Page 165 of Historical Hotties
Ryton sat back in his seat, not at all sure he wanted to hear the truth. “My God,” he breathed. “Please tell me that you have not compromised her.”
Creed shook his head. “Nay,” he murmured. “But… I would be lying if I said I did not feel something for her. I cannot describe it more than that; all I know is that she fills me as no one else ever has. She is becoming my sun, my moon and my stars. I cannot tell you how this has happened. All I know is that is has.”
“I knew it,” Ryton hissed, slamming his cup on the table. “When you came to tell me that she had locked herself in the chapel, I knew there was something more to it. I could hear it in your tone. Of all of my knights, you are the last one I would expect this to happen to. How could you do this?”
He was angry, which triggered Creed’s well-heeled temper. He slammed his massive fists on the table, shaking the heavy furniture from end to end violently.
“Damnation, Ryton,” he fired back. “This is no fickle dalliance. Have you ever known me to show interest in a woman, least of all a charge?”
“Never!” Ryton roared.
“Then trust me when I tell you that this goes much deeper than a trite rendezvous.”
“Does it?” Ryton was flaming. “She was your ward. You crossed the line.”
“I love her!”
The last two sentences were hotly spoken, overlapping. When Ryton heard his brother’s last sentence, his eyes widened and his fury was immediately doused. Staring at his brother, wide-eyed, he plopped back down on the bench as if he suddenly lost all of his strength.
“Oh… Good Lord,” he muttered. “Are you serious?”
Creed looked back at him with equal astonishment. He could hardly believe he said it, but on the other hand, he had never said anything more truthful in his life. He could not have denied it in any case.
“Aye,” he sighed heavily, regaining his own seat. “I do. She may be aggressive, disobedient and uncontrollable, but she is also the sweetest, most intelligent and compassionate lady I have ever met. She makes me laugh. She makes me feel as if I am important.”
“Youareimportant,” Ryton had no idea why he felt so ill; a mixture of delight and horror swirled in his chest. “You are the most powerful knight the realm has ever seen. The king himself recognized that until all of this madness with Isabella. You can have any woman you want but, instead, you choose a Scots. And not just any Scots; a laird’s daughter, a hostage for peace. She is not meant for you, Creed. Do you not understand that?”
“She is meant for me and no other,” Creed’s dusky blue eyes were intense. “A marriage is a perfect way to cement an alliance with the Scots.”
“A marriage?” Ryton blurted. “Do you mean to say that you intend to marry her?”
Creed really had not thought on that until he had said it. Now he could think of nothing else. “I do,” he asserted. “I will go to her father and make an offer for her hand.”
Ryton could not help it; he put his hands to his face as if trying to hold his brains in. He simply could not believe what he was hearing from his stoic, emotionless brother. His cup was next to him and he realized he needed more wine, but the cup did not hold enough so he drank it straight from the pitcher.
“You certainly do not make things easy for yourself, do you?” he wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. “Just what do you plan to offer?”
“My inheritance.”
Ryton’s eyes flew open wide. “All of it?”
Creed shrugged. “When father passes on, you and I will split the Hartlepool baronetcy,” he said. “I will sell you my half for a trifle of what it is worth. Just enough to purchase a bride.”
Ryton stared at him as if he could hardly comprehend was he was hearing. “Nay,” he muttered. “I will not let you sell it. We will combine our money if that is what it takes, but I will not let you give up your inheritance. It belongs to you as much as me.”
Their conversation fell silent as tempers calmed and they began to weigh the situation. Not only were the circumstances with the queen heating up, but with the added addition of Creed’s feelings for their hostage, everything surrounding the man was growing bigger than they could comprehend.. Ryton could not help it; he drained the pitcher until it was empty.
“So now what?” he muttered, glancing to his brother. “You can no longer guard the lady. Now what do we do?”
Creed shrugged faintly. “Give the duty to Burle,” he replied quietly. “I will see the lady on my own time.”
“Under normal circumstances, I would have a hard enough time with that statement. But given the discussion we have just had, do you think that is entirely wise?”
“Wise or not, those are my intentions.”
“Brother or not, I am still your captain.”
“Do you intend to keep me from her, then?”
