Gar smiled weakly. “I was young those years ago, my lord,” he said. “I apologize that I did not recognize you on sight. But I am hoping you can assist me before we proceed further.”
By this time, Troy was looking at him with great curiosity. He was afraid that Gar had another end game in mind, but Reece didn’t know that. He nodded to Gar’s question.
“If I can,” he said. “What is it you require?”
Gar pointed to himself. “I have just come from a series of battles on the Scots border that has seen my garrison in the center of it,” he said. “When you sent word to my father about executing the marital contract, I had very little time to do much more than get on my horse and come. As you can see, and possibly smell, I’ve not had the opportunity to bathe or clean up as I had hoped. We simply came as soon as you summoned us. I am ashamed that you should see me in such condition, but such is the life of a fighting man. I do not wish to risk offending your daughter, so I am hoping you can provide me with a place to wash so that I might be presentable.”
As Troy fought off a smile, one of both relief and approval, Reece was more than willing to help Gar in his time of need.
“It would be my pleasure,” he said. “I have heard about the trouble you are facing on the border. I am glad to see that you have survived without injury.”
Gar nodded. “It was not for the lack of trying on the part of the Scots,” he said. “The entire de Wolfe family on the western end of the border has been caught up in it. I was only able to come to Hensingham because my uncles and brothers and cousins are manning my post until such time as I can return, butas you can imagine, the fight has been… intense. I am afraid I am still in battle mindset most of the time.”
There was appreciation in Reece’s eyes as he sized up Gar, whom he only remembered as a younger man from several years ago. The Gar he knew then had grown up and out and was a tall, muscular specimen of a knight. He would be one hell of a son-in-law, one a man could be proud of.
He put a hand on Gar’s shoulder.
“You needn’t apologize,” he said. “I understand completely. My son, Maksim, is around here somewhere. Let me summon him and he can help you in your moment of need. I am afraid, however, that my wife and daughter are quite aware of your arrival and…”
He was too late. Women were suddenly appearing at the gatehouse and Gar found himself looking at an older, handsome woman with smooth skin and impeccable clothing. She smiled at him and he acknowledged her with a bob of his head, startled by her appearance, but he was even more startled by what was standing next to her.
Whowas standing next to her.
His breath caught in his throat.
A petite young woman with long, wavy brown hair was clad in a dark yellow silk that was studded with tiny pearls. The neckline of the garment was slightly off the shoulders, exposing an exquisite neck and décolletage. She was wearing jewels, but tastefully so, and her face… Gar got to her face and he had to do a double take. It was the girl from those years ago—he recognized her eyes. Like liquid copper. They were a color he’d never seen before, but those eyes were now set in a face that had matured over the past few years into something refined and magnificent. She had wide cheekbones, an upturned nose, and kissable lips that were a faint shade of pink. The entire picture was something he’d never expected and, quite honestly, morebeautiful than anything he’d ever seen in his life. Before he could speak, however, Reece piped up.
“Julia, my dear,” he said to the older woman. “Please take Mattie to the great hall. We will join you there.”
He was practically manhandling the woman, trying to force her to turn around, but she wasn’t cooperating. In fact, she batted his hands away.
“No need,” she said. “We are here now. We knew Lord Braemoor and his son were arriving and wished to greet him as soon as he entered the gatehouse. My lord, we are honored to receive you.”
She was speaking to Troy, who held the title Lord Braemoor. “Lady Hensingham,” Troy said, dipping his head in greeting. “The honor is ours. We are looking forward to this visit and this union.”
All eyes shifted to Gar, standing filthy and slovenly next to his father. Gar felt the horror of the women as they looked upon them and, for the first time since the journey to Hensingham started, he felt somewhat embarrassed by the state he’d let himself enter. But he was saved from speaking when Maksim suddenly appeared. The eldest, and only, de Reyne son took one look at Gar and went to him, putting his arms around him in a decidedly brotherly gesture.
“Gar!” Maksim exclaimed. “You wild beast, it is good to see you. Welcome to Hensingham!”
Gar hadn’t seen Maksim in at least a couple of years, not since they’d run into one another in London while Gar had been there on business for his grandfather. Both he and Andreas had been in London and Andreas had taken him to an underground guild called Gomorrah. It was a place lodged in the vaults of a ruined church on the outskirts of London, one that was known for its entertainment and fine food. But it was very exclusive, because one could have any kind of entertainment one wishedfor, up to and including sexual pleasure, so it wasn’t spoken of in the open. Therefore, Gar didn’t acknowledge that it was where he’d last seen Maksim. Orwhomhe’d seem Maksim with.
He didn’t think the man’s mother would approve.
“Maks,” Gar said, smiling. “It is quite agreeable to see you. How have you been?”
Maksim was slapping him on the shoulders. “Well, lad, well,” he said. But then, he began to get a whiff of Gar and how badly he smelled and his face screwed up in distaste. “God’s Bones, Gar. You smell like a bloody compost heap. Are there no baths in Northumberland?”
Gar cleared his throat uncomfortably, knowing that his betrothed was hearing the conversation. “I have been in the midst of battles for the past few weeks,” he said. “When we received your father’s missive, I did not have time to change my clothing. I simply came.”
“Now that he is here, it would be good of you to help him clean up so that he will not offend the women,” Reece said, lifting his eyebrows as his son looked at him so he could silently hint that Maksim’s assistance was desperately needed. “Take him to the knights’ quarters and find the man some soap and water. I am certain that Mattie will not mind waiting.”
No one even looked at Mattie to get her opinion or permission. They all knew what she was thinking. If she had a nose that worked, she could smell Gar the way everyone else could. She’d have to be dead not to. Therefore, Maksim grabbed Gar and practically yanked the man through the gatehouse, heading for the knights’ quarters on the southern end of the long, rectangular bailey. The moment they began to move, however, Winchester the dog, who had followed his mistress outside, seemed to think that it was a battle and he, too, went into battle mode.
The long-legged mutt charged.
As Gar was half pulled, half escorted into the bailey, Winchester ran up behind him and, with a growl, grabbed part of Gar’s boot. He didn’t pierce Gar’s skin, but he had hold of the man’s boot and was furiously trying to tug at it. Gar looked at the dog with annoyance as Maksim tried to shoo the dog away. Winchester, however, wouldn’t be deterred.
“Matilda?” Maksim called to his sister. “Come and retrieve your vermin-ridden canine!”
