Page 81 of Forced to Marry the Earl
Angus raised his goblet in a toast. “I’ll say.”
Otto leaned across his wife to better address his friend. “Ariana asked me just this morning, how come Angus de Neville is not yet married?”
Angus treated her to a mock serious expression. “That is a very good question, my lady. It’s one I have troubled myself with many times.”
“And?” Otto pursed his lips in enquiry.
“And I am at a loss.” Angus opened his arms wide, then turned back to Ariana. “Wolvesley is renowned for its hospitality, but still my betrothed finds distraction elsewhere. Can you think what I am doing wrong?” He affected a look of mournful misery.
“No indeed.” She couldn’t help a burst of laughter. “You keep a very grand home.”
Angus nodded his thanks. “Lucan tells me his efforts tonight have not gone unnoticed by our special friends in the west,” he said in an undertone to Otto. “I understand a missive has already been dispatched to Powys.”
Otto looked impressed. “Lucan’s strategy is to be admired. This grand ball has mayhap saved many lives.” He took another swig of wine and smacked his lips. “Your brother will have to take me under his wing. With such help, perchance we can yet establish a reign of peace in Darkmoor.”
“I am happy to send my troupe of acrobats up to your wild home, whenever you say the word,” Angus laughed.
“You have everything here a man could wish for.” Otto eyed their table, groaning under the weight of so much food. “You are blessed indeed.”
“Blessed in all ways, except in love.” Angus spoke into his goblet of wine. “In return for my acrobats, mayhap you willstay here, my friend, and teach me what you have so recently learned?”
Otto put down his goblet and reached for Ariana’s hand, which she gave him willingly. He entwined his fingers with hers and spoke as if she were the only person in the room. “I do not believe that love is a lesson to be learned,” he said softly. “More it is something that simply falls into place, when the right person is by your side.”
Ariana’s lips curled up in agreement as she leaned forward for the kiss she knew what was coming. “What a very wise man you are,” she whispered.
The feasting and merriment around them faded into nothing as Otto’s lips lowered towards hers and Ariana experienced a familiar swirling, bubbling feeling deep inside her stomach. It was a feeling she recognized readily now.
It was happiness.
THE END
