The Redeeming by Tamara Leigh Read Free Book Online

had been minutes earlier, she felt the heat of guilt.
    “You are well, Sister?”
    She smoothed her hands down her skirts. “I was…thinking.” She winced at how feeble her words sounded. “You wish to speak with me?”
    He inclined his head. “I did not expect to find you absent from your chamber.”
    She knew she should not take offense, but her words were chill. “As I am permitted the chapel, one of the few places I am allowed outside of my chamber, I sought prayer there.”
    Regret replaced the concern on his brow. “Of course.”
    “Of what do you wish to speak to me?”
    When he gestured for her to precede him, she stepped past him into her chamber and turned.
    Everard settled in the doorway. “I received word from Garr late last eve. He will arrive three days hence to escort you to Stern Castle for Beatrix’s wedding.”
    Three days. “For what purpose when our sister’s vows are not to be spoken for more than a sennight?”
    “That you might have time with her and our mother ere—”
    “I am sacrificed.” How she hated the self-pity that dripped from her voice, but it would not be contained. “That I might celebrate my sister’s good fortune in wedding a man of her choice. An honorable man. A man she loves.”
    Everard stepped forward and laid a hand on her shoulder. “Gaenor, you know what happened at Beatrix’s trial, that Christian Lavonne—”
    “I know. Thus, I do not need to hear again that the baron is unlike his father or brother. He is honorable. He will make a good husband. All these things I know.”
    He dropped his hand from her. “You do not know, but if ever you have trusted me, do so again. Upon my word, the match with Baron Lavonne is a good one. Indeed, ‘tis fair possible you will come to care for him, mayhap even love him as Beatrix loves Michael D’Arci.”
    She wanted to believe him. “You say all this, and yet you know him no better than I.”
    He looked away. To compose an anger to which he was unaccustomed? Had she pushed him so far? “I trust Garr’s judgment.” He returned his gaze to her. “I but ask that you do so as well.”
    “If not that there is a motive for this marriage, I might, but one must not forget how highly peace is valued by the Wulfriths. Thus, peace they will have, no matter the price.”
    A muscle in his jaw worked. “You are wrong. These past months, we did not risk all by defying the king that we might surrender you up to a beast, Gaenor. I tell you, Lavonne has proved himself.”
    Like Garr, he had set his mind to the union of Wulfrith and Lavonne. He might be the most contemplative of her three brothers, and, on matters of import, his opinion was often sought, but there was no comfort in his assurance.
    Gaenor crossed to the window. A glance at the meadow before the wood showed it was empty. Wishing Abel and Sir Matthew practiced at swords amid dewed grass that sparkled in the light of the new day’s sun, she sighed.
    “Is there anything you require, Gaenor?”
    “Apart from the obvious? Nay.”
    “Then I shall send word to our brother that you will be prepared to depart Wulfen three days hence.”
    “The messenger has not returned to Stern?”
    “Nay, he leaves within the hour.”
    She turned back to Everard. “There is something I require.”
    As if pleased that he might provide her with some small pleasure, he smiled. “What would you have me deliver you?”
    “A sennight. Send word to Garr that you will escort me to Stern Castle a sennight hence.”
    Gaenor did not think she had ever glimpsed such confusion on his face. An instant later, it was reduced to a frown. “I thought you would be eager to return home.”
    “Eager if it were yet my home, but ‘tis a temporary stay. Will you grant me this, Everard?”
    “I shall.” His uncharacteristic lack of contemplation surprised her. “Garr will have word this day.”
    And be displeased, as would be her mother and Beatrix. “I thank you.”
    Once more left her to her