Page 35 of Wolf's Keep

“Elise was the center of those boys’ world, the center of Jacques’ world. When she died, Jacques became a shell of the man he was. He retreated from life for a while and left those two boys grieving for their mother, facing the world alone. Oh, they had each other, and Gaharet tried to be so strong for D’Artagnon, but it was a hard time for them all.”

“What about Ulrik? Their friend?”

Anne shook her head. “His parents had sent him to Bretaigne over some trouble with Comte Lothair.”

“Oh.”

“When Jacques died less than a year after Elise, Gaharet had to step into his role as master of the keep. A lot of responsibility on top of his grief. He managed it, though. Takes his responsibilities very seriously, he does. He saw the way things had deteriorated while his father wallowed in his grief, and he refused to allow that to continue. I thought Jacques had strength, but Gaharet…” She sighed. “Well, he put his father to shame. And at that time he still had D’Artagnon.”

“He lost him, too?”

“Yes.Not two years later.”

Erin’s hands stilled, resting on the ball of dough. He’d lost his entire family in the space of a few years? What would that do to a man? And his childhood friend gone, living in another country.

“Did Ulrik ever return?”

“Oh, yes.” Anne shook her head. “But by then Ulrik had his own pain, and his own way of dealing with things. Gaharet did not approve. Their friendship paid the price. Things were never the same between those two again.” Anne passed her another ball of dough. “This is the last one,” she promised. “For Gaharet, rattling around alone in this keep, all that loss, the solitude, bearing the responsibility of it all on his own, it changed him. Stole all the laughter, all the joy from him. Breaks my heart to see it,” she said. “What he needs is a good woman by his side.” Anne looked directly at Erin, her meaning clear.

Erin nearly choked.

Hell no.

Erin started kneading again with renewed vigor. Was the universe plotting against her? She’d thought Anne would be on her side, not trying to get her into Gaharet’s bed. As his wife!

“I’m sure there are plenty of women vying to be Dame d’Louncrais. He’s wealthy, has a title. He’s got a lot going for him. Many a family would consider him a good marriage prospect.”

Not Erin. The whole idea was moot, anyway. She’d be gone soon, back home in her own century, and he’d be dead or dying in the cell beneath Langeais Keep. With or without her, history would plow on to its inexorable conclusion. As sad as that might be, she couldn’t allow herself to get involved. As soon as she could wring out of him the secrets of the amulet, she’d be gone.

“He is handsome, too.” Anne’s eyes twinkled and Erin’s ears flushed with heat.

“Well, I suppose so.” Erin shrugged, keeping her attention on the dough, pounding at it much harder than it warranted. “The women of the court might think so.”

Anne snorted. “One of those women would never catch his eye. The ladies of the comte’s court are all caught up in the traditions and expectations of society, of creating a match for their own advancement. They would play the role of dutiful wife well enough, but Gaharet wants more than that. Heneedsmore than that. Do not forget he has his parent’s marriage as an example, and he wants what his father had with his mother. You saw the wall hanging, heard the story.”

“I guess we all need something to aspire to,” muttered Erin, wishing Anne would let this go.

“He wants a woman to set his blood on fire. A woman who can hold her own with him, who is passionate about what she believes in. Someone that will lovehimand not all of this.” She swept her hand around, indicating the keep and all it encompassed.

Great. Just what Erin needed to hear—that Gaharet was a man searching for the love of his life.

“I think he needs someone with a bit of personality,” continued Anne, oblivious to Erin’s discomfort. “A woman with ideas of her own, who will challenge him, keep him on his toes, at least a little. It is not good to let the boy have his way all the time.”

Anne as her ally would be formidable. Against her, Erin didn’t stand a chance. No wonder Gaharet humored her. Anne used her will like a bulldozer. She needed to put a stop to this conversation. Right now.

“Anne, what’s the room on the top floor for?” She rushed the words out before she thought too much about the consequences of asking and changed her mind. “The one beside the armory with locks on both sides of the door?”

“Ah.” Anne smiled. “Nowthatis what I am talking about. Not afraid to speak your mind, are you, child?”

Erin gritted her teeth. “Who did he confine in there?” she persisted. “And for how long? I saw the marks gouged out of the back of the door.”

Anne nodded. “That, my dear, is something you need to raise with Gaharet. Do not be afraid to ask him. It is something you will need to know when you decide to stay.”

“I’m not staying.”

Anne chuckled, her eyes full of mirth.

Why did everyone think she would want to stay?

---