Page 31 of The Unwilling Bride
“And Lord knows you’ve had plenty of experience with them.”
Henry made a sour face as he lay back on his cot, cushioning his head with his hands. “It’s because I have that I don’t want Merrick wed to a woman who’s going to betray him. Honor and duty are all in all to him, and if he’s disgraced…”
“It would be a disaster,” Ranulf finished, nodding his head in agreement. “But you may be making trouble where none exists. What woman of any sense and taste would prefer young Kiernan over Merrick? And I see no sign that she reciprocates that young man’s infatuation, if it exists. We should give her the benefit of the doubt. She’s a beautiful woman—she can’t help it if some lovesick milksop swoons over her.”
Henry turned on his side, levering himself up on his elbow to look at Ranulf. “I don’t trust her, and I certainly don’t trust that Kiernan, either.”
Neither did Ranulf, but should they tell Merrick Henry’s suspicions? Was it worth causing yet more friction between his friend and his bride? For friction there certainly was. After all, what proof did they have to accuse her? What if Henry was wrong, for once?
“If we find evidence that Lady Constance does indeed reciprocate the Cornish Kiernan’s feelings, we should warn Merrick,” he said after considering the situation. “Otherwise, I think we should keep your suspicions to ourselves.”
Henry wasn’t pleased. “I don’t want Merrick to make a mistake and marry a woman who’ll ruin his life.”
“Neither do I, but I don’t want to plant suspicion when there’s no cause.”
“Because he loves her,” Henry agreed.
Ranulf made no secret of his surprise. “Has he said that to you?”
“No, not a word. But I’ve known the man for fifteen years and I’ve seen him around other women. He’s never been more attentive—for him. Nor has he offered to release Lady Constance from their betrothal. If he didn’t care for her, he would have.”
Ranulf let out his breath in a low whistle. “God’s blood, Henry, I think you’re right.”
Unfortunately, this made the situation even more complicated.
“You may be clever in matters of war and politics, my friend, but when it comes to men and women…” Henry gave a shrug that wasn’t entirely modest.
“I could keep a watch on her,” he suggested as Ranulf tried to decide what to do. “See if she meets Kiernan secretly or if there’s any other sign she reciprocates the lovesick lad’s adoration.”
Ranulf tensed ever so slightly. Merrick seemed to trust Henry, but Henry’s reputation when it came to women was well deserved. “I don’t think that would be wise.”
Henry frowned. “Oh, for the love of God! She’s betrothed to Merrick, so even if I was tempted to try to get her into my bed, which I confess I would be if she wasn’t his betrothed, I’d never…” His frown deepened. “I swore an oath of brotherhood with both of you, and I would die rather than dishonor it.”
“I trust you, and I’m sure Merrick does, too,” Ranulf replied, “but what do you think Lord Algernon or Lord Carrell or the servants will say if they see you skulking around Lady Constance? I should watch her.”
“You’re not exactly a dog’s breakfast yourself,” Henry observed, clearly a little peeved.
“Thank you,” Ranulf said, acknowledging the compliment and trying to defuse the tension that had arisen. “But as you’re forever telling me, I’m not nearly so charming, and thus less suspicious. Plus, I’m more subtle.”
“I can be subtle.”
“When you’re trying to seduce a woman,” Ranulf agreed. “We don’t want anyone to think that’s what you’re doing with Lady Constance—or Lady Beatrice.”
Henry gave him a look that was genuinely astonished. “I have no interest of that sort in little Lady Bea.”
“If you say so,” Ranulf replied, masking his relief. “But I would take care, Henry. Beatrice is young andnot like the more worldly ladies of the court. She might interpret your chivalrous nonsense as meaning more than it does. You wouldn’t want to find yourself roped into marriage because of a girl’s misunderstanding, would you? And Merrick has enough to think about without having to defend his friend’s actions.”
Henry scowled for a moment, then his eyes brightened with merry jubilation. “I tell you what—we can set Beatrice on Kiernan.”
Ranulf stiffened. “What?”
“She can keep him company and away from Lady Constance. And he’s so besotted with my lady, there’s no danger to the little chatterer’s honor.”
“I wish you wouldn’t call her that,” Ranulf said, annoyed. “Beatrice is a noblewoman.”
Henry laughed and bowed his head. “Forgive my impertinence. But what do you think of my plan?”
“You wouldn’t tell Beatrice why you were encouraging that, would you?”
