As it trickles down on thee?”
What was he doing to the both of them? How could he be so cruel to her? He had told Lady Annalise earlier how he felt when his mother had walked away from him. Could he truly do the same to this woman? All he wanted was her happiness, not even a bit for himself, only for her.
Lady Freya played a complete phrase before her eyes settled upon him alone again. The rest of the room disappeared from his vision. In that moment, only the two of them existed, and both their hearts were breaking, for they, like Lord Thomas and Fair Ellender had no future.
He took the Brown Girl by the hand
And led her across the hall.
He took off his sword and cut off her head
And threw it against the wall.
Oh, Mother, oh Mother, go dig my grave;
Go dig it both wide and deep,
And place Fair Ellender in my arms
And the Brown Girl at my feet.
Her voice and the song drew Aaran in, like a moth to a flame. He wished to hold Lady Freya’s hand and profess his devotion. Dare he proclaim his love and set the wheels of no return in motion? Would marrying Sir Patrick be the end of Lady Freya’s life? The end of his also?
He placed his sword against the wall
The point against his breast,
Saying, “This is the end of three poor lovers
God, take us all to rest.”
They buried Ellender in the old churchyard;
They buried Lord Thomas beside her.
Lady Freya’s voice was steady, but sad, as she finished the last two verses. It was as if she had accepted what could not be changed, and the idea broke Aaran’s heart.
Out of his grave grew a red, red rose,
And out of hers a briar.
They grew and grew up the old church wall
Till they could grow no higher,
And at the top twined a lover’s knot
The red rose and the briar.
While the others offered the applause and praise, Aaran was slow to rise, pretending his twisted leg had fallen numb. Though Lady Freya thanked all for their accolades, she appeared asmiserable as was he, and everything he had thought of her was turned upon its head once again.
Chapter Fifteen
He and hisbrothers, along with Duncan and Hartley and Kepper, spent much of the day together, while his brothers’ wives and Lady Freya, as well as a half dozen servants prepared the dower house for Lord and Lady Thompson’s wedding night. Miss Whitchurch would spend the night before the wedding in the dower house, away from her betrothed, and likely away from temptation on both the bride’s and groom’s part, and Thursday morning, she would travel to the church in her decorated carriage. Tomorrow, she would return to Thom Manor as Lady Thompson, Benjamin’s countess. After the wedding breakfast, they would retreat to the dower house to consummate their marriage.
“Are you prepared for tomorrow?” Aaran asked once he and Benjamin were alone.
“Absolutely,” his brother declared. “I have been counting off the days since the beginning of the new year. Tomorrow cannot come too quickly as far as I am concerned.”
