Page 11 of A Knight for Gwenllian

“I know not who this Myfanwy is, or why she thought it advisable to utter such a grim prediction, but I cannot say that I like it.” The raisin was chewed with decision. Alexander might be generous, but he never shied away from speaking his mind. “But why did you take what she said to mean you would stay unmarried?”

“Because the place where I live means ‘Bones Castle.’”

“I see.” The way he said this made it clear that he didn’t see, not really. So she hurried to explain, hoping he would not think her silly.

“Me living my life surrounded by bones means that I will end up living there all my life. Which means that I will remain unmarried. No married woman stays in her brother’s castle. I know what you’re thinking—that one prediction uttered years ago is no guarantee of anything. Indeed, I would think the same if I didn’t know Myfanwy,” she added before he could object. “But I do know her. Everything she has ever predicted has come true, however odd, however far-fetched. She told Siân she would marry a man with two identities. And look what happened.”

Gwenllian did not elaborate. As his friend, Alexander would know that Christopher fit that description better than anyone else.

“Mm.” He didn’t appear convinced, however. “You still could prove her wrong, though. There is a first time for everything, isn’t there?”

“Yes.”

And this was precisely why she had set off for Scotland. So she could experience her first time with a fierce Scot, to ensure that if she were to never marry, at least she would not remain a virgin. Alexander seemed to read her mind.

“I see,” he repeated.

And this time, she had the impression that he did see. Heat invaded her cheeks at having been so thoroughly found out, but at least Alexander had not laughed. He’d even tilted his head, as if agreeing her reasoning made sense.

To give herself time to recover, she ate her raisin.

“So, yes, that is why I decided to go to Scotland. I hope this trip will give me the adventure I need and memories to last me a lifetime. But enough about me. There is something I would like to thank you for now that you know who I am.”

He waved a hand. “You already thanked me yesterday.”

“I don’t mean for saving me from the ruffians, even if I am grateful for that.”

“What then?”

“I know that you once lied to protect my sister Siân’s reputation. She revealed to my sisters and me after her wedding that she had never been attacked by the river, as she had initially told us, but by Christopher’s stepbrother, who had taken the title of Lord Ashton. You were there that day, you helped rescue her, and you brought her back to Audley to be looked after.”

“Is that why you’re thanking me?” He looked incredulous. “Any man of honor would have done the same, I hope you don’t doubt my⁠—”

“I don’t,” she hastened to assure him. After what he had done the day before, she could not think him anything other than honorable. “But I’m thanking you for giving Siân and Christopher this night they thought would be their last one. For not judging them, even though, at the time, my sister was married.”

This union had been in name only, but many people would still have objected.

“Yes, well, how could I judge them? It was clear as day that those two were meant to be together.”

“I know. As I said, Myfanwy had predicted it.”

He snorted, as if amused at her perseverance in the belief. But she was truly certain that Myfanwy would be proven right in the end. What remained to be seen was the manner in which the prediction would come true.

“Tell me more about yourself,” Alexander said, raising his cup to her. “What little I know of you I know through Christopher, and you know how he is.”

Yes. A veritable rogue. Which was precisely why Gwenllian had not wanted to reveal her identity the previous day. She dreaded to think how he would have described the headstrong girl who had almost drowned in the river when she was only twelve years old. Like a spoiled child or a veritable hellion, probably.

“Well, I can tell you that I have not needed rescuing from drowning of late. I assume you know all about the incident at the river?”

A laugh. “I do. Christopher did tell me about that. But he did say that Seren had been the one at fault. He actually praised you for your courage, saying that it was not your fault you were too young to succeed in your rescue mission.”

Oh. That was something, she supposed. She carried on, feeling marginally better about being Siân’s little sister.

“I could have gone anywhere for my adventure, but I chose Scotland because I want to see my best friend, Bethan, who married a Scot last year. She is like a fourth sister to me. I have three, and one brother, as you know. We are very close.”

Alexander nodded to himself, looking pensive.

“’Tis the exact opposite for me. I have three brothers and one sister, none of whom I would miss if I never saw them again. Mind you, I wouldn’t be surprised if I never saw Roger again. Aggressive as he has become, I give him a year at the most before he is killed in a skirmish.” He sighed, as if regretting the child his brother had once been. “My only sister lives far away, in Cornwall, with her Cornish husband and her Cornish children. She has washed her hands of us. Perhaps it was the wise thing to do. My other two brothers are the bane of my life. Fortunately, as I am the bane of theirs, they rarely visit.”