No.She had extended the invitation to Kenneth, just as she’d promised.There was no logical reason for Balor to travel here, especially when his own family had denied knowing him.
So whywashe here?He hadn’t changed his mind about becoming one of her suitors, had he?
Her traitorous body grew restless at the thought, even though she knew better than to imagine he could ever be a match for her.
But one way or another, Mairead planned to find Balor and learn exactly why he had come and what he wanted from her.
* * *
After he’d slipped away from the keep, Balor watched over Mairead to ensure she was safe.He hadn’t missed the way Lord Lowell had stared at her.Despite his age, the golden-haired Norman earl was exactly the sort of alliance she should have.He was powerful, wealthy, and an ally of King John’s.
But something about the Norman earl made his fists tighten.Balor told himself it wasn’t jealousy.No, he simplyintended to protect Mairead from any man who tried to push against her boundaries.Or kiss her.
All right, so maybe it was a bit of jealousy.But although the earl might have kissed her hand, Balor took satisfaction in the knowledge thathehad tasted those lips and felt the press of her body against his.
The memory curled within him like the wisp of a breeze—there for a moment, then gone.
He already knew he could never wed a woman like Mairead.A life of royalty was impossible to imagine, for his status was far beneath the dirt under her feet.Kenneth, too, had little chance of winning her hand in marriage.
Balor recognized Lord Lowell as a genuine threat.He was the sort of man who held the king’s respect.The sort who might win her hand in marriage.Maybe even her heart.
Although he had retreated a slight distance, Lowell remained close by, watching over her.
It took an effort, but Balor forced himself to walk away from the woman he would never have.A sudden flicker of motion caught his attention, and Balor turned just in time to see a skinny young lad surrounded by other boys.
‘You don’t even know how to use a blade, Marcas,’ one taunted.‘All you ever do is read.’
‘I like reading.’The boy squared his shoulders and stared back.
‘That’s because you’re too scared to fight,’ another teased.‘You know you’ll lose and start crying.’
The boy’s posture tensed, and in that moment, it reminded Balor of his younger brother.It didn’t matter that this wasn’t his fight.Quietly, he took a few steps forward until he stood behind Marcas.The boy appeared unaware of his presence, and Balor unsheathed his blade, holding it firmly as he watched the other boys.The moment theysaw him standing there, they stopped their teasing and appeared uncomfortable.
‘Come on,’ the first said.‘There’s food near the kitchens.I’m hungry.’
The other two followed him, and the boy’s shoulders slumped in relief.But the moment Marcas turned and saw Balor, he let out a yelp.
‘I didn’t see you there,’ the boy apologized.
Balor shrugged.He was about to turn away when Marcas suddenly touched his arm.‘Wait.You were the reason they didn’t try to fight me.’
‘I was.’Balor sheathed his weapon and raised his hood, hoping that no one had witnessed the interaction.He’d followed Kenneth and Fergus here, but he didn’t need them to be aware of his presence.
‘I owe you a debt,’ the boy said seriously.He straightened and asked, ‘Are you here to court Lady Mairead?’
Balor didn’t know quite how to answer that, so he said, ‘I’m here to ensure that no one harms her.’
The boy stared at him as if making a decision.‘So, you don’t want to marry her?’
He thought about lying and saying he didn’t want to, but it seemed better to tell Marcas the truth.‘It doesn’t matter what I might want.She wouldn’t look twice at someone like me,’ he answered.
‘But if youdidlike her, would you—’
‘I wouldn’t waste her time.’He cut off the boy and continued, ‘I’m not a wealthy nobleman like the others here.’
Marcas’s brown furrowed.‘Then how can I repay my debt to you?’
‘You owe me nothing.’He was about to walk away, but the boy stepped in and interrupted.
