Page 51 of Anice’s Bargain

The words washed over Anice and made her chest swell. She hugged her older sister close.

“You will do very well, Anice,” Marin said softly in her sister’s ear. “And if I may be so bold as to state, I do believe your husband may be in love.”

Anice snapped her head up. “With me?”

“Of course, you.” Marin laughed and glanced to James who lingered several steps away, his gaze fixed on them with a light smile curving one side of his mouth. Having been caught staring, he quickly jerked his attention away and turned to speak with his father.

Marin released Anice and returned to Bran. He nodded in her direction. “I’m glad Drake is coming with ye.” His stare toward James was not as kind as Marin’s had been. “I dinna trust a Graham with my life, and certainly no’ with yers.”

In truth, Anice was glad Drake would be joining them as well. If nothing else for a familiar face from home.

And last, finally, came Papa.

“My beautiful daughter.” He opened his arms.

The endearment of him calling her beautiful did not rankle her, not when it was said with such obvious affection. She stepped into his arms, into the embrace of the familiar scent of her father, leather and horses and a subtle hint of clean herbs.

“You’ve made a great sacrifice on behalf of our family.” He said this quietly in her ear and then drew back. “I’m sorry I did not appreciate what you’d done before now.”

Ah, so he had spoken with Marin. Or rather, Marin had most likely spoken with him.

“Thank you, Papa.” Anice gave him a kiss on the cheek, as she’d always done since she was a girl.

The crinkles at her father’s eyes deepened and concern showed in the deep blue depths. “Be safe, Anice.”

“Of that you need not worry.” Anice fingered the new throwing dagger at her belt. “You’ve seen us properly trained.”

“Then I give you my blessing to go.” He stepped back. “The door to Werrick Castle is always open to you, Daughter.”

The tension returned to Anice’s throat. This was it, then. The end of her life at Werrick Castle. Piquette was led into the back of a waiting cart where a soft bed of clean rushes awaited him. It had been decided that although Piquette had once belonged to all the daughters, he now had become solely Anice’s.

James and his father were already waiting on their horses, having mounted them while Anice spoke with her father. Peter led her to her own steed and assisted her onto the palfrey’s back.

“Best of luck to ye, my lady.” The Master of the Horse lowered his head in respect and backed away.

James trotted to her side and narrowed his eyes in Drake’s direction. “Are ye ready?”

Anice nodded and tried to swallow down the hard ball of emotion lodged in the back of her throat.

“Is he coming with us then?” James didn’t need to specify that he was referring to Drake.

“I did marry our greatest enemy.”

James grunted; his mood surlier than she’d seen as of yet. Any concerns, however, fell away as they made their way through the gates of Werrick Castle. She passed without turning back to look at those she loved, for she feared doing so would sap her strength to depart.

She was not only leaving behind her family and friends, she was leaving behind the girl she had been to become a wife, mistress of her own castle. Contrary to her reassurances to Leila, the girl’s words echoed in Anice’s mind.

It will be a failure.

She could only hope that in saving her people, she had not lost herself.

* * *

James wasfamiliar with Caldrick Castle and the rich land surrounding it. He’d done a raid or two to it in his day, but never had he dreamed he would be its lord.

Anice did not speak on the journey to Carlisle, her expression somber despite the smile she’d woken up with. How he’d loved having her in his arms when he woke, the quiet joy shining in her eyes, the sensual roll of her hips against his, hungry with lust.

The thought made his groin tighten. He shifted in his saddle and focused on the great castle rising in front of them. A cockstand wouldn’t do now. Not when he was about to take ownership of the castle.