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Briar stared at her sister’s back, more bewildered than angry. When had Mary grown a temper? And why had she exploded with it now, almost as if she were…jealous?
With a sigh, Briar went to find Ivo.
He was standing by the door—no doubt planning to escort her home. Of course he was. How could she have thought he would have forgotten her? She was carrying his child, and he would smother her with attention if it kept her safe. Fate had brought their lives into collision, and whatever this feeling was that kept them together, it was strong. Ivo, despite his odd behavior since he saw Miles, would never hurt her. Briar owed it to him to force a reconciliation between him and his brother.
It was the least she could do for him.
She looked as if she had been telling secrets. There was something about the expression in her hazel eyes, the flush of her cheeks, the curl of her lips. Ivo realized he didn’t trust her, and it frightened him. His belly clenched.
“Where were you, Briar?” He tried to ask her gently, but his voice came out harsh and demanding. Like a captain ordering his troops.
She ruffled up, shooting him a sideways glance. “I was speaking to my admirers, Ivo.”
“Are they many?”
“Aye, legion!”
“Briar—” He had gone too far; his fears for her safety had eroded his good sense. It was Miles’s fault. Miles had always managed to destroy his equilibrium. Now he was working on corroding Ivo’s feelings for Briar, and he was not even there.
“Do you not think I sing well, Ivo?”
She looked so cross, and yet there was a vulnerability in her eyes that broke his heart. His woman had suffered, and it made him so angry and determined that it not happen again. He forgot for a moment what Miles’s presence meant to his ability as Briar’s protector, and concentrated on soothing her feelings.
“No, demoiselle, I do not,” he began.
“Oh!” She glared up at him. “At least your brother knows how to compliment me properly.”
His heart went cold. He felt it turn to ice in his chest, and knew his face was white. Whatever she saw in him frightened her, for she backed a step, catching her breath. But in a moment she had lifted her chin, trying to be brave.
“What do you know of Miles, demoiselle?” he asked her, and his voice was deadly quiet.
If you tell my brother you are meeting me, he will stop you from coming.
Briar knew now that Miles had spoken the truth. Ivo would never allow her to meet Miles alone. But her curiosity was now too strong for her not to do so. There was something putrid, something foul between Ivo and his brother, and it was time it was brought out into the open air.
“Demoiselle?” He was waiting, and his black eyes burned.
“Nothing,” she retorted. “I know nothing about your brother. I only meant that he was chivalrous.”
“Miles is nothing to do with you. Leave that matter alone.”
“Leave what matter, Ivo?” she cried, and to her shame her voice broke. Now he had made her cry! She turned her back on him and walked out into the night. She would walk home, alone with her hurt. She would never trouble him again. Aye, he could drown in his own bad temper.
“Demoiselle?”
He had followed her, his voice warm in the darkness, almost tentative. Was he sorry? Had he come to apologize? Briar slowed and stopped, but did not turn around.
“Demoiselle, when I said I did not think you sang well, you misunderstood me. ‘Well’ is too mean a word for your voice. You sing like an angel. Each time I listen to you, it is as if my heart overflows and washes me clean.”
He meant it. Briar felt emotion well up within her, and the easy tears trickled down her cheeks. How could she doubt him? How could she deceive him, even if she meant only good by him? He needed her help, aye, but she should not go about it behind his back.
Briar turned, stiffening her own back and preparing to tell him about Miles…
He slid his arms about her and held her against him. Just held her. As if she were the most precious thing in his
life.
Briar could not remember being held in such a way, not since she was a child. And she liked it, she liked it very much. ’Twas a fine thing to be strong, to be the shield behind which everyone else sheltered, but there were times when even the strong needed to be held and comforted. And Ivo seemed to understand that. There was no weakness in leaning against his big body, no shame in it.
