“I agree, he would. But you see it is I who would not make him a fine wife. He deserves better. He deserves a woman who would be pleased to do all the things a wife would cherish doing for her husband. Someone akin to your Anne. I fear I’ve no talent for such tasks.”

Donal sat back, aghast at what she’d told him. His brows furrowed. “You devalue yourself, milady. James could care less about such things. I deem he’d be pleased if you accepted him regardless of your lack of wifely talents.”

“He might be pleased, mayhap for a fortnight or two. But what will happen when normal life intercedes? What then? When I’m unable and unwilling to care for his launder and such? It is not that I don’t want to do it, you see, but I have another calling. He’d tire of me quickly, I promise you that.”

Donal firmed his lips. “Aye, I’ve been told about your affinity for weapons. You do realize that not many women can take on the profession and live long? James is given the task to see to your safety. Our king comes and you will leave with him on the morrow regardless of whether you marry or not.”

“Where will we go?” Emlyn tensed. If she caused the Ross’ danger by being there, she wanted to leave at the soonest.

“He will take you to his father’s farmstead and there you will stay until you are bid to return.” Donal rose, he walked around the table with his hands at his side.

Emlyn nodded, but refrained from questioning him.

“I want you to at least promise me you’ll obey and stay with James and hidden until the dangers passes.”

“I agree.”

His eyes and lips scowled, and she was wont to be away. It was as if she was sitting before her father, being reprimanded. And her father had never made her feel so guilty or low. Emlyn felt an apology twitching at her lips, but firmed them to keep her mouth closed.

“Marshall will not desist in his quest to have you, Emlyn. You do understand the peril? If anyone can protect you, James shall.”

“Mayhap I don’t need his protection and can take care of myself.”

Donal laughed boisterously. He used the back of his hands to wipe away his laughter tears. “By God, I am gladdened I am not given the task to see to your safety. I feel sorry for James, for he’s going to be driven daft by a lass like you.”

She shook her head. “I am thankful for his envoy, but verily I wish you men would realize that I am capable of using my sword in my own protection.”

“Adeline,” he bellowed, “Supper may be served now.”

He paid no attention to her words. Dismissed, Emlyn stood and walked to the doorway. She bowed her head to him.

“You are welcome to join us.”

“Thank you, my lord, but I shall find my own supper.” She exited the keep and found James awaiting her outside. He stood next to Colm, who had a grin upon his face.

“What did he say?” James asked.

“You know well what he said.”

James stuck out his forearm, forcing her to stop in front of him. “And did you agree?”

“What do you think? Of course not. I would not do that to you, James.”

Colm snorted with laughter. “Aw, see James she does care for you.”

“Come, I have a surprise for you.” He took hold of her hand and started to lead her away.

Colm made kissy noises and said, “Adeline wouldn’t like hearing about you being alone with milady. Mayhap I’ll tell her.”

James turned, and before Colm moved, he threw his fist at his jaw. Emlyn was impressed. She stood grinning and wished she had thought of doing that.

“Fuck off, Colm.”

Colm bellowed with mirth and walked in the opposite direction.

Emlyn followed James as he led her through the bailey, and beyond the keep.

“Where are we going?” she managed to ask, as her feet hastened to keep up with him. He didn’t slow his pace until they reached a lane lined with cottages.

“You shall see.” He kept walking and stopped in front of a thatched roofed cottage. “Our abode for this night.”

“How did you arrange this?”

“It belongs to Henry.” He opened the door for her.

Emlyn crinkled her eyes for he was so handsome standing there, grinning in his charming way. “Won’t Henry mind giving up his cottage?”

“Nay, he has sentry duty and won’t return until tomorrow eve. Come.” He motioned her inside.

Emlyn ducked under the low threshold and stood transfixed.  “Oh, James, did you do this?”

“Do you like it?” his voice deepened and his eyes remained fastened on her.

“Aye, everything looks … delightful.” She let her gaze take it all in. Throughout the cottage, candles lit the abode in a romantic ambiance. The small table near the hearth was laden with trenchers filled with foodstuffs. Then she spotted the bed and looked back at James.

“Let us eat. I’m starved,” he said, and led her to the table.

She sat in the chair across from him and stared at his hands. He pulled pieces of meat from his trencher and licked his manly lips. Emlyn couldn’t take her eyes off his mouth. His movements were mannerly and yet sexy at the same time.

“Are you not hungry?”

She shook herself. “Everything smells delicious.” If ever that was a truth. As she picked food from the trencher, she tried to think of someway to broach the subject of Donal’s request. She didn’t know how to explain why she’d rejected him without sounding like a shrew.

“You’re being more quiet than usual, Emlyn. What is it you’re worrying about?” James leaned across the table and set a goblet in front of her.

His tanned forearm looked strong, and she closed her eyes for a second. “I was thinking of what Donal bespoke.”

“I know, and you obviously refused.”

“I did. It is not you, but me. I mean to say that I cannot wed you. Does that anger you?”

He continued eating and didn’t appear the least bit disgruntled. “I understand, Emlyn, why you said nay. I am a guardsman and am nowhere near your station. You’re a princess and could verily wed a king or someone akin.”

She shook her head. “My reason is verily the opposite.” She filled her mouth with the tender pieces of goose and chewed, knowing she had to keep her mouth occupied before she said something to offend him.

“Mayhap we both have it in our hearts not to wed. I’ve my duty and nothing will deter me from it, not even my father’s wish for me to take over his farmstead. You’ve your dream of returning home so you can continue to train with your father’s men.”

She nodded and swallowed the food, now wishing she hadn’t put so much in her mouth. “We have this time together and you’re taking me to your father’s farmstead. Are you angered by that?”

He finished eating and sat back. She appreciated the way the fabric tightened across his chest when he folded his arms over it.

“Not at all, lovely. I won’t speak an untruth, for my father and I don’t get along. I have been in his presence but once in twenty years.”

“I’m sorry.”

“For what?” He unfolded his arms and took a drink.

“For making you go there.”

“I had to go eventually, and you need a place to hide. It is the solution to your problem and I had to face my father eventually.”

She took the goblet and drank the sweet wine, taking more sips than she should have. “Is his land afar?”

James shook his head. “A day’s ride. He has a large tract that borders the Gunns’ land. It was gifted to him by Grey’s father.”

“We shall leave on the morrow?” She sighed wishing she didn’t put him in such a position.

“Aye, sometime tomorrow. Grey will have our horses ready and will get your satchel from the keep. But this night is ours, Emlyn, ours to enjoy.” He stood and held out his hand.

Without hesitation she took it.

“I want to be with you, lovely, in a comfortable bed. I want to see your exquisite body. But mostly, I want to see your bonny red hair fanned out on my pillow.”

Emlyn’s breath ceased. His words sent a desirous thrill through her. He began untying his tunic. She reached up with shaking hands. “Let me.” Her fingertips slid over the thick musculature of his chest. “I love touching you.”