The Everlasting Covenant (5 page)

While the families argued over diverse politics, Anne and Dylan had been free. They had love, what need had they for the arguments of dukes and kings? But then she had seen Dylan at mass in chain mail. It was not for the tourney this time, but for a real conflict. He spoke as though his support had been commissioned and the political animosity, once so distant, crept closer, edging its way into the hopes and dreams of young love.

For a moment she thought Dylan might forsake their love for a cause. She would have freed him tearlessly had he asked it of her. Not painlessly, she knew, but Anne was stronger and more brave than she realized. And she would do anything for Dylan
’
s sake
.
But in the end he had pledged himself a
new, true
to their plans. Anne continued to push the plots and wars far from her mind, thinking only of Dylan
’
s embrace, his kiss, oblivious to how closely threatened she really was. Anne had absolutely no idea of the kind of life she might have to endure in exile at Dylan
’
s side, and Dylan had only a vague notion.

“
‘
Tis an unseemly place for a maid to hide.
”

She jumped at the masculine voice and looked up to see the Earl of Ayliffe towering above her. Her cheeks flamed, as if he could read her mind.

“
Do you not worry about your safety, Anne? What if some man happened down this path and spied you?
”

“
It appears, my lord, that a man has done exactly that. Need I be afraid?
”

He smiled and dropped down onto the grass near her, drawing up his knees. She was again struck by his youthful appearance, that he
’
d not grown paunchy or sloppy with age. At twenty he might have been as handsome as Dylan, and, indeed, he was handsome still.

“
May we talk awhile, maid Anne?
”

She cocked her head to one side. Her experience with men was severely limited, but an earl who asked permission to speak
inspired her curiosity.
“
You are overly solicitous, my lord. Cer
tainly you could assert your great power and wealth and have a young bride at your whim. You could have had your wedding done in my mother
’
s bedchamber this morn, had you asked for
it.
”

He laughed lightly.
“
I suppose I could. But, Anne, did it ever occur to you that that which is won by force is held only by hope? I would have you love me.
”

Her eyes widened and her cheeks grew hot again. She looked away from his face.

“
I suppose it seems absurd to you now, for you are so young, and I am nearly as old as your father. But you will learn, petite, that age has little to do with it. Or perhaps it is a great advantage. Were I a young knight smitten by your beauty, I would be hard pressed to delay the marriage.
”
He laughed pleasantly.
“
It would be most difficult to ignore the great opportunity of this private coppice. But I am no longer an impatient young man, and I respect your youth and your purity. And,
”
he said, reaching out a finger to turn her face back toward him,
“
I wish for you to be as happy as
I
shall be.
”

“
I do not deserve such kindness, my lord.
”

“
And why not?
”
he asked with a laugh.
“
Because you have had your heart set on some young squire, or some arrogant and handsome young knight? I can assure you, demoiselle, I have traveled enough of this world to know the way of young hearts and young virgins. If you are an honest maid with good inten
tions, all you need is time. And I shall show you that marriage to me and your life as the Countess of Ayliffe will be pleasurable and happy. In time all the young knights who have filled your dreams will fade away and the love of a good and generous man will replace them.
”
He shrugged.
“
In time, Anne, you will be
come a woman. And I plan for that to happen in my home, under my patient care.
”

She could not help but smile at him, for it was clear that he was a tender and kind man. If she had not known Dylan, she could love a man such as Brennan Forbes.
“
I thank you, my lord, for your uncommon goodness.
”

“
My name, Anne. Please, use my name.
”

“
Brennan,
”
she tested, laughing.

“
You need not thank me. I have been married, twice, and both times have been very fortunate to be loved by good women. I
’
m afraid I was not as good a husband as they were wives, but they both did their parts to refine me a bit. Gone are the barbs of a selfish, impatient young man, and I can be a good husband now. If you only let me, I can make you very happy.
”

“
Your wives? They died?
”

“
Aye, the first over twenty years ago when I was but a lad. Childbed took her and my firstborn. I was a long time in getting over that loss. The second, a good woman, gave me a son who is now ten years old, and a fever took her two years past. I have missed her and, until very recently, I could not imagine that I would take a third bride.
”

“
I am so sorry for your losses, Brennan,
”
Anne said sincerely.
“
I cannot imagine losing a loved one
..
.
“
In even thinking of the possibility of losing Dylan, Anne felt the threat of tears.

