Page 26 of To Desire

“I support the rightful ruler of England,” he said. “And will be moving along. Now.”

That last word was not said like the others. It was a command. A warning. One, despite their being three men to Darien’s one, they heeded.

Liana had lifted her hood when they first stopped. As she and Darien rode forward, she looked down, not willing to give any further reason for questioning. It seemed to work. Nothing more was said as she and Darien moved past them. Eventually, when it felt like they were far enough along, she removed her hood.

And stared at her companion.

“They were terrified of you,” she said. “And maybe I was a little too.”

“You never have cause to be afraid of me, Liana.”

“I know as much,” she reassured him. “But it was . . . not you back there. At least, it was not the man I’ve come to know.”

When he smiled at her, Liana forgot instantly about that other Darien. The one that had struck fear in three armed knights.

“I am both men,” he said. “And am fortunate to have my bow arm to back up any claim I may have had against their attacks.”

In other words, he could have done precisely as he’d threatened.

“How did you come to be so proficient with the bow? As they say, ’tis not typically a nobleman’s choice of weapon.”

“Do you remember, years ago, the Solstice Festival?”

“Of course,” she said. “Everyone in Ely looked forward to it. If not for that festival, I’d never have seen the inside of the castle walls. I remember, as a child, the first time the drawbridge was lowered. It was an exciting time, and one I cherish as my father was still alive.”

“There, a young knight had heard of the festival and came to Ellsworth Castle to partake in the festivities. When he won the archery contest so easily, my father asked if he might stay to train me. It was lucky that he had come and agreed to stay.”

“I do not believe it luck at all,” Liana said as the sound of running water reached them. Another river ahead, and hopefully one they would not need to cross. “He was meant to be there. To train you. For you to become the greatest archer in all of England.”

“I am not⁠—”

“You are. All know it. Those men knew it.”

Darien’s skepticism was apparent, but his humility only added to his appeal. They rode in silence, her compliment having an effect she had not anticipated. At times, he opened to her, but most often, the elusive earl’s son was in full evidence.

“Your reputation for being secretive seems warranted at times to me. Yet at others, you surprise me with your forthrightness. You are an enigma to me, Sir Darien of Crimson Hollow.”

“I am an enigma? If ever a woman embodied the word, ’tis you, my lady.”

She did not agree.

“Why,” she asked, the question popping into her mind, “did the Solstice Festival end? I remember it so fondly.”

Darien stared straight ahead. For a moment, she thought he might not answer. But then, as the river came into view and Darien slowed as they approached it, he turned toward her.

“It was my mother’s crowning jewel. She loved to plan it. To bring all of the villagers into the castle walls and make all of Ely feel welcome. When she died . . .”

Liana had been too young to make the connection between the festival’s ending and his mother’s death. “I am sorry,” she said, wishing she’d not asked.

“Do not be sorry for what cannot be changed. The past is past.”

His words were very true. “Perhaps it is a tradition you can begin again?”

“Perhaps.”

He was looking at her oddly as they came to a stop.

“What is it?” she asked.