Page 49 of The Darkland

She continued to gaze at him, looking far more clear-minded than she had moments earlier. The hand still touching his cheek began to caress it. “Kirk, I am afraid.”

The corner of his mouth twitched. “I do not believe it. What could you possibly be afraid of?”

She was serious; he could read it in her expression. “I fear I have lost my sister to her new marriage and I cannot bear the thought of losing you, too. After all we have said to one another, after all I have done, have you truly reconsidered your proposal of marriage?”

He was silent for a moment. “I thought you did not want to marry me.”

The brilliant eyes bore into him, reaching deep to pull at his heart. “I have changed my mind. Will you not reconsider?”

He tried to avert his gaze but was unable to. He knew he loved her, but her words and actions had cut him deeply. Frightened him, even. It would take courage to marry the little hellion, he knew, and he had spent all night asking God to give him the courage. The beautiful lady with the bright blue eyes had taken his heart captive and he had not the strength to resist her. No matter what she had said or done.

“Mayhap,” he heard himself whisper. He knew it was a lie; he had always known he would marry her regardless. But fear and confusion halted any further acknowledgement.

Mara saw his reluctance. For the first time in her life, she found herself wanting to please another, wanting to make amends for something she had done. Never had she been so compelled to ease tension or erase the past. Kirk had been kind to her, unafraid to discipline her in order to mold her wild character. And she had repaid him by gouging his face. Accident or no, the damage was obvious and she was eager to prove her remorse.

She forced a smile. “I promise I shall behave myself from this day forward. No more arguments and fighting. And I shall listen to whatever you say.”

He lifted an eyebrow. “Time will tell, lady.”

Her smile faded as she struggled not to give in to the sorrow his reluctance provoked. “But I am serious, Kirk. I shall truly put forth my best effort.”

He nodded faintly, glancing to the rear of the column when someone shouted. Mara sensed his doubt, his disinterest in the conversation. As if he could not afford to believe her after what had happened. Hanging her head, she picked at her worn cloak, the pain in her heart uneased by the alcohol.

“Oh, Kirk,” she whispered, more to herself. “Have I truly lost you?”

He heard her, feeling his heart tug. “Nay,” he murmured, watching the raven-colored head come up, the blue eyes on him. “You haven’t lost me.”

“But you are angry?”

He shook his head slowly. “Not angry, Mara. Disappointed.”

She sniffled, tears suddenly brimming again. “With me, I know. But I swear if it takes the rest of my life, I shall make amends. You are the only person in my life, other than Micheline, who has ever shown me any true kindness.” She shrugged, blinking away the moisture as she lowered her gaze. “Mayhap I simply do not know how to react to true kindness. I react to you as I have reacted my entire life to the situation around me; with force and determination. I… I have never known another way.”

He felt himself relenting completely, knowing her words were insightful and true. Before he could respond, however, she sneezed violently and pulled her cloak more tightly about her body. Snuggling against him, she sneezed again.

“Please do not hate me, Kirk,” she murmured. “You are all that I have now.”

He felt her go limp, knowing the sway of the horse and the strength of the liquor had lured her into unconsciousness. Gathering her tightly in his right arm, Mara never felt the kisses to her forehead.

*

The corridor wasdim and musty, reeking of smoke. Soft footfalls echoed against the floor as Micheline made her way to her husband’s chamber, more determination in her heart than she had ever experienced. Having spent the night with the man and his sister, she should have stayed far away from the pair. Yet, she could not help but remember her words to Kirk, declaring that she would take charge of her marriage as best she was able.

A marriage that had been a disaster from the onset. Submissive by character, Micheline had no idea where her sudden burst of determination had come from. But as she sat in her morning bath, washing away the reminders of her husband and his sister, it became apparent that she would not tolerate this situation. Mayhap it was in knowing that she was now the baroness and the strength of the title was behind her. Or mayhap it was because she refused to be a pawn in Edmund’s sick games, manipulated and abused until she could stand no more.

Whatever the case, Micheline was inclined to take charge of the situation before it harangued out of control. Considering it was the only marriage she would ever know, she realized she had to voice herobjections now unless she wanted to remain miserable for the rest of her life.

Still, the courage to do what was necessary was a hard thing to come by. Pausing before the great chamber door, she took a deep breath and knocked. After several moments, Johanne’s breathless voice answered. “Who comes?”

Micheline’s reply was to boldly open the door. Closing the panel behind her, she focused on her husband and his sister, intertwined in the bedsheets. After the hell she had been through the previous night, the sight of the pair no longer jolted her.

“Ah, Micheline,” Johanne purred seductively. “You have returned for more?”

Micheline raised an eyebrow. “I have not,” she said flatly. “First, I have come to ask where my sister has gone. Lady Valdine and Lady Wanda informed that she left for Quernmore Castle this morn.”

Johanne answered irritably. “The woman is a thorn in our side. We have sent her to Quernmore Castle in the hopes of finding her a husband.”

Micheline’s eyes widened but she said nothing; apparently, Johanne knew nothing of the relationship between Kirk and Mara, and Micheline had no intention of elaborating. But she had also been told that Kirk had led the escort to Quernmore, and she wondered if the man was aware of the motives behind Mara’s presence. Surely, he had asked. Surely, he knew.