Page 65 of The Knight’s Reward

“I . . . I am not sure,” she admitted.

“Rota Fortunae.” Sara smiled. “I believe Fortuna can be influenced, but I do believe in her power. I’m convinced she brought you here. To Kenshire.”

Kathryn was not as sure. “I agree the similarities between us are striking.”

“As our outcomes will be.”

If only that were possible. “If Neill does not marry her, the king will not remove Caxton. And if Caxton is not removed as warden—”

“No Day of Truce. No peace. Increased violence. Possible war with Scotland. Aye. I know it all well.”

Kathryn stared at her. “That cannot be.”

“Nor will it be.”

The countess’s certainty was such that it made her hope.

“Even without his obligation,” she forced herself to say, “I am not in a position to marry.”

That she was even speaking about such a thing with the Countess of Kenshire, Neill’s sister-in-law, seemed preposterous. Kathryn shook her head.

“This is a setback, to be sure. But mark my words, Kathryn. Only a fool could not see what is between you and Neill. And I’ve learned much these past years. Love, my dear, is more powerful than hate.”

“We are not . . .” She swallowed. “We are not in love.”

Sara looked pointedly at her.

“Are you certain of that?”

No, she was not certain at all, but she didn’t dare contemplate such a thing, not when the prospects were so dim for a happy outcome.

“Describe my brother-in-law to me?”

“Pardon?”

“Describe him. As you’d do if he were a stranger to me.”

Kathryn could not help but smile as she imagined him standing before them now.

“He is handsome, to be sure.”

“He is a Waryn.” Sara finished her meal as Kathryn continued to consider the words she’d use to describe the man who’d come into her life a few weeks ago.

“And loyal. The night we met he’d come to my defense against a Scotsman at the inn.” A king, she added silently, he had no love for. “And kind, of course. Not many men would have escorted me north without knowing why I needed to go there, but he didn’t require much convincing. I didn’t even have my own mount . . . I kept pushing him away, and yet he was always there when I needed him. Offering me support.”

She thought of every time he’d grabbed her hand. Of that first kiss. Of last night.

“And . . .” She couldn’t find the words. Or wasn’t willing to share them.

“You can keep those thoughts to yourself.” Sara smiled. “For now.”

“You think Neill and I can find a way to be together despite the king’s decree?”

“Aye.”

It was foolish. Absurd. The very idea.

And yet, if Sara believed it with such conviction, maybe she could too?