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“Odd. The wives we had resigned ourselves to get to protect ourselves ending up being the women who gave our lives meaning. We would have married them regardless.”

Indeed.

Ahead of them, Katherine had come to a stop. “Are you two coming in with us or staying outside?” she asked, cocking her head with mock severity.

Siaspar smiled at his wife. “Coming, my love. Always.”

Cadell and Johanna stayed the night at Castell y Ddraig, then in the morning, they, along with Siaspar and Katherine, rode to Castell Esgyrn. After what he’d done to save Bryn Glas, Lord Sheridan deserved to be told about the wedding in person.

He was in the great hall, sitting with his wife, Esyllt, and their only son, Rhys, surrounded by a litter of young wolfhounds. Everyone stood up at their approach, smiles lighting up their faces.

“Cadell, back from England at last.”

“Yes, my lord.”

He bowed his head, deciding not to mention his failed attempt at locating Rhiannon. Only Siaspar and Peredur knew about it. It was more than enough.

“Once again, my lord, let me thank you for your intervention that day. You saved Cadell’s life,” Johanna said, her voice quivering. “I am deeply grateful.”

“And you protected the women of Bryn Glas,” Cadell added, which was at least as important in his eyes. This time, unlike the day his home had been seized, he had been able to defend his people.

“Please.” Lord Sheridan waved their thanks away. “I did what I had to do, nothing more. So let us hear no more of the events of that day. I hope that is not why you rode all the way here?”

“No, it’s not.” Cadell took Johanna’s hand. It amazed him to see her blush at this simple gesture, considering what they had done that very morning—and also the evening before. He already knew he would delight in seeing this color on her cheeks in the years to come. “We wanted to let you know that Johanna and I are getting married as soon as can be arranged and hope you and your whole family will be able to attend.”

“A wedding! How wonderful!”

Cadell turned to see a pretty young girl standing in the door frame, her face lit up with excitement at the prospect. He recognized Seren Hunter, the youngest member of the family. With long blonde hair and green eyes, she was the image of her mother. He could not help but smile back at her. Her excitement was infectious. Besides, he was excited himself.

“How wonderful indeed.” Never more so than when it was his own wedding, to the woman of his dreams.

“Congratulations. I went in for a ride, thinking I would be gone all day, but then I came back because I was hungry,” Seren continued, giving one of the pups a pat on the head. “Are we ready to eat yet?”

Lady Sheridan shook her head as if this was a regular occurrence and called out to the servant who had just come in to put more wood in the fire.

“Please bring some food and drink. Lady Seren is hungry.”

The woman chuckled, as if her mistress need not say more. Clearly the girl’s appetite was notorious, and indeed, it was not long before the table was laden with a veritable feast.

“I’m glad you’re here, as I have something I wanted to tell you both,” Lord Sheridan told the two brothers, gesturing that they should sit down.

Cadell took the seat next to Johanna, and spotted a dish full of the spiced almonds he had once procured for her. He could not resist picking one up and handing it to her. She took it with a smile, proving she had understood the allusion. Good. He could not wait to feed her all sorts of delicacies once they were married.

“What did you want to tell us, then, my lord?” Siaspar asked Lord Sheridan, pouring a cup of spiced wine for his wife, who had taken her place next to Seren.

“You know I wrote to the king a few months back to tell him about Sir Hubert’s intolerable attack.”

“Yes,” both men said at the same time, both sounding equally irate.

“Well, in that same letter, I recommended you both for knighthood.”

This had to be the last thing Cadell had expected to hear.

He’d been recommended for a knighthood?

“I cannot knight you myself, alas, which would be a lot easier, but I can certainly recommend worthy men and I did just that,” Lord Sheridan explained when no one answered. He’d made it sound as if that were the most normal thing to do.

“But…why us?”