Page 52 of Wolf's Keep

He stilled, her disappointment ringing loud in that one word. Gaharet touched a soft kiss to her hairline, more confident in her feelings than he had been a moment ago. He caught Lothair’s smirk at their whispered conversation, the urge to visit violence on the comte difficult to resist.

Gaharet forced his grip on the reins to relax. He reached into the saddlebag, tearing off a chunk of bread and handing it to Erin. They had a decent ride ahead of them, and she would be hungry by the time they reached Langeais Keep. Having her mouth busy for at least part of the journey would make it difficult for her to respond to anything Lothair said. Lothair had plenty of time for pretty women, but neither their conversation nor their opinions interested him. If Erin attempted to control the conversation as she had with him that first morning in his hall, unlike Gaharet, Lothair would not find it amusing.

Her body pressed against his, they set off for Langeais. The keep guard surrounded them, whether guarding them or preventing escape, Gaharet could not be entirely sure.

Lothair pulled his horse alongside them. “You caught me by surprise with your little announcement back there, Gaharet.”

“It was not my intention, Lothair, I assure you.”

“You did not think to mention her when we last met?”

Gaharet glanced at his comte. “If you recall, we had other pressing issues to discuss.”

Lothair inclined his head. “True. Still, had I known you were in the market for a wife, I would have provided you with a few excellent choices.”

“As grateful as I would be for your efforts, I would have refused them all.”

“What? You would refuse what I have to offer—connections, wealth, youth and titles over this one. My, my Gaharet, her charmsmustbe exceptional.”

He ogled Erin, running his gaze up and down her body. Erin choked, and it took all Gaharet’s self-control to not knock Lothair from his saddle.

Gaharet rested his hand on top of Erin’s, rubbing his thumb across her knuckles. A gesture meant to reassure and restrain. She placed her other hand on top of his and she squeezed. He relaxed a little, turning his attention back to Lothair.

“I find her very charming,” he said, aware of two pairs of ears hanging off his every word. “And there is a small matter of…of an obligation.” In his peripheral vision, he caught Erin’s sidelong look, and he winced. He could find no other way of describing the situation to satisfy Lothair.

“The d’Louncrais family is indebted to another family? This Richardson family? This is the first I have heard of it.”

“It happened in another place, another time, far removed from my family’s current circumstances.” Gaharet shrugged. “I have put off taking a wife for too long and I find myself looking forward to such an agreeable situation.”

“Mmm. She widowed? She is too old for this to be her first marriage. Does she have children? Is she fertile?”

Erin snorted and Gaharet coughed to cover it.

“Nasty cough you have there, Gaharet. You want to get that looked at.”

Gaharet made a show of clearing his throat. “This is her first marriage and as for her fertility—she is healthy. I am sure there will be no problems.”

Once he made Erin one of them, short of having her head separated from her body or being burned at the stake, there were very few things that would not heal with werewolf blood. It was werewolf blood that had saved Aimon’s life.

“Gaharet. Is a family obligation more important than heirs? She is at least a score and some years old. Can she even bear children at that age? And one has to wonder why she has not been married before. Is she tainted? Is her family forcing you into this marriage? You only have to say the word, Gaharet, and I will deal with this Richardson family.”

Gaharet grimaced. Lothair would not let this rest. Chances were Lothair had a cousin he would have liked to see Gaharet marry, strengthening his allegiance through a familial connection. He had no desire to cement his family’s fortunes to those of Lothair. He would no sooner marry into the comte’s family than he would create Lothair his army of werewolves.

“There are no other Richardsons for you to concern yourself about, Lothair. When she arrived at my keep, she was alone in this world.”

“An orphan? You have taken her in? If you wish to provide for her, then give her a position in your household. In the kitchen or as a chambermaid. You can still bed her, but you need not marry her.”

“I could do that,” said Gaharet, “but I have chosen not to. She will make me a good wife. I have made my decision, and I will not be changing it.”

“Hmpf. Very well, Gaharet. You seemed determined.”

Lothair would still send out messengers the moment they reached Langeais Keep, searching for information regarding Erin and her family. It would all be in vain.

“Have you given any more thought to our last conversation, Gaharet?”

“I have.”

“And?”

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