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That deep sadness had crept back into his handsome, austere features. He had the look of a priest; how could she not trust a priest. Despite her instinctive caution, Briar felt an answering empathy. She loved her sisters, and presently felt out of step with them, and the sense of loss and frustrati
on was uncomfortable. How much worse for Miles and Ivo, who had clearly suffered some terrible fissure? At least, Ivo had cut himself off from his brother, though Miles seemed willing to repair matters.
“He is the only flesh and blood family I have left.”
Jesu, there were tears in his pale eyes. Despite herself, Briar’s own eyes filled.
“And ’tis all over a misunderstanding,” he went on, his voice turning bitter. “A foolish thing. But Ivo will not speak with me, he will not let me explain to him…” He took a breath, pulling himself together. “Well, what is the point of mulling over it? Nothing can be done.”
Impulsively, Briar put her hand on his arm. “Perhaps there is something we can do, Sir Miles. Perhaps I can talk to Ivo for you.”
He looked at her sharply, and suddenly he had all of Ivo’s intensity. “Would you, lady? Would you do that for me?”
His eagerness was heartwarming, and Briar smiled, forgetting any doubts she may have had. “Aye, I would. But first you must tell me what it is that keeps you and Ivo apart…”
Miles stiffened, looking past her to the tapestry. Light spilled through the narrow gap where the cloth was not flush against the doorway. “I do not want Ivo to find me here with you. It will be another mark against me, in his eyes. Can you meet me tomorrow? Can you meet me at the house of your father?”
It seemed an odd request, but he was staring at her so fiercely, so pleadingly. As if he had put all his hopes in her.
“Will you trust me, lady? I want so much to reconcile with my only brother. In his heart, I know that Ivo wants that, too. We need someone like you, someone who cares for him, to help us take the first step. Will you do that for Ivo and me, Lady Briar?”
Briar already knew that she would, but she pretended to consider. Ivo would be cross with her, but surely he would understand when she explained to him that she had only wanted to help? And he would be pleased with her, wouldn’t he, when he was friends again with his brother? It would all be worthwhile, then.
She nodded her head.
“So, you will come? Tomorrow?”
“Aye, Sir Miles, I will come to my father’s house tomorrow.”
He smiled with relief, and took her hands warmly in his. “I thank you, lady. Ivo cannot thank you, yet, so I will do it for him. And I thank you with all my heart—”
“Briar?”
It was Mary’s voice, beyond the tapestry. Briar pulled away, moving toward it, saying, “My sister is looking for me…”
“My brother will not let you come and meet me, if you tell him of our plans. He will stop you, lady. Be aware of that.”
“Sir Miles—”
Just then Mary lifted the stiff cloth aside and peered into the alcove at them. She frowned, eyes going suspiciously from Miles to Briar. “Briar? I want to go home now.”
“Of course.” Briar shot a warning glance over her shoulder at Miles. “Thank you for your compliments, sir.”
Miles bowed, his gray eyes like quicksilver. “Remember what I have said, lady.”
“I will.”
Mary was still frowning when they returned to the hall. “Ivo is looking for you,” she said. “I told him I would find you. I saw you go into that room, but I did not tell him so. You were very sly. What are you playing at, Briar? He is to be your husband, and yet you go off with other men.”
A lecture from Mary! Briar felt bemused. Who would have thought it? Clearly her younger sister was growing up.
“You don’t understand,” she began, but Mary wouldn’t listen.
“No, I don’t! And I don’t want to. You are so lucky, Briar, and yet you play with fire. I do not want to know why you would want to spoil all the good things that have fallen in your lap. Mayhap you don’t deserve them.”
“Mary!”
Mary pulled away from her outstretched hand, flushed and angry and upset. “Ivo is waiting for you. Go to him, Briar. I will be there in a moment.”
