Page 36 of To Desire

Theirs was not the only forbidden union that had come about since the men were recruited here. Alden was now wed to the Strategies instructor, a tricky situation for certain. Less shockingly, Roland was wed to Lady Evelina’s former maid, a woman Liana was most anxious to speak with. Apparently, Amalia was a healer who even owned her own herb shop in the village.

When Darien had first told her the story, Liana’s mind had wandered as she considered their own situation. If an earl’s son, Sir Roland, could wed a healer and former maid . . . but nay, their situation was quite different. Perhaps if Liana was simply a healer, the difference in their stations would not matter. But she was not. In the eyes of the people of Ely, Liana and her mother were dangerous women already, “witches” if rumor was true.

The men’s chatter died as they stepped into the keep and were greeted by an older gentleman who looked to be a servant of some sort.

“Pembroke,” Darien said. “I would like you to meet my guest, Mistress Aeliana Fletcher. Pembroke,” he said to her, “is the steward at Castle Blackwood.”

“Pleased to meet you,” the man said, his tone formal. Before she could respond, the steward said to Darien, “We do not have guests at Blackwood, Sir Darien.”

“I am aware. If you would fetch Sir Eamon, we will be in . . .” He looked at the men.

“My private quarters,” Gareth finished. “Please send a tray of food for two as well.”

Though not pleased with the order, Pembroke hurried off.

“Quickly.” Gareth led the way as their party of five followed. Liana, feeling as out of place as she’d expected, trailed behind the others. They walked through the dimly lit corridors of Castle Blackwood. Flickering torches cast long shadows across stone walls, the scent of damp stone and aged wood filling the air. As narrow passageways twisted and turned, Darien continued to look back, presumably ensuring she was still behind them.

Liana’s footsteps echoed softly, and though she stayed at the back, she could feel the weight of the castle’s history, and its role in England’s future, pressing down on her with each step.

They were let into Gareth’s chamber, one even larger than at Stanford Manor. A large wooden table dominated the room, covered with maps, scrolls, and a few well-worn books, evidence of his duties as an instructor. A door opened opposite where they’d entered, and a woman appeared, likely from the adjoining bedchamber.

Lady Evelina.

She was as lovely, and regal, as Darien had described. The woman’s gaze rested firmly on Liana. As the door closed behind them, and Darien introduced her, Lady Evelina appeared as confused as the others. They sat around the table, Liana beside Darien, but before they could begin, the door opened once again to an extremely intimidating-looking man.

“I would expect no less,” the newcomer said to Darien, and then looked to Liana. “You must be his guest.”

It was hard to discern beneath his beard, but it seemed to Liana the man smiled slightly as he sat.

“Mistress Aeliana Fletcher,” Darien said. “This is Sir Eamon Thorne.”

“A pleasure,” she said.

The instructor nodded. “Your food is being prepared. Now.” He clasped his hands together, sat back and winked to Lady Evelina, his daughter. “Darien? Explain.”

Darien looked at her.

She wanted to nod. To give him permission, one he had already, to share her story. Instead, Liana froze. So few people knew of her true nature, and even though Darien trusted those around this table, she knew them not. Her ancestors had been persecuted. Even without the knowledge of her skills, some of the villagers in Crimson Hollow avoided Liana. Looked at her, and her mother, as if they had done something very wrong when, in truth, it was their solemn vow and life’s purpose to do the opposite.

Darien looked into her eyes. She willed her cheeks not to sting with the threat of tears.

He trusts them, so I must as well.

Despite all they’d been through to reach Castle Blackwood, Liana was most scared at this moment. They could not take the words back.

Darien leaned forward and whispered, for her alone to hear. “They will accept you. I know ’tis scary, but we are not our parents. Let us forge our own path.”

He had said as much earlier in the day when Liana and Darien discussed the matter, conveniently avoiding all talk of their kisses and of Liana’s visions. She trusted him.

Liana nodded.

“My father, as you know, called me home. The reason was . . .” He cleared his throat. It was difficult to detect, Darien as confident sounding as ever, but he was as apprehensive as Liana about revealing this information. “Liana comes from a long line of seers who have been advising the earls of Ellsworth for centuries.”

He let that information penetrate.

Surprisingly, none seemed appalled at Darien’s revelation, simply curious.

“Few know of this. Liana and her mother have reputations in Ely as healers. It is the reason we have often been on the right side of history. Why Ely has avoided conflict and⁠—”