Page 5 of To Love

If this were a game of chess, she was about to expose her queen.

“This is the third summer I’ve seen at Castle Blackwood.”

More questions lingered between them.

He regarded her for a moment and then said, “Are you glad to have Evelina and Amalia here to speak with?”

Intuitive, as always.

Elara was very glad for it. Lady Evelina had married the recruit Sir Gareth, bringing along her maid, Amalia, who was now married to Gareth’s friend Sir Roland. Before their arrival, no other women, save servants, had resided at Blackwood. After the previous master of horsemanship was killed in battle and Sir Gareth took his place, he became a colleague to Elara, and his wife, a trusted confidant.

“I am,” she said simply. And since such reticence was not in her nature, even if most people would describe Elara as reserved, she asked a question of her own. “How did the four of you become such close friends?”

It was well-known that Gareth, Roland, Alden, and Darien had been inseparable from the start. Of course, many bonds of friendship had sprung up from such tight quarters and a shared goal such as that of their order, but the four mens’ bond seemed unique.

“We share similar values,” he said. “Admittedly, we are very different in many ways, but an opportunity arose for our loyalty to be tested.”

“Usually a virtue such as loyalty develops over time.”

His eyes did not wander. Despite the deep cut of her gown, they never veered downward. Alden was a gentleman, a fact that should not disappoint her. Yet Elara found herself wanting to take a step toward him. Wanting any hint of impropriety to rear its head even when it should not.

“As I said, my lady, opportunities arose that tested our loyalty, a virtue important to each of us.”

When Alden smiled, the effect was not lost on her. Steeling her shoulders back, Elara refused to give any hint how much so.

“Even Roland.”

She could not resist a small smile of her own. “He is . . . quite the figure.”

“A kind way of putting it.”

“Though it seems Lady Amalia has tamed him, if slightly.”

Roland was the unlikeliest member of their group of four. Though he had always been more interested in women than he’d been in his studies, Roland’s actions had also proven heroic in battle. And though that battle had been lost, Sir Roland proved himself to the order, and to Lady Amalia as well.

“In some ways, aye,” he said. “In others, Roland will never be tamed.”

“I should hope not,” she said. “His sword arm will be needed yet.”

“As all ours will be needed, with luck. This current stalemate is not ideal.”

“Nay,” she agreed. “It is not.” Elara cocked her head to the side. “Tell me, Master Alden. Why did you allow yourself to be recruited to us?”

“Simply Alden,” he said. “Though my father forges weapons for the royal family, he is no supporter of the king. He believes, as I do, it is Empress Matilda with the stronger claim. You could speak to Lord Stirling and Sir Eamon about how they learned of me, why they recruited me. As to your specific question, there are many reasons I accepted the charge.”

Elara could guess at them. “I have spoken to Sir Eamon about your recruitment,” she admitted.

“I assume you do as much with all recruits?”

Elara could lie. “Nay,” she said instead. “I do not.”

His lips parted, as if he would respond to her. Instead, he closed them.

What would it feel like to kiss those lips?

Alden would consume her, entirely and completely. She was certain of it.

“It pleases me to hear it,” he said.