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“What?” Terran roared.
“He’s like a demon, my lord,” Kenric defended himself. “He disappears and reappears –”
“Rubbish,” Terran exploded. “He is a man. I want him caught.”
“I wounded him. I know he bleeds. I’ll try again tonight. This I promise.” Kenric whirled toward the doors.
“No.” Terran slapped his hand on Kenric’s shoulder. “He’ll be expecting something. Wait a while. Let him grow comfortable with his escapades.” Terran’s gaze drifted in the direction of Bria’s room. “In the meantime, let’s see if we can’t secure the aid of my betrothed. Let’s find out where she’s been.”
Terran stared at Bria’s horse. The black steed eyed him as he moved about the stall, closely surveying the animal for any clue as to where she had gone to meet this man. But her horse’s legs had been washed down and a blanket was thrown over his back to keep him warm.
Terran’s jaw clenched. She’d taken care of her steed before returning to the keep. This was a smart woman he was marrying.
Fury and betrayal burned inside Terran. His fists clenched tightly.
Bria Delaney would know the full extent of his wrath. He would have answers.
Chapter twenty-two
Iwill have answers, Terran thought again.
He hadn’t been able to fall asleep with the little night that remained after Kenric’s return. He’d only managed to rest for a few hours before rising. Now he found himself in the Great Hall, waiting for his betrothed. And waiting.
His mood darkened as the sun lifted further and further in the sky until it was directly overhead. He’d intended to question her gently about her lover. But the more he waited, the angrier he became. His plan to question her calmly was slowly changing to one of getting what he wanted one way or another.
He rose and headed for the door, stomping over the rushes covering the floor. He hadn’t missed her awakening. She was still asleep in her bed. Well, no future wife of his would sleep the day away.
Kenric entered the Great Hall, momentarily halting Terran’s stride. “M’lord,” he greeted with a nod of his head.
“Have you seen my betrothed?” Terran almost spat the words.
“No.”
Terran stalked past him. Kenric had to walk quickly to keep up.
Terran rounded the comer, heading toward her room, and almost slammed into a group of serving women and ladies. He came up short and bowed slightly before them when his breath suddenly caught in his throat.
Bria stood before him at the front of the women. She met his stare evenly, those blue eyes luminous with a smile that slowly faded from her lips.
Terran realized he’d never seen her smile before. His anger vanished beneath the happiness he’d just seen touching her eyes, her lips, her cheeks. She was beautiful. Incredibly, amazingly beautiful.
“Lord Knowles,” she greeted.
Some of the women curtsied, some hailed him with a barely audible acknowledgment. But Terran’s gaze remained fixed on Bria. What had she done to make herself so vibrant?
She stepped around him.
For a moment, Terran watched her move past him, transfixed. Such confidence in her step, such beauty in her features, such --
“M’lord.”
It was Kenric. Terran turned his head to his cousin, who was staring at him in confusion, as if something were wrong. It shook Terran out of his fog. He glanced back to Bria, calling, “My lady, I would have a word with you.”
Bria halted and turned. Her eyes were so large and so startlingly blue. Her long, dark hair hung in ringlets over her shoulder to the middle of her back. The dark blue velvet gown she wore hugged her shapely figure. She nodded and her hair brushed her breast. She whispered something to one of the women and then stepped forward.
The group of women turned and continued into the Great Hall.
Terran watched Bria approach with uncharacteristically tentative steps. He shifted his gaze from the subtle sway of her gown to her eyes. She wasn’t looking at him. She was staring at Kenric.
