Chapter 28
R iding into Crimson Hollow, they agreed to head first to Liana’s cottage, which lay on the way to Ellsworth Castle. As when they had left, darkness had already fallen. It was colder now, and though snow lay on the ground, it was but a dusting and did not impede their pace.
“I wish to see her very much,” Liana said. “But I am also worried about what she will say.”
It was a conversation they’d had many times on the road home. Though Liana’s vision had never become clearer, she knew it would affect both of them. After he told her that, aye, he wished to know all of what she saw, the runes had not cooperated. Liana suspected he wanted to share her burden even though he denied that was the only reason. Still, she knew as little now as they had the night before they’d left Castle Blackwood.
They dismounted, Liana unable to wait any longer. “Go,” Darien said as she ran into the cottage. Tossing open the door, unsure what to expect after the fog of dread that had begun to envelop her each day as they got closer to home, Liana spotted her mother rising from her seat in front of the fire.
That she did not appear surprised told Liana her mother had likely foretold her coming. Tossing herself into the arms of the woman who raised and protected her, Liana began to cry. She could not stop, words eluding her.
“Mother,” she said. “There is so much I must tell you.”
A familiar hand pushed down Liana’s hood and stroked her hair, as if she were still a child. “I know, my love. And much that I must tell you as well.”
Liana could not stall. The words tumbled from her mouth. “Henry will be king. ’Tis the reason you did not see the empress as queen, but neither was her cause lost.”
“I have heard as much,” her mother said. “And am proud of you, my daughter. Your gift is strong and your will is even stronger.”
Liana pulled back. “I am sorry for leaving you. But I feared you would have me stay. I had to accompany him. Had to crystallize my vision. And Darien—” She stopped then, realizing they had an audience. “We are...Mother, Darien and I?—”
“I know,” she said.
“You saw it?” she guessed as Darien moved closer to them.
“I saw it, and much more.”
“I am certain you do not approve,” she rushed to add. “But ’tis an honor, truly, and we have thought much about how I might continue to serve Darien as his seer and?—”
It was the way her mother looked at Liana’s future husband that clarified the fog for her. She’d been so worried about her mother’s reaction, her potential resistance to the idea of Darien and Liana being together and forced to reveal the Fletcher women’s secrets, she had neglected to see what had been right in front of her.
No, please, no.
It could not be.
“I am sorry to tell you,” her mother said, letting Liana go and confirming her fear. “That your father passed while you were away.”
It was Darien’s father she had seen. The earl was dead.
He looked at Liana’s mother, as if assessing the truth of her words, and asked simply. “How?”
“Peacefully, in his sleep, my lord.”
Darien closed his eyes. Liana went to him then, not caring if she would be a countess and should restrain herself. None were about except for her mother, and Liana wished to comfort him. Darien took her in his arms, and held Liana so tightly, she thought he might never let her go.
“I am so sorry,” she said, over and over. “I am sorry you were not able to say goodbye to him.”
“I did,” he murmured. “I told him that I loved him. Mayhap some part of me knew...” He pulled back. “It was my father you saw?”
“Aye, though I did not know as much.”
He pulled back, but took her hand, turning to Liana’s mother. “Did you foresee his death?”
Her mother shook her head. “In the same way, I suspect, that Liana did. My vision was hazy, likely to protect my heart, as Liana’s vision protected yours. My ancestors believe, when it comes to those we love most, there is a part of us that does not wish to know, and never can see.”
Liana’s mouth dropped open. “You never told me that.”
Her mother was unapologetic. “I am telling you now,” she said. “If I told you all I knew, you’d have no need of me.” Her mother sighed. “But your time has come, daughter. It is you who will advise the new earl. I did see, the day after you left, that your paths crossed in a way that could only mean...” She waved her hand at them both. “This. I could not believe it at first. But I see that the runes proved true.” She smiled.
“I missed his burial?” Darien said, his voice cracking.
“It was a simple one,” Liana’s mother said. “’Twas agreed that when you returned, you might like to hold a burial ceremony.”
“Aye.” Darien cleared his throat. “I would indeed. Thank you,” he continued. “For your service to my father. I would also ask for your blessing to take your daughter as my wife. You may consider the matter?—”
“You do not need my blessing, my lord. You are the earl of Ellsworth, and I am but?—”
“The mother of the woman I love. So aye, I do need your blessing and would very much like to have it.”
Liana held her breath as the most private woman she’d ever known decided whether or not to offer her blessing to allow Liana the most public of all positions on Ely.
Her response was . . . odd. Liana’s mother smiled.
“The night your father returned here, the last time I would see him, to ask if the rumors at Wallingford were true, I told him all I knew. That my daughter had been right to question me and accompany you to Castle Blackwood. But I told him also of the relationship between you.”
“You did?” Liana squeezed Darien’s hand even tighter.
“What did he say?” he asked.
“He was quiet, for a moment. And muttered something about an alliance. And then said—I wish to get the words correct—‘My son has always done as he pleases, and though I may not admit as much to him, his instincts are always correct. If he is with your daughter in that way, I can only assume it is because they are in love, and I wish no more for him than the safety of his position, the care of his people, and the love of a woman he holds in high esteem.’ It pleased him, as it pleased me, even knowing such an action comes with some measure of danger.”
“Thank you,” Darien said. “Both for telling me of his blessing, one he was not able to give me himself, and for your own, if you can give it.”
“I do, my lord. Though I am sorry your father is not here to tell you the same himself.”
Liana looked up at him, wishing she could have somehow shielded him from the pain he was enduring. But, she supposed, it was not her duty to shield his pain but to find moments of pleasure to counterbalance them.
Their lives would provide both, of that she was certain. But Liana was just as certain, she and Darien would navigate all of it, together.