Page 32 of Forced to Marry the Earl
“Forgive me, my lord, I did not see you there.”
“Forsooth, Merek, can those potions of yours not help you see through walls?” Otto spoke with irony and saw with satisfaction the glimmer of an answering smile on the physician’s face.
“Not quite.” Merek was holding a large bag which he twisted anxiously in his capable hands.
Otto was gripped by sudden alarm. “You have been summoned to see Ariana? Is she well?”
Merek nodded and held up a hand to allay his concerns. “She is quite well, I assure you. Merely tired and a little,” he hesitated, “overwrought.”
“Overwrought?” Otto raised an eyebrow.
Merek nodded slowly, closing the door fully behind him and stepping to the side. “It is only to be expected, my lord. A youngwoman. A new bride.” He inclined his head delicately. “Lady Ariana requested a sleeping draught.”
His words felled all Otto’s aspirations and he put a hand to the cool castle wall to steady himself. “So the lady wishes to sleep?”
Merek was wise to avoid the question. “Once she is well-rested, she will be better able to fulfil her duties to Darkmoor.”
“I certainly hope so,” Otto declared bluntly.
Merek made another bow. “If you will excuse me, my lord, I have another patient to attend to.”
“Yes, of course.” Otto cleared his path. “I thank you for your ministrations.”
Merek hurried away, his cloak swinging beside him, leaving Otto to gaze at the closed door like a lovesick squire.
He had been spurned by his bride.
The sting of rejection quickened his temper and Otto half raised his hand to knock and demand entry. But sense prevailed. He had been the one to tell Ariana to take all the time she needed. And that had been just yesterday.
His shoulders drooped and he rested his forehead on the unyielding oak of the door, weariness claiming his limbs. Were he not primed to always stay on high alert, he would have been inclined to call Merek back to administer a second sleeping draught.
He must stay true to his promise. They would move at a pace dictated by Ariana. Only when she was ready, would he bed his bride.
But she was ready, his mind raged. Down at the riverbank, she had wanted him just as much as he wanted her.Hadn’t she?
Distant footsteps jolted him from his reverie. The Earl of Darkmoor must not be caught sulking out here. Quickly, he covered the distance to his own bedchamber where he flung the door closed in frustration.
He had obviously misread Ariana’s signals. Inadvertently, had he pushed her too far that morning? Maybe even frightened her?Overwrought, Merek had said.
Otto had never pushed his advantage with a woman, and he didn’t intend to start with his innocent bride. He would keep his distance from Ariana. That was the only way.
And so the die was cast. He would stay away and let her come to him.
Otto pursed his lips as he surveyed his empty room. He may be sleeping alone for some time yet.
Chapter Nine
Tall and confident,the young knight strode through the trees, sparing hardly a glance towards the poor figure huddled to the side of the woodland path.
Safely hidden by the heavy folds of a woolen cloak, Ariana breathed a sigh of relief as he passed.
She had chosen this narrow path, believing it to be hardly used. Her heart had nearly jumped out of her throat when she heard the firm footsteps and clanking of spurs behind her.
Thank goodness for her disguise.
The knight continued on his way, arms swinging by his sides as he whistled tunelessly. The woodland birds piped their own songs over his head, creating a cacophony of joyful sound entirely at odds with the apprehension twisting inside Ariana’s chest.
Could a rough cloak fashioned from the poorest wool, really provide the protection she needed?
