“She is, but we dinna choose who we are born to. I would be a fool to judge a person by such.”
“I didna know—” Thomas blew out a rough breath. “I wasna sure what to think if you discovered that I…”
“Cared for her?”
“Aye.”
His father laid his callused hand on Thomas’s shoulder, the weight bringing comfort. “I am honored that you would trust me with such a confidence. If you are asking my opinion, ’tis simple. Any man would be proud to have Mistress Alesone in his life.”
“I agree,” Thomas said, “but ’tis a choice I canna ponder. I must rejoin our king when he confronts Comyn, nor can I assure her I will return.”
“I understand your concern, one each man who fights for Robert the Bruce shares. Sadly, many Scots will die before our country is united.” He paused. “I remember how your mother would fret when I prepared for battle. Is the lass distraught because she is afraid for you?”
Thomas shrugged. “I didna allow the discussion to go that far.”
Shrewd eyes studied him. “I thought Alesone was important to you?”
“She is.”
“You are an earl, you can—”
“She doesna know.” Frustrated, he leaned back.
“Why?”
The quiet warning had Thomas stiffening. “Because my title isna significant in what exists between her and I.”
“But you care about her?”
“Aye,” he said through clenched teeth.
“And you prove that by shielding secrets from the lass?”
“My nobility never came up.”
“A fact,” the duke stated, “I am confident that you ensured.”
“Nor is how much I care for her relevant. Once I deliver her to Avalon Castle, I will never see her again.”
His father grunted. “If you leave her without admitting what you feel for her, ’twill be a decision you will regret for the rest of your life.”
Blast it! “You dinna know how I feel!” Thomas rubbed his forehead. “I apologize, you dinna deserve my anger.”
“True. But what youdeserveis to find a woman who loves you, one whom you love in return.”
“She couldna love me. We have known each other but a short while.”
“You care for her. Do you believe you could feel more?”
He shrugged. “It matters little,” he said, his voice somber. “For the reasons I stated, naught can exist between us.”
“Thomas, we are only given one life. None of us know if we will die on the morrow, within a fortnight, or years from now. Dinna throw away happiness you might never find again.” He paused. “Your mother and I didna have the luxury of knowing if we would have tomorrow. Neither do you.”
So caught up in thoughts of duty, the Templars, and his service to the king, he hadna considered such.
“If you feel strongly for the lass,” the duke said, “I wouldna wait too long to tell her. Those living beneath Comyn’s control may have avoided Alesone due to fearing her father’s anger. Removed from his tyranny, and once she has escaped marrying King Philip’s noble, a beautiful woman like her willna want for suitors.”
He frowned. With him healing in his chamber and her in the great room while she broke her fast, nay doubt many men had studied her with more than a passing interest. “I thank you for your advice.”
