Page 156 of Historical Hotties
“I swear on my mother’s grave, my lady. I would not lie to you about something like this, not even to save my brother.”
A dark eyebrow lifted. “Then Julia lied to me.”
“She was repeating what she had heard. She did not make it up if that is what you mean.”
“But why would she do this?”
Ryton looked moderately uneasy; his gaze shifted from Carington to the chapel door behind her to finally his feet.
“Because she is fond of Creed,” he said quietly. “She is, in fact, in love with him. He does not return her adoration and forthe same reason Isabella slandered him, Julia is also vengeful. Perhaps she is threatened by your beauty and by the fact that Creed has been assigned to act as your protector. In any case, ask me no more.”
Carington understood a great deal in that grunted reply, her emerald eyes moving past Ryton and to the ward below. She could see a few servants and soldiers milling about. It suddenly occurred to her that she had believed that slanderous talk before asking Creed his side of the story. He had been honest, protective and forthright since she had met him. She had been difficult, angry and combative. Julia was a snake; she had sensed it from the first. Why she had believed the woman’s tale was a mystery. Now she felt like a fool.
With a heavy sigh, she wiped a stray bit of hair from her face and gathered her skirt to take the steps.
“Then it would seem I have some apologies to make to yer brother,” she said softly, taking the stairs.
Ryton took her by the elbow, chivalrously, simply to make sure she kept her footing on the narrow stairs.
“I am sure no apologies are necessary, my lady,” he said. “But to ensure your comfort, I shall assign you another escort while you are here at Prudhoe.”
She stopped half way down, her emerald eyes snapping to him. “Another es…?” she stopped herself before she sounded too outraged, struggling to remain collected. “That will be unnecessary, Sir Ryton. Sir Creed and I have gotten used to one another. I dunna want to break in another shadow.”
He heard that tone again. The same wistfulness he had heard before no matter how hard she tried to conceal it. Now he was sure he was not imagining things but, for lack of a better response at the moment, he simply nodded his head.
“Very well, my lady,” he replied.
They reached the bottom of the steps and headed into the bailey. The moment they turned for the keep, they could see Creed in conversation with Stanton over by the gatehouse. Stanton was still mounted on his impatient charger and Creed kept side-stepping the animal. Ryton came to a stop.
“Wait here, my lady,” he bade her.
Carington watched him walk towards his brother, watching further as Creed and Stanton turned to him. Ryton spoke a few words to Creed, who nodded his head and headed towards Carington, alone.
As Carington watched him cross the dusty ward in her direction, she was aware of the butterflies in her stomach. Her breathing was coming in strange little gasps the closer he came. All she could focus on was his eyes; he had the most amazing eyes. The lightning bolts were flaring again, shooting giddy warmth deep into her heart. Before she realized it, Creed was standing in front of her.
“Is everything well now, my lady?” he asked softly.
She tried to remain dignified but the moment she heard his voice, she crumbled. “I am so sorry,” she whispered miserably. “I shouldna… Julia told me things and I… well, I shouldna have listened to her and I am sorry. Can ye ever forgive me for being so foolish?”
Creed just looked at her. After a moment, he extended his elbow to her. Carington looked at it, then back to him, watching a beautiful smile spread across his lips. It was enough to undo her and she clutched his arm tightly.
“There is nothing to forgive, my lady,” he murmured. “Are you ready to go to town now?”
She had almost forgotten about their trip. “Do ye still want to take me?” she asked, surprised.
He slanted her a glance. “Of course. Why not?”
Her lovely brows drew together. “Why not? Because I have been such an imbecile. Why would ye want to have anything to do with me now?”
He paused and turned to her, a smile playing on his lips. “Because I rather like imbeciles; especially beautiful ones.” When she blushed madly, his smile broadened and his voice lowered. “Come along, Cari. We have many wonderful things to purchase for you.”
She was having a difficult time looking at him; his smile made her go weak in the knees. “Oh, Creed,” she sighed. “Ye are too good to me.”
“I know.”
Stanton, Burle and Ryton could hear her hissing insults at him. They could also hear Creed’s low laughter, even when she pinched him.
*
