Chapter 15 #2
Their arrival had put Moiré off somewhat, but then his cousin had always been somewhat reticent. Especially when it came to other women. Faye had been considerate to Ewan’s cousin, though, and often made time to spend with Moiré.
“I hear ye’re Captain of the Guard at Werrick Castle on the English side of the border,” Ewan said.
Drake’s chest filled with apparent pride. “Aye, I’ve been fortunate to be in such a secure position.”
“I also hear ye’re a fine warrior.”
“I try, sir,” Drake said earnestly.
It was a curious thing to compare this man with his jubilant sisters. But then, from what Ewan had gathered in his conversations with Faye’s family, Drake had been their primary provider. Responsibility tempered a man’s senses and put his mind to task.
Such men also did not have the liberty to spend large amounts of time away from their duties.
“I presume ye must return to Werrick Castle posthaste,” Ewan surmised.
“Aye.”
Exactly as Ewan had anticipated. He would need to address the land with Drake immediately.
“I should like to speak with ye once ye’ve settled,” Ewan said. “Faye can show ye to yer room. I’ll be in my solar.”
Faye’s eyes met Ewan’s, and she nodded. But her gaze lingered. A jolt of energy raced through him. Was she considering him with interest? Or out of concern?
He roughly shoved aside the thoughts. He’d spent days analyzing every look, every smile, every damn word. It made his brain ache with how much he tried to determine what her decision might be.
Faye waved over Moiré and introduced Drake.
It was the perfect opportunity for Ewan to depart.
He could not be near Faye without imagining her soon gone.
No sweet smiles in his direction, a cold side of the bed where she once lay tucked in his arms, the absence of her floral scent in the air of his chamber.
He would miss everything, and each little reminder tore at his chest.
It was maddening, this inability to stay away even as it hurt too much to be near her.
He was not in his solar long before a knock came from the door, so efficient and crisp that he knew it would be Drake before the man appeared.
Faye’s brother stepped into the room; his footsteps clipped. He didn’t gaze around Ewan’s solar as most did. But then, the few bits of furniture and simple tapestries were hardly impressive to a man who came from an English castle, which was rumored to be far more ostentatious.
“Ye’ve cared well for my sister,” Drake said. “I dinna know what I’d find when I arrived and was grateful to see her safe. Thank ye.”
“I’m afraid it wasna enough,” Ewan said candidly. While he would not tell Cait about why Faye had decided to wed him, he knew Drake would need to be informed.
“What do ye mean?” Drake’s brows immediately pinched with concern, and his shoulders squared.
Ewan indicated the chair, and the other man lowered himself to the seat.
“Ross said if Faye dinna wed me, he would force one of her sisters,” Ewan replied.
He’d prepared for this moment, an opportunity to keep Faye’s sisters safe.
While he tried to reassure her Ross wouldn’t find out, he couldn’t be entirely certain what the other chieftain might do, and if Faye left, Ewan would be too far away to provide protection.
“While I wouldna wed them in a similar condition, there are other clan chieftains who would readily agree.”
Drake’s lips thinned. “That’s how he convinced her to marry ye.”
“Aye.” Ewan pulled the parchment from the desk drawer. “I dinna want her to do it, but I had no choice.”
“Faye has her own mind,” Drake replied.
Ewan chuckled. “Aye, she does that. But I wouldna put it past Ross to still try to get to yer sisters, especially Clara.”
Drake drew in a deep inhale. “She’s a good soul. Mayhap too good. I’ll ensure no harm comes to anyone in my family.”
Some of the weight eased from Ewan’s shoulders at Drake’s ardent reply. Faye and her family would be safe.
“There’s more.” Ewan untied the parchment and unrolled it. The remainder of the information had been completed, with Drake’s name where Ross had expected his to be.
Drake’s gaze lowered to the desk.
Ewan explained how the agreement to wed Faye had included giving Berwick to the Ross clan. “I dinna trust yer grandda,” he said in conclusion. “But from everything I know of yer family, I trust ye and have deeded the land no’ to yer grandda, but to ye.”
Drake’s focus snapped up to Ewan. “Me?”
“It will be safe in yer hands,” Ewan replied.
Drake stared at the document, not speaking. Finally, he cleared his throat and nodded. “Thank ye.”
“I know ye must prepare for yer return trip to Werrick,” Ewan said, offering the man an excuse to depart should he want it.
“Aye. Now that I know Faye is safe.” Drake stood and locked forearms with Ewan before leaving the room.
An emptiness filled Ewan upon Drake’s departure. Berwick had been a pressing concern; one Ewan had wanted resolved prior to Faye’s departure. Now he need only receive her answer, however much that filled him with dread.