Chapter Ten
Luke took the stairs two at a time, excited to see Lord Tristan again. His side throbbed, but he would recover. He wanted to speak to Lord Tristan about Nessa and ask him for her hand in marriage. He had never felt this way about anyone before. His heart swelled just at the thought of her, of seeing her, of holding her and kissing her. He imagined life with Nessa at his side and couldn’t stop smiling. He knew now that he loved her and would do anything for her. After checking in on Lord Tristan, he would visit the physician and, hopefully, see Nessa there. As he approached the solar, he heard voices from the open door and slowed his step. One was Nessa, he was certain. His heart leapt and joy filled him at the prospect of seeing her again.
“I would find another match for her. What say you, Nessa? Will you marry Luke?”
Lord Tristan had the same thought as he! Luke knew it was meant to be, but he was surprised to find himself holding his breath in anticipation. Finally came Nessa’s response.
“I don’t love Luke, Father.”
Luke’s joy burst like a bubble. Stunned, he couldn’t move. He couldn’t breathe. All his excitement vanished. It felt like he was falling down stairs, plummeting. She didn’t love him. He had been ready to pledge himself to her. She didn’t want him. She didn’t love him. Just like his father. And why should she love him? He was worthless. Wasn’t that what his father told him? And he had been right. Luke had been fighting that proclamation for his entire life, but he could not escape it. His throat closing, he continued passed Lord Tristan’s solar to his own chambers.
Nessa was shooed from her father’s solar by his man-servant. And she had to agree with him, her father did need his rest, as did she. She was hungry and thought to get something to eat from the kitchens before retiring. She had entered the Great Hall on her way to the kitchen when she spotted Luke speaking with Mel near the hearth. They were standing close, holding hands. Mel laughed softly at something he said. He lifted her hand to his lips.
An incredible feeling of jealousy enveloped her and she almost took a step toward them before stopping herself. Luke was Mel’s now. Despair swirled around her. She felt tears threatening her eyes, stinging, and burning. She couldn’t move, couldn’t turn away from the tender sight. What had she expected? Luke was betrothed to Mel.
Luke looked up, a smile on his lips. He locked gazes with Nessa across the expanse of the Great Hall. His grin slowly disappeared and a hardness settled about his lips. He pulled Mel close, hugging her fiercely.
As it should be, Nessa thought. She was going to turn and run, but Mel spotted her.
“Nessa!” Mel broke free of Luke and raced across the rush-covered floor to embrace her. “I’m so glad you are safe. Luke was telling me all about your experience. How horrible for you!”
When she mentioned Luke’s name, Nessa again looked at him as he sauntered over to them. Even his familiar walk made her chest constrict painfully.
Mel looked up at her and her cheerfulness vanished. “Nessa, are you all right?”
Nessa looked away quickly. “Yes. Yes. I’m fine. I’m just tired is all.”
Mel tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “You haven’t changed out of that dress yet. Have you eaten?”
“No,” Nessa admitted. “Not yet.” She lifted her hungry eyes again to Luke. “I wanted to make sure a physician had attended Luke’s wound.” She saw he was no longer shirtless, but wore a tan tunic. The image of his strong, firm, warm torso came to her mind. She blushed slightly and looked down...into Mel’s eyes.
Mel scowled for a moment, as if she had read Nessa’s guilt.
“Yes,” Luke said. “My wound is cleaned and mended. And you, Lady Nessa. Have you seen a physician?”
Lady Nessa. The distance between them grew. “Not yet. I was with Father.”
“Luke,” Mel said. “Please take Nessa to see physician David.”
Nessa panicked. She couldn’t be alone with Luke! It was dangerous. “What of you, Mel? Can’t you come with?”
“I was just telling Luke that I must attend Chapel. I will stop by later.” She kissed Luke on the cheek and they stared deeply into each other’s eyes. Finally, Mel smiled coyly and half-waved to Nessa before walking away through the Great Hall.
Nessa watched her go. She loved Mel. And she would never do anything to hurt her. She could never marry Luke, even though she loved him. She looked at Luke.
His eyes burned with something she didn’t recognize. “Do not fear, Lady Nessa. I shall not bite.” He held out his arm to her.
She brushed by him without taking it. She couldn’t touch him, not without breaking down in tears. It was too hard. Too hurtful. And yet, part of her wanted to touch him. To kiss him. To love him. When they moved into the hallway, she spun on Luke. “Why are you acting like this?”
“Acting?” he echoed.
“Since when do you call me Lady Nessa?”
His eyebrows rose in innocent confusion. “Isn’t that your name?”
“Of course. But you’ve never called me that.”
“Many things will change now.”
