Heat stroked her face, adding to her bedevilment. And now, a king’s dictate had tossed his life, like hers, into chaos.
Guilt at his unselfishness collided withlingering hurt.
After they had wed, he could have brought her to his tent and taken her. Instead, he’d lefther untouched.
The words of agreement to his bargain lingeredon her tongue.
As if sensing her confusion, Aiden nodded. “You have time to decide. Once Latharn Castle is seized, I will ask you again. I brought you here so we could have privacy for me to explainmy intention.”
Her pulse racing, she stared at him as the rumble of water echoed in the fading light. “Why are you doing this?”
“I explained.”
“You did, but ’tis odd that at a time when women are rarely given any choice, you would sacrifice not only the intimacy of marriage, but a castle, along with any chance for an heir.”
A muscle worked in his jaw. “I am aman of honor.”
Indeed, he had more integrity than any man she’d ever met. So why did she not accept his offer? ’Twas not as if she wanted this marriage, or that he held a place within her heart. Still, she hesitated. Though his decency was a strong reason for his proposal, something didnot make sense.
“Aye, you are a man of honor,” she agreed, “but there is more behind your offer than mere dutyto your king.”
Green eyes narrowed, assuring her that she had the right of it.
For a moment, Gwendolyn thought he would walk away. When Aiden continued to stare at her, she stepped closer. “Whatever that reason is, ’tis causing you great distress.”
Body tense,he turned away.
Undeterred, Gwendolyn stepped beside him, waited.
The rumble of water sliding past filled the silence as the waning light sifted through the leaves, laying a mottled pattern across his broad shoulders.
Despite all that had happened between them, she couldn’t resist the genuine concern that something had left him in such anguish. She lay her hand upon his arm. “Let me help you.”
Aiden’s throat worked as his fingers unfurled, his hands lying limp at his sides. “Naught can be done. The time to repair the horrendous injustice has longsince passed.”
Mary’s will, what had happened to have caused him such despair? “Why not?”
“Because a life I and many others loved, one chosen to serveHim,has been lost.”
Air rushed out in a gasp as the pieces fell into place, explained his chivalry, why he had fought to keep his distance from her, and his offer of moments before. Yet his actions did not explain the heat of his kiss. Or did it?
“I-I am so sorry,” she breathed.
“You have done naught wrong,” he growled.
“But I have, I pushed you… Then, I didna know.” She shook her head. “Forgive me.”
“For what?”
Gwendolyn stared at him, swallowed hard. “I didna know you had intended to become a priest.”
Chapter 15
The scent of water and moss filled the air as Aiden blinked in confusion at Gwendolyn standing before him a pace away. Disgusted with himself for doing such a poor job of explaining, he shook his head. “I am not wanting to become a priest.”
She frowned. “But you said a life to serveHimhad been lost.”
God’s sword, how had his explanation become so tangled? She deserved the truth of his past. At least, what he could share. “I will tell you, but first you must swear totell nay one.”
