“Blast it, Alesone! Listen to me!”
“I have listened, much to my regret. To think that I almost…” Heat stormed her cheeks. Damn him! She slapped the wooden handle against his arm when he reached for her again.
He yelped. “Ale—”
“Go away!” She gulped in much-needed air as she scrambled for control. “Until we depart Dair Castle, I expect you to keep your distance.” She tossed the rake and aside stormed toward the exit.
God’s teeth, he’d made a mess of the entire situation. He bolted after her and caught her hand.
Shards of afternoon sunlight illuminated the stable as she fought to break free. “Let me go!”
Aching inside, Thomas drew her against him, wrapped his arms around her when she tried to pull away.
“I despise you,” she hissed, her claim shattering beneath a broken whisper.
“Anger I deserve,” he said, wanting to ease her hurt, and damning the cold words he’d tossed at her hours before. “I was wrong to treat you so. And as for my title, I didna lie to you.”
She arched a skeptical brow.
“As a child I was bestowed the title Earl of Kincaid. When I left the monastery, I sent a missive to my father renouncing my rank and returning the ownership of Conchar Castle.”
Dubious eyes held his. “Without the protection of the monastery or that of your father, why would you abandon your either?”
“Because…” Few knew of his joining the Brotherhood, nor was it a topic he wished to discuss, except she deserved the truth. “What I am about to tell you, you must swear nae to tell anyone.”
Silence.
“Alesone, I will have your vow.”
“I swear it, but know this,” she stated with ice, “I will listen to you, but I doubt whatever you tell me will sway my mind.”
A compromise of sorts. How had he forgotten the warrior he’d first met weeks before? Humbled by this fierce woman who moved him as nay other, Thomas released her hand.
She stepped back and crossed her arms over her chest.
He glanced around. Neither would he talk where anyone could walk in and hear them. “Follow me.” At her hesitation he nodded. “What I tell you must be said in private.”
Alesone gave a curt nod, then followed him to the tack room. The rich scent of leather permeated the air as she stepped inside.
He closed the door.
With an appreciative eye she looked around, noted the gear for the horses hanging on pegs in an orderly manner along the wall. Her gaze wary, she faced him.
“What I have told you about my past is the truth, but… there is more.”
Alesone remained silent.
She wouldna make this easy for him, nor had he expected her to. “As I explained, after Léod’s death I entered the monastery. Brother Nicholai, whom you met, was my tutor.”
“The reason you and he are close.”
He nodded. “He is a very intelligent and observant person. Within but a fortnight, he had discovered my reason for wanting to join the monastery.”
“As penance for your brother’s death?”
“Aye,” he replied.
Her stance relaxed a degree more. “And why you left?”
