searching for Isabel, how he wouldn’t stop until he’d found her.

He didn’t tell her he had been outside her room when she had accepted Borwyn’s proposal. Or how that acceptance had sent him to his knees. Or the overwhelming relief he’d experienced when he’d found out she hadn’t gone through with the marriage. He didn’t think he would have been able to see her married to his brother and not go insane.

He knew she would have to marry someone else, but that faceless nobleman would live far from Borwyn’s lands. He would not have to see her grow round with someone else’s child. The knowledge that she was sharing another man’s bed would be painful, but not as excruciating as witnessing the proof of it.

‘You could have trusted me with the truth,’ she said when he’d finished his tale.

He shook his head. ‘I couldn’t take that risk, don’t you see? Isabel’s life depended on it.’

Linota stood abruptly. ‘I would have helped you find Isabel.’

Erik rubbed his forehead. ‘All I needed from you was to stay hidden. I—’

She interrupted him. ‘You didn’t want my help.’

‘I didn’t need it,’ he bit out.

Why couldn’t she see what he was saying? He’d always had to look after himself. These last few months not withstanding, he’d been pretty good at it for most of his life. He didn’t need the help of the one woman he wanted to keep safe above all others.

She didn’t respond to his outburst. Instead she nodded and made towards the chamber door.

‘Shall I escort you to the feast?’ he asked, not quite ready for his time with her to be over.

‘I’m not going to the feast.’

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