Thomas straightened his shoulders. “My decision hasna changed.”
Eyes narrowed, Alesone glanced from one to the other. “What decision?”
God’s teeth!
A quick rap sounded at the door.
Temper simmering, Thomas glanced over.
“Enter,” Nicholai called.
A young monk stepped inside, his face flushed. He nodded to Thomas then Alesone before turning to Nicholai. “The Duke of Westwyck has arrived and requests to speak with you.”
A sharp, driving pain ripped through Thomas’s shoulder as he shoved to his feet. “You sent for my father!”
Alesone fingers dug into his arm. “Sit down, please.”
“My thanks,” Nicholai said with soft words to the younger man. “Tell him I will be down momentarily.”
“Aye.” With a wary glance at Thomas, the monk rushed out, closed the door.
“Why did you tell him that I was here?” Thomas demanded, damning the pounding in his head.
“’Tis time you saw your father,” Nicholai replied without apology. “If nae for you, for him.”
Thomas silently swore. The last thing he wanted was for her to learn about the mire of his past. “Alesone, I wish to speak with Nicholai alone.”
His friend shook his head. “She stays.”
Fury edged through Thomas. Over the last few days the lass had endured more than any woman should. She didna need to be forced to remain or become tangled within his convoluted personal life. “I dinna want—”
“Alesone stays,” Nicholai interrupted. “The king assigned you to be her guard. As long as you are together, ’tis imperative that she is familiar with thesituation.” His nostrils flared. “To toss the lass into the fray without understanding the issue is to leave her unarmed.”
“There is naught to understand. Mistress Alesone willnevermeet my father or any others within my family.” With his father’s loyalty to Comyn, a risk he refused to take.
“The Duke of Westwyck is here. I willna ask him to leave without his first speaking with you. Blast it! Your father has suffered since you left, hurt that broke his heart. As I said before, the time has come to repair the bonds with your family,” Nicholai continued. “As for any topics of concern, they can be easily be avoided.”
“Blast it—” Thomas wrapped his hand around the wooden bedpost as he started to collapse.
Alesone caught his side. “Here, let me help you lie down.”
For a moment he fought her, a shot of pain rewarding his effort. As his dizziness increased, he complied.
“However much you dinna like it,” Nicholai said, “at the moment you have little choice.”
Pained by the truth Thomas grimaced.
“I will be back shortly. Mistress Alesone, ensure that he doesna get up.”
She nodded.
With a warning look, the monk departed.
Flames in the hearth crackled into the silence as Thomas met her troubled gaze. “I never meant to involve you in any of this.”
“I know, but I believe your friend’s decision is wise.”
“You dinna know the situation.” He cursed the ire in his voice, anger nae meant for her.
