Page 28 of Wolfehound
“Do you want to get rid of me?”
She did look at him then. “Not today,” she said. “Ask me the same question tomorrow and I may have a different answer.”
He continued to laugh. “You know how to make a man feel wanted.”
She was gearing up for a petulant retort but was distracted because someone was licking her hand. Cambria looked downto see Bran, Liam’s dog, licking at her fingers and she instantly softened, going down on a knee to pet the very big, black head.
“He looks healthy,” she said. “I am glad to see that he is happy.”
“He is very happy,” he said. “I told your father that I wanted to thank you for giving him to me. I do not know what I would do without him.”
Her pets on the dog slowed. “And I do not know what I would do without you,” she said quietly. “If you must return north, to battle, then try not to be killed before we have a chance to wed.”
The smile faded from Liam’s face. That was as honest as he’d ever heard her. He’d known Cambria for the entirety of her life, before she was even called Cambria, and he’d always viewed the betrothal between them as a duty and nothing more. When he was younger, he’d been positively averse to it to the point of rebellion, but stern words from William had quelled any resistance.Marry her and breed strong English sons from her,William had told him. He knew why, too. It was to breed away Llywelyn’s bloodlines. He knew he’d been chosen for an important role.
He’d tried to focus on that.
Truthfully, until he rode through the gates of Folkingham this time, he’d simply been resigned to his future. The last he saw of Cambria, she’d been just a girl, skinny, with a pretty face and crooked teeth. He remembered that she’d followed him around, holding his hand, and he’d barely tolerated it. He’d expected that with this visit, he’d have to tolerate her again, but something strange had happened.
She’d grown up.
The woman before him suddenly wasn’t such an unhappy duty. Not only had she physically matured, but her manner had matured as well. She was humorous. She was brave, as evidenced by her conversation with her father. She was growingup before him and he liked what he saw. He could only imagine how magnificent she would be in another four or five years, when it was time for them to wed. What had been a duty could become something else.
It might actually be a pleasure.
Bending over her as she crouched on the ground and petted his dog, he murmured in her ear.
“I will do my best,” he whispered.
His hot breath on her ear startled her and she instinctively put her hand up, slapping him in the mouth in the process. He grunted, immediately tasting blood, as she bolted to her feet.
“Forgive me,” she said apologetically. “I did not mean to do that.”
He rubbed at the lip where there was a pinprick of blood from being cut by a front tooth. “Not to worry,” he said. “I will heal. But I meant what I said. I will do everything possible to ensure the Scots do not take my life.”
She nodded, seemingly satisfied by his declaration. “I hope so,” she said. “Because I am certain there is no other man in England who could tolerate me.”
His eyebrows rose dramatically. “And you think I can?”
She grinned, a lovely gesture. “You have no choice,” she said. “It’s either me or the Scots.”
“That’s my only alternative?”
“I am afraid so.”
His smile was back and he winked at her. “I will take my chances with you,” he said. “But you should know that I am the jealous type, so no flirting with anyone while I am away. It was charming when you were a child, but you are no longer a child. The only man you will flirt with is me and you cannot do that until you are a little older, so keep that in mind. Behave yourself while I am gone. Promise?”
She cocked her head thoughtfully. “And if I do not?”
“Then I’ll spank you like your father just did.”
“You’ll have to catch me first.”
He scowled, watching her fight off a smile. She was toying with him and he was going to let her. Loudly, he stomped a big boot in her direction and she squealed with terror, taking off on a run toward the bailey. He gave her a head start before following, grinning all the way.
The next several years were going to be a very, very long wait, indeed.
PART TWO