“
It was difficult, but there is always great risk in loving some
one. I have known your parents and they mentioned their daugh
ter, but ...
”
His voice trailed off and he studied her face.
“
I was pleased to see you at the tournament. Otherwise, we might not have met.
”

“
I have a sister
...
”

“
Yes. Divina.
”

“
It was assumed that she would marry and I would go to the convent.
”

Brennan
’
s shoulders moved in a rueful chuckle.
“
Lady Gifford seems more clever than to make such a dreadful mistake. Why has she kept you hidden until this tournament?
”

Anne shrugged her shoulders as she thought of how she wished to have been hidden just a little longer. But the idea of Divina failing to meet this man
’
s standards almost made her smile. With the energy her sister put toward finding a husband, and in that effort the accrual of many pretty dresses and trinkets that she selfishly hoarded, Divina had
become filled with self-impor
tance. Anne often felt that Divina had their mother
’
s favor. She
tried to console herself that it was their mother
’
s obligation to see
the older daughter wed first, b
ut that explanation for her mother
’
s inattentiveness seemed inadequate. Even though Anne felt no temptation toward Lord Forbes
’
s prestigious offer of mar
riage, something inside her began to glow from the sheer vanity of being singled out. Divina would be deliciously scandalized.

“
How long have you been sitting alone in the wood?
”

“
Since mass,
”
she said absently.

“
Worrying over what harsh demands would be made on you by an eager earl?
”

“
I was worried before. Until this mornin
g, it was only the convent ..
.
”

“
I will protect you better than nuns, Anne.
”

She nodded, but looked down again.

“
Do you come willingly, ma cherie?”
he asked.

Again, she nodded. She looked into his eyes.
“
You are kind to me, Brennan. I would not have you think me ungrateful.
”

“
But?
”
he asked. Anne chewed her lip.
“
Come, my love, let us not begin with lies between us.
I
have told you I can be
understanding of your plight –
I am aware of your youth. If you tell me the truth, perhaps I can help.
”

Anne knew better than to think there was any possible way Brennan Forbes could really accept the truth. She loved another and always would. But she boldly expressed one reservation she felt, if only to see the extent of the man
’
s professed understand
ing.
“
You are kind and polite, and handsome as well. Indeed, all the things a maid would wish to have in a husband. Perhaps too k
ind, Brennan. You almost seem
--
”
she paused, her eyes lightly closed, and took a deep breath before fi
nishing,
“
like a father.
”

Only silence answered her. She cautiously opened her eyes and found him smiling at her. He slowly rose and held out a hand to help her to her feet. He tucked her hand in the crook of his arm and began to lead her out of the copse, down the path toward the gardens.

“
Are you angry with me, my lord?
”
she asked as they walked.

“
No, my sweet. Some of those things you expect from a father
will certainly be yours as my wife. You will have protection and a strong arm as you achieve your full womanhood. You will have the generosity of my purse, as if you were a favored daugh
ter. You will lend dignity to my name, as you have given your father
’
s name greater worth
while you lived under his roof.
”

He paused on the path crowded by trees and looked down into her eyes.
“
But there will come a time, my love, when the ways of men and women will be ours, and then you must see me as a husband and lover, not as a parent to guide you into your adulthood.
”
He gave her forehead a light kiss.
“
There is time enough for you to adjust yourself to seeing me in a dif
f
erent light. When the time has come, you will have no doubt
--
my affection for you is not fatherly in nature.
”

***

“
Mother will not allow it,
”
Divina shrieked.
“
It is unheard of!
”

Anne stared at her sister in wide-eye wonder. Had she really looked forward to this? Divina had sullenly held her peace until the family had returned to Raedelle, and then the feathers began to fly. Anne had followed Divina up the stairs to the room they had shared all these years, only to watch Divina angrily throw all of her gowns out on the bed to remove them from their common bower.

“
Divina, it was not of my doing. I
’
m sorry you are jealous.
”

“
Jealous? I am not jealous but outraged! What did you do to attract him? What did you promise?
”

“
Nothing,
”
Anne cried.
“
I had never even seen him before.
”

“
He has been about. You have seen him.
”

“
You have seen him, Divina. He has seen you. I have never gone to a tournament before.
”

“
I will not stay here in this room with you another day. You lie! You did something sinful to attract him to you!
”
The door to their bedchamber slowly swung open, and Marcella stood to her full and menacing height, frowning at her daughters.
“
Mother, tell her that you will not allow it, this betrothal. It is not fair.
”

Marcella looked from Divina to Anne, then back to Divina.
“
It is done. The Earl of Ayliffe has requested the hand of your sister and would consider no other.
”

“
But why?
”
Divina wailed.