Page 33 of Knight of Darkness
“And you think you do?”
“Aye… I believe I do. He is an honorable man.”
“He lets you see that which he wants you to see. Men of his kind will never settle for one woman nor will they marry for love, Ceridwen. He will have the obligation to marry a woman of wealth who will fill his coffers and help him rebuild all that has been destroyed. You deserve better than what he can offer you.”
“And who is to say I am not wealthy enough for him to wed?” she retaliated. She turned her ahead away from her captain, afraid she might say something she could regret.
“I am concerned that you will lose yourself to a man who will only seduce you and then leave, Ceridwen. Aye, I know you are a wealthy woman who stands to inherit Norwich but I wish for you to find the love of a good man. I do not want you to marry a man who will only think of the monies and land you bring with your union,” he stated.
She returned her attention back to the rider leading their group. ’Twas as though Arthur had listened to every doubt Ceridwen had inside her head. “I stand by my words, Arthur. Norwood is a man of honor,” she said softly.
“Just please remember your own self-worth, Ceridwen, and heed my words and counseling,” he stated.
He continued to stare at her waiting for some form of answer. She could only nod her head to show that she had heard his advice. Arthur then kicked his horse into motion, leaving her doubting all that she had been feeling toward Wymar. Mayhap Arthur was right. Perchance there was no future for her and Norwood and she should just let the matter rest between them. His future waited for him in Brockenhurst whilst hers was in Norwich. She would marry one day but not for love. Such romantic notions were only for the bards who came to their hall to entertain them.
She flicked her reins to follow her captain, and whilst Wymar continued to look back upon her as they rode, she hardened her heart to any further feelings of love to a man who must one day desert her.
Chapter Eighteen
They at lastmade camp for the eve. Wymar assigned several men to take turns on making the rounds to ensure their safety. No tents were erected for the night. ’Twas unusually warm and an eve under the stars would ensure they could break camp quickly come the morn.
He watched the woman who all but ignored him from across the campfire as she laughed with her men. She was upset with him but he could not understand what he had done to deserve her anger. He had thought that mayhap they had come to a common accord, and he wondered what her captain had said to her earlier in the day for this was when he noticed the subtle change in her looks toward him.
He stepped forward into the firelight and watched in dismay when her face fell before she turned away from him. ’Twas as though he had insulted her but he knew not when he might have done so. He had no doubt he would soon get to the bottom of what was going on inside her beautiful head. Time passed as the men continued their lighthearted conversation though Ceridwen no longer contributed to their discussions.
His patience at an end, he moved around the fire pit only for her captain to bar his way from the lady.
“Step aside, Chamberlayn,” Wymar ordered. “I mean your lady no harm.”
“You shall answer to me if you do,” Arthur said with clenched teeth although he stepped aside to allow him to pass.
“Lady Ceridwen,” Wymar said holding out his hand. “May I have a private word with you?”
Ignoring his outstretched limb, she rose on her own accord with head held high. “If I must.”
They did not go far, only a short distance into the trees before Wymar whirled around so quickly Ceridwen bumped into him. She muttered an apology but still refused to look upon him.
“What ails you, woman?”
“Excuse me?” she gasped out.
“What have I done to earn your displeasure? You act as though I have done you some harm and yet I cannot fathom what has occurred between us since this morn that I’ve earned the snubbing you continue to give me.”
“’Tis nothing. Your imagination is running away with you,” she said and began to turn away.
He pulled on her arm and she stumbled into his embrace. He could feel every breath she took and knew she was feeling something for him. Anger? Desire? What?
“I imagine nothing, including the fact that there is something between us that we should not deny.”
She pushed on his chest but he refused to let her go. “And what shall this so-called connection gain me but a babe in my belly and a man who shall desert us? I am required to marry a man who will build a life with me in Norwich, as my father wishes. I do not have the luxury as some might to be frivolous with a meager dalliance that will gain me nothing but sorrow.” Her last words caught in her throat and Wymar could only ponder where all this pent-up resentment was coming from.
He traced her cheek with his thumb and the wetness from the tear escaping her eye gave proof that she, too, felt something for him although she refused to admit it aloud.
“Ceridwen…” he said softly. “I know not what shall become of us but can we at least for the moment be friends?”
A sound escaped her as though it was wretched from a pit of despair. “Friends?We cannot be just friends, Norwood.”
“Why ever not?” he asked. He had thought that mayhap if he put their relationship on friendly terms they could work through the rest in due course.
