“Nay,” Colyne replied with complete honestly. Besides herbetrothal, she didna trust him enough to tell him the secret she hid, both solid reasons why he should let her go. “But I care too much about Alesia to forget her.”
“From one friend to another, all I ask is that you weigh your future decisions in her regard with care before you act. I would nae wish to see either of you hurt.”
“What news have you learned?” Colyne asked, changing the subject, understanding Robert’s concern.
“I have received word that three ships are moored at the pier, one of them the Kincaid. Your friend, Lord Thomas Kirketon, Earl of Logan, is the captain.”
Relief swept him. “Which will be my transport to France.” Once his childhood friend learned of his destination, along with the reason, he would offer him passage.
“He is planning to sail to Portugal on the morning tide.”
An urgent pull flooded Colyne. “Then I shall leave for the docks immediately.”
“What of Lady Alesia?”
“I ask that you keep her in your care until you can secure passage for her to sail to France. I refuse to subject a lady to the Kincaid. Though Logan sails for profit, we both know that more often than nae, he and his men scour the seas to relieve the English ships of supplies meant for their troops.”
Robert nodded. “I am pleased Logan’s loyalties lie with the Scots. With regards to Alesia, I will ensure she is kept safe.”
With the time to leave her having arrived, he found himself far from ready to depart. “My thanks for watching over her.” Sadness lurked in his friend’s eyes, and Colyne understood. He placed his hand on the bishop’s shoulder. “My heart is heavy at the loss of Douglas. I still grieve.”
“He is in God’s hands, a thought that offers me great comfort.” Robert released a sad sigh. “Take care, my friend. May God bless your path and see you safe.”
“And you as well.” Silence embraced Colyne as he descended the steps to the cellar, the musty air thick and rich with the aromas of age and earth. He moved behind the stairs and opened the door.
“Who goes there?”
The rich softness of Alesia’s voice ignited a need for her that far exceeded the physical. He frowned. Alesia had made it clear shedidna want him to speak with her father. Should he respect her wishes and, when he left, never see her again?
Could he?
“ ’Tis Colyne.” He entered. Need slammed him as he saw her sitting on the bed. Embraced in the glow of several candles, Alesia radiated beauty. Everything he wanted in a woman.
And more.
Colyne closed the door with a steadying breath. “A ship is in port and preparing to sail on the morrow. I must go.”
Panic flashed in her eyes and then shifted to hope as she stood. Her shoulders relaxed. “We are leaving?”
His heart ached at their parting, at the possibility that he might never see her again.
Then he thought of her betrothed.
A man she’d vowed to wed but didna love.
When he spoke with her father, could he convince the powerful lord to release Alesia from an unhappy future? And if her father agreed, he would expect Colyne to offer for her hand.
He tensed. As daunting as the thought of again trusting his heart, he acknowledged that she had awakened sensations he’d never believed possible.
But did they equal love?
Before he met with her father he would be sure. “The vessel is nae designed for comfort but speed.”
A relieved smile touched her mouth as she reached for her cloak. “Comfort matters not.”
“I am going alone,” he stated. “ ’Tis too risky to take you along.”
She pulled on her cloak. “As if we have not already faced more than our share of dangers?”
