Page 311 of Redemption Arc Romance

“It was well worth the time spent.”

She nodded her thanks, her green eyes seeking his dark ones curiously. “Did you speak with my father?”

Brandt shook his head, the look of pleasure on his face turning to one of frustration. “I did not,” he said. “There has been no opportunity as of yet, but I find that I am going to have to create the opportunity. I am planning on leaving in the next day or two and I would like to take you with me when I go. Time is of the essence.”

Her expression grew serious. “Leaving?” she repeated. “Where are you going?”

“Back to France,” he said, somewhat softly. “I am expected.”

Her features fell. “Expected by whom? Why must you go back? You have only just returned.”

There was a stone bench near the pond. Brandt reached out and took her hand, guiding her over to the bench which sat partially obscured by the moonlit shadows. When they sat, it was very close together. Brandt lifted her hand to his lips, kissing it sweetly, before continuing.

“You know that I have been with the Prince of Wales in France for the past three years,” he said softly. “Whether or not I have told you directly, surely you were aware?”

Ellowyn was pouting now. “Of course I was aware,” she said, frowning. “But I did not pay much attention to the details, to be truthful. All I knew was that my father loaned you six hundred men and that you were returning them to London at the end of January, but I heard nothing about you going back to France. Why must you return?”

He kissed her hand again. “Because Edward is expecting me to return with fresh men and supplies,” he said. “That is the only reason I returned to England, Wynny. I brought your father’s men home because they had been fighting for a solid year and needed rest. My orders are to collect fresh men and supplies, and return to Edward within three months of my departure. I have already been gone a month, so I must leave as soon as I can and go about my mission on seeking fresh men and supplies from other allies. Then, I must go back.”

She was looking at him with big, bottomless eyes. “To fight.”

“Aye.”

She cocked her head. “What about me?” she asked. “Do you plan to marry me in haste and simply leave me here?”

He sighed faintly. “I plan to marry you, enjoy what time we have together, and then return to France,” he said, trying to be gentle. “You may stay here at Erith with your family, or you may stay at my seat of Guildford Castle. As my wife, you would command much power and respect. I would be proud to have you at Guildford, administering my lands.”

“I do not care about power and respect,” she said, somewhat petulantly. “I only care about you. I do not want you to go.”

He smiled, cupping her face with one big hand and stroking her soft cheek with his thumb.

“I must,” he said simply. “But know that it will give me no pleasure in leaving you. That has never happened before.”

“What do you mean?”

“Leaving someone behind that I would miss. In fact, I do not ever believe I have missed anyone.”

The smile was returning to her face, reluctantly. “Not ever?”

“Not ever.”

She gazed at him, rather dreamily. “Why can’t I come with you?” she asked softly. “I would not be any trouble. You said yourself that I travel very well. Won’t you take me with you?”

He shook his head. “Absolutely not,” he said firmly, but he kissed her hand as he said it. “You must understand that I am in harm’s way every moment of every day. Men go out of their way to try and kill me because the death ofl’ange noirwould bring any man much prestige. Furthermore, I….”

He came to an abrupt halt because he could see her eyes welling up with frightened tears. He inwardly winced at his lack of tact and sought to make amends.

“The rainy season is upon us,” he said quickly, covering his tracks. “There is mud such as you have never seen. Mud up to my waist. And the rain, it is torrential. We travel day and night in the stuff. I would hate to see you covered in mud day and night. It would kill my morale.”

Ellowyn wasn’t fooled. “I realize that you are a warlord and men are going out of their way to try and kill you,” she said, unhappy. “Must you be so blunt about it? Must you give me such angst for your safety?”

He sighed again, kissing her hand sweetly. “I am sorry,” he said softly, his deep voice a gentle rumble. “I was not thinking. You must understand that I have no need to be tactful with those around me and I am unused to speaking with women on a personal level. This is all very new to me so I apologize if, at times, I am tactless.”

His apology eased her somewhat and she even managed a weak smile. “Do you have property in France?”

He nodded. “I do,” he replied. “In Brittany I hold Chateau Melesse, which became mine when my father died, and Chateau Gael, which is where my daughters live. Near Limoges I hold Chateaus Ruffec and Civray, which I confiscated last year whilst fighting.”

“Why can I not stay in one of your castles? I would be safe there and you could come and see me every day.”