Heart pounding, she fought for calm, unsure what to say, or if she should admit her feelings for Aiden. She gave a shaky nod. “Aye.”
“Ask him about his past.”
Gwendolyn frowned.“As a Templar?”
“Nay, about his family.”
So caught up in the mayhem since Aiden’s arrival, the English seizing the castle, and their escape, she hadn’t inquired about his youth. “What about them?”
“’Tis his story to share, but one you need to know before he departs.”
A tremor ripped through her, and coldness wrapped around her heart. “Why are you telling me this?”
“Because you are important to him, more thanhe will admit.”
She stilled. “Why wouldyou say that?”
“Because I see the way you stare at him when you believe others are not looking.” He paused. “And the way he watches you.”
She forced herself to smile, to ignore the slash of hurt. “You are mistaken. I am naught but a duty. A point he has madeveryclear.”
A muscle worked in Cailin’s jaw. “You are wrong.”
Hope ignited, but she smothered the feeling. But the mystery of Aiden’s past left her curious. What could have occurred to make Cailin believe ’twould change what was betweenher and Aiden?
“If he cares for me,” Gwendolyn said, “why has he kept his distance since we departed KingRobert’s camp?”
“Because he promised to give you your life back.”
She frowned. “That doesna make sense. Aiden explained that the Brotherhood was everything to him, a life he will never relinquish for anyone,including me.”
“If you want him,” he said, his voice cool, “ask him about his family. I pray he tells you, helps you understand all he has overcome, the demons he battles to this day, the torment that began before he joined the Brotherhood.” He stood. “I have said enough.” With a curt nod,he walked away.
Confused, she watched him head down the steep slope. She scanned the bank in search of Aiden. In the distance, he stood alongside another man in deep discussion.
What had happened in his youth that had caused him such torment? If she learned what had happened, would things indeed change between them, as Cailin believed?
Did she want them to?
With a sigh, she glanced toward the castle, the home she loved, and for the first time, seeing the stronghold evoked a sense of emptiness.
Chapter 17
The deep purples of night, devoid of any hint of the oncoming day, infused the heavens, the sliver of moon but a faint whisper in the sky. From the ridge, Aiden peered between the bushes, pleased the sea fog, illuminated by the soft brush of starlight, had begunmoving inland.
He smiled as the dense layer of white edged up the shore, engulfed all within its path until naught was visible except the torchlight uponthe wall walk.
Time was on his side. He would wait a few more hours to allow the fog to creep farther onshore before he moved his meninto position.
At the clatter of rock to his right, Aiden clasped his blade and peered through the fog.“Who is there?”
“’Tis Gwendolyn.”
His body tightened at the throaty slide of her voice. She materialized from the mist, a maiden who drove him mad with desire. His hand relaxed as a new battle built inside. Sheathing his weapon, he fought to smother the ache in his heart at her nearness.
A warm rush filled him as she moved closer.
“Why are you here without a guard?” he snapped as he scoured their surroundings. Distance between them ’twas for the best for her, if not for his own renegade heart. More time together would do naught but strengthen a bond he’dsworn to sever.
