Page 19 of To Love

“How did you come to be so skilled at political strategy?”

Moving away more quickly than was necessary, Alden’s closeness affecting her more than it should, she sat down once again.

“My father began as a royal messenger, his own father one before him. He rose to chancellor to King Henry and has served the royal court ever since.” She’d said as much many times, certain she did so with Alden present. But that’s typically where she stopped the story.

He waited.

“My mother died in childbirth. I was raised by my father, at court. Unlike other ladies, however, I know little of playing the harp. A game of chess was my father’s preferred pastime.”

“Your father serves the king, and yet you are here.”

“My father serves the king only because it was he who took the throne. Neither he nor I believes such an ascension was the rightful one, though we kept that opinion to ourselves.”

Alden stretched his legs out. Her antechamber had never felt quite as . . . full. He was one impressively large man.

“It is dangerous for him. You being here.”

It was not a question, but she answered it anyway. “Aye. He worried, increasingly so, his true feelings may be uncovered. While he no longer travels with the king, my father remains at court but was much relieved when I came to Castle Blackwood. The belief at court is that I married a Scotsman.”

“Do people not question your father about your supposed marriage and husband?”

“They do, but my father is careful to share few details. He is quite good at saying much but nothing at all. Even so, if I were to be discovered here . . .” Elara sighed.

“Your father would pay dearly.”

“Mayhap with his life. This traitor must be uncovered,” she said with more feeling than was typical for her. “I’ve told no one what I just shared with you, Alden. Only Eamon knows the full truth, though some of the others on the council have guessed at most of it. They know my father well, know he serves a court that he does not support.”

“Thank you,” he said. “For trusting me with that truth.”

She’d said too much. It was not like her to wag her tongue so freely.

“If there is naught else,” she said, standing.

Alden took her cue and did so as well. He placed the wine goblet on the table beside the pitcher. She did the same, prepared to escort him out, when a knock at her chamber door interrupted them. She and Alden exchanged a glance.

Elara shook her head to his silent question. She expected no one. Had dismissed the guard and her maid, and there was no reason for any other to be in this tower at such a time.

Alden’s jaw locked, his eyes blazing.

She looked toward the secret passageway door.

Alden shook his head. He would not be leaving. Not until the newcomer identified themselves. She made her way across the room, and with one last glance at Alden, she called out, “Who is there?”

“Lord Stirling.” The archery instructor’s voice boomed from the other side. He had never visited her here, and there was no cause for him to do so now. He did not even like her.

She turned to glance at Alden, but he was already heading into her bedchamber. Elara took his cue, shut the adjoining door and opened the other to find Stirling waiting for her.

Chapter

Nine

Having left his sword behind, Alden gripped the knife at his side, listening.

“My lord?”

Thankfully he could hear every word through the crack in the heavy wooden door. He’d left it open, just slightly, for such a purpose.

“Apologies for calling on you at such an hour. May I come inside?”