He should have known. Well, he was no pawn to be pushed about. To the devil with them both!
Swinging himself up on his horse, Draven waited until Emily had finished her goodbye to Christina.
“You will write as soon as the babe is born?” Emily asked.
“I will, and you’ll have to come see me again.”
Emily cast a glance to him. “I will see what I can do.”
One of Christina’s servants came rushing from the hall with a book. “Milady,” the old woman said to Christina, “You left this in the hall.”
“Oh dear.” Christina took the book from the old woman’s hands. “Thank you, Mildred. I forgot all about it.” Christina handed the book to Emily. “This is for you.”
“For me?” Emily started to open it, but Christina slammed the book shut and shook her head.
“‘Tis for you alone in the privacy of your room.”
“But—"
“Emily,” Christina interrupted with a stressed tone. “‘Tis for you, alone. It concerns the matter we spoke of earlier this morn.”
Emily opened her mouth as Christina’s meaning dawned on her.
Draven exchanged an interested smirk with Simon who shrugged as if he had no idea what the women discussed.
But Draven knew. There was more conspiracy afoot. And he couldn’t wait to lay hands to said book to see exactly what mischief they plotted, for there was little doubt in his mind whom they plotted against.
Christina helped Emily secure the book in her saddlebags. “Godspeed you all.”
Emily touched hands with Christina, then said a goodbye to Orrick.
Once done, she met Draven’s irritated glower. “I am ready, milord. And I thank you for your patience.”
Draven gave a curt nod to Orrick before he kicked his horse forward and led his party through the bailey. At least for the next two days he wouldn’t have to fear being near the lady. The journey would see her on her horse and he on his.
At last, he would have peace.
“What do you mean her horse has gone lame?” Draven snarled, looking at his knight, Arnold.
“You may see for yourself, milord.” His man stood back in order to give him access.
Draven lifted up the back left hoof and saw it. An injured horse?
Was fate itself conspiring against him now?
If he didn’t know better, he’d swear Emily or Simon had something to do with it. But he’d kept his eyes on the lady the whole time and knew for a fact she’d done nothing to harm the horse.
It was merely one of those wretched, awful, gut-wrenching things.
“Very well.” Draven lowered the horse’s hoof. “Remove the saddle and I’ll trust you to bring the horse to Ravenswood at a slow pace to keep from injuring her more.”
“Aye, milord.”
“Simon!” Draven looked at his brother who sat on his horse observing them. “The lady rides with you.”
Emily crossed the short distance that separated them and said in a low voice, “I’ll not ride with him, milord.”
“You’ll do as you are told.”
