Page 58 of A Knight for Gwenllian

Christopher shook his head. “I know, but it will likely take time, and honestly, I want nothing to do with the place. I am happy in Wales with Siân and the children; it is where I want to be, and I cannot bring myself to care or even think about the decrepit old place. But it’s not just about me. I need to ensure the tenants get a new master. A fair, efficient one.”

Alexander cocked his head. Was his friend really offering him Throckmorton Castle? Surely not. That was much more than a favor to help him out of a difficult situation. “You’re not going to⁠—”

“Ask you to be that man? No, I would never do that to a friend.” As if to prove the place was not one he would wish on anyone, he swept the room with an extended hand. And indeed, Sir Stephen and his wife, despite their commendable effort, had not managed to overcome the sinister aspect of a castle that seemed, as Christopher had said, shrouded in unhappiness. “Like me, you doubtless prefer comfortable Audley to grander but depressing Throckmorton.”

Size doesn’t matter, he had once told Gwenllian. He had then repented of the words when he had taken her to bed the first time, but he meant it in this case. His friend was right. Better a cozy, well-maintained domain than a sprawling but sinister one. Thockmorton, like their family seat, Hotwell, seemed haunted by the unhappiness of its former inhabitants. It was little wonder that Christopher’s sister-in-law and her new husband had decided to go live somewhere else. Being in the place for nearly a decade would have sucked all the joy from their souls. How they had lasted that long was anyone’s guess.

“I do prefer Audley. But what are you saying?” This conversation made little sense.

Christopher sat up and faced him squarely.

“Your brother wants to add to his consequence to impress his future father-in-law. Taking Audley back from you was the easiest solution, which is why he took it—that and the dubious pleasure of ruining your life, of course.” Alexander could not protest. “But he also said that if you came up with a better solution, he would leave the place to you. Well. We have found a better solution.”

“Do I like where this is going?” Alexander asked slowly.

“Yes, you do,” Christopher said firmly. “Because the only thing preventing you from agreeing that this is a good idea is your dislike for your brother on a personal level, which I share. But we also both agree that he will be a good ruler for the place. Don’t you see? It is the perfect solution. You get to keep the place you care about, Hugh gets the prestigious castle he is after, the tenants get a competent lord to look after them and I get to finally wash my hands of the whole affair, forget this place I have always hated.”

He stood up, a grin on his face, looking relieved. It was clear that in his mind, the deed was done.

Alexander, for his part, was too stunned to say anything.

“I will have the clerk draw the deeds transferring Throckmorton to Hugh in the morning.” Christopher was talking to himself again. “You will give it to him only once he’s given you a paper stating that Audley has officially become yours to manage as you see fit, to be passed on to your descendants, not his. That way you will be safe from his evil machinations.”

Was this really happening, or was he dreaming? Alexander wondered. It seemed too good to be true.

“I doubt I will ever have any descendants,” he could not help to point out.

“I care not. I only mean to ensure that you, not Hugh, are in charge of Audley from now on. Besides, you’re still young, my friend. You might change your mind about having a family. Wait until you meet the woman who makes you want things you never knew you needed.”

His friend skewered him with a pointed look, as if to suggest he might already have met that woman. Alexander tensed. How had Christopher guessed that there was more between him and Gwenllian than what he had suggested?

“A woman?” he croaked.

“Of course. Look at what happened to me with Siân. I thought I was happy bedding all the women who wanted me, but she made me see I was only chasing something illusory. She was determined to have me and would not take no for an answer. And I’m glad I wasn’t a stubborn fool refusing to see the obvious.”

Was he suggesting that Alexander was being a stubborn fool for not accepting that there could be more between him and Gwenllian? More importantly, was he right? Only the other day, Alexander had started to wonder if he could begin rethinking his life plan. Now that, thanks to his friend, his future was assured, could he really do it?

His mind was whirring.

“I don’t know what to say.”

Even if he was grateful, he was not sure he should accept such a huge favor. Throckmorton Castle, despite its gloomy atmosphere, was worth a lot more than Audley, and everyone knew it.

Christopher placed a hand on his shoulder.

“Start by saying: ‘I will go speak to Hugh on the morrow.’ Then you can stay silent if you want.”

Chapter Eighteen

The morning found Alexander riding back to Audley with a precious parchment tucked in his tunic. The deeds to Throckmorton Castle, freshly drawn by Christopher’s clerk. He could not help but smile as his horse’s hooves pounded the ground. This paper could change his life in more ways than one.

Thanks to it, his future at Audley was assured. His and that of his descendants. By his generosity, Christopher had watered the seed that had been planted in his mind a few days ago. Now that he was assured of a position, perhaps he could⁠—

No. He ruthlessly stopped the thought before it could fully take form. One thing at a time. First, he should deal with his brother. Then once Hugh was gone, he could think about what—who—he really wanted.

Alexander trotted through the gate. His smile broadened. Soon, he would be able to call this place home.

The first person he saw in the bailey was not his brother, his steward or his groom. It was a woman. The most beautiful woman in the world, standing next to her mare, as if she’d only just arrived herself.