Page 61 of To Love

“Lila,” Elara said gently. “Please tell us all that you know. As I said, you will not be disciplined.” Please do not let her have been the one to start the fire. It would make Elara’s promise difficult to execute.

“I know not his motives. When I realized I was with child, Sir Aldric suggested we marry in secret.”

“You and Langley are . . . married?” Darien’s surprise was evident, understandably.

She nodded. “Aye. It is well-known that Sir Gareth and Lady Evelina married in Kindridge Moor. Aldric discovered it was Father Percival who performed the marriage ceremony.”

“He asked for leave,” Darien said, as if remembering. “To visit his ailing grandfather.”

“His grandfather was not ill?” Elara asked Lila, who shook her head.

“Nay. He was not.”

“Go on,” she prompted, wanting to understand the priest’s motives.

“The priest agreed, but there was a cost. He asked if I could read and write and told me he would send missives. That there would be, in his words, ‘small tasks’ for me to complete. And that I could not tell Aldric, or anyone. If I did so, he would declare the marriage null.”

“Aldric does not know?” Alden asked.

“Nay, he does not.” Tears began to well in her eyes once more. “I readily accepted the priest’s terms. I love Aldric, and do not wish to raise the babe alone. That he agreed to marry us . . .” She began to sob, pulling out a handkerchief from the folds of her simple pale blue gown. “I was so very happy. I never imagined . . . but his requests . . .”

Elara had but one question.

“Did you start the fire?”

The maid’s head shot up. “Nay, I did not. I would never, ever . . . My younger brother has not been well since he was born. The only time he is not agitated is when he is near horses. Aldric said he would get him one of his own. Show him how to ride it.—” She began to cry once again, this time, unable to talk as she did so.

To the men’s credit, none said a word. They waited, as Elara did, for the maid to calm. When she did, Elara continued to question her.

“Why does he wish to undermine our men?” she asked.

“You claim to love your husband.” Darien was becoming impatient. “Yet you undermine the very order he serves? Do you not realize you put his life at risk?”

Elara gave Darien a sharp glance. Lila would not hold up well to such questioning. In response, Roland crossed his arms, and Elara would have laughed, the movement akin to what a young child might do when not getting their way.

But she did not. There was little to laugh or smile about with this situation.

“I do love him,” Lila said finally. “I have been ill, unable to sleep. I had gone to the kitchens for peppermint when I saw Master Alden. But I got scared of him.” She faced him. “You saw me. And then I returned, having decided to seek Aldric out to tell him. I cannot keep this secret any longer. I am glad you know, but scared of what my husband will say. Scared that Father Percival will dissolve our marriage.”

In this, the maid’s words were true. It was clear the young woman was petrified.

“Why does he wish to undermine us?” Alden asked. Unlike Darien’s, his question was gently asked.

Lila blinked. “I do not know.” She buried her face in her hands, repeating the phrase. “I do not know,” she cried, and Elara found herself unable to watch her. The girl had not started the fire. Lila was nearly as much a victim as the others. Elara stood, went to her and placed her hand on the maid’s shoulder, rubbing small circles there.

“You are not alone with this secret any longer. We will handle Father Percival,” she said. “And you can be assured, your marriage will not be dissolved. I will ensure it myself.”

Lila shot up from her chair and tossed her arms around Elara. She could feel the woman’s heart racing against her own chest.

All of this occurred because she fell in love with a man.

A dangerous thing, to love.

Especially when it was the wrong man.

Chapter

Twenty-Five