Page 57 of The Herald's Heart
“Stupid? I don’t think so. A woman does not break a man’s balls out of affection. My remark may have stated the obvious, but I doubt anything I said was stupid.”
“Not that. I’m well aware she does not care for me. Your stupid comment was about me being in love.”
“Look me in the eye and deny it,” Amis challenged.
“Of course I deny it,” Fixing his gaze on his friend, Talon scoffed, but his glance faltered.
One corner of Amis’s mouth kicked up. “Why don’t I believe you?” He buried his nose in his tankard.
“I don’t know,” Talon muttered.
Amis lifted his head and smiled. “Perhaps, ’tis that, despite your excessive courtesy to women, you never became sottish over a female before or let your guard down so completely that any woman could fell you. I must meet this most unusual Larkin.”
The last time Talon had seen Amis, he was surrounded by females, charming each one with his looks and pretty manners. The Du Grace lands held an equally strong allure for women, so they clustered around Amis, angling for marriage until they discovered he was the second of three sons. The females who lingered stayed for the very good time he always showed his lady loves. Talon didn’t want his friend’s powerful attractive force directed at Larkin. She’d be unable to resist. Larkin was his, whether he loved her or not. “I’m afraid you don’t understand. The woman is claimed.”
Amis’s eyes widened, and he smiled. “I understand all too well, my friend. Fear not, I’ve no designs upon your Larkin. Still, I would like to meet her.”
“No doubt you’ll get your chance, but don’t expect me to make it easy.” Talon drained his ale and rose to leave. Despite Larkin’s disdain and the injury she’d done him, seeing her suddenly became imperative. But first he needed to enlist his friend’s help. Giving Amis a task would distract him from charming Larkin as well.
“Since you are come to help me, I need you to travel to Rosewood Castle and encourage Baron Le Hourde to present himself here in answer to my summons.”
“I can do that,” Amis said. “Did it occur to you that this baron may be avoiding your summons for a reason?”
“From the day I arrived here, I was suspicious of a man so reluctant to give his king’s herald an accounting of himself. The feeling has grown with the discovery of the earl’s body.”
“Then perhaps it would be useful if Baron Le Hourde thought me no friend to you. On the principle that the enemy of mine enemy is my friend, if I present myself as your rival in all things, he might be more inclined to share his reasons for failing to answer your summons.”
Would that work? Without knowing more of Le Hourde’s character, who could tell? “That is worth trying. I certainly have no better scheme in mind.”
“Then I shall head for Rosewood Castle. If I gain news or knowledge, I will carry it to you personally on the excuse that you insisted I report to you directly.”
Talon stared into his empty tankard. “Servants and others talk. You must keep up the appearance of being my rival even while you are here.” That meant Amis would pursue Larkin simply to cut out his supposed rival—if she could be persuaded to return to Hawksedge. Talon liked the idea no more than the first time it sprang to mind. But he would allow it in order to force Le Hourde’s hand and discover what he might know of the earl’s death.
He pushed his cup away and stood. “Come, Amis, I’ll ride to Rosewood with you, then go on to my own destination.”
“You’re going to see her, aren’t you?”
“She went to the local abbey. I shall bring her back where she belongs.” And bring himself some peace as well. Though how that was possible with all the trouble she caused him, he knew not. All he knew was he could not rest without her near to hand.
“I will pray for you.” Amis clapped Talon on the back.
God must have favored those prayers. Persuading Larkin to return to Hawksedge was easier than he imagined. All he’d had to do was give an abject apology and promise she could search the keep without restriction. But persuading her to share his bed was impossible. He brought her trinkets and flowers, played her songs when the evening meal was done, and generally made a fool of himself. She avoided any attempt on his part to touch or get close to her. She refused to even smile at him until he volunteered to help her find her marriage box. He made the offer just so he could keep her safe—they’d never identified her attacker—not because he thought to please her. And I am not the least happy I finally discovered something that prompts her smile.
• • •
She and Talon developed a routine of meeting to break their fasts in the morning, then setting immediately to work searching for the marriage box. He’d told her a rival herald, Sir Amis Du Grace, had arrived with news of King Edward’s impatience and how the knight had gone to Rosewood Castle to speak with Baron Le Hourde. Today, Talon had been called away to deal with some difficulty in the village, and Larkin worked alone until Cleve came into the room to announce that a Sir Amis had come in search of Sir Talon.
“Very well. Seat him before the fire in the great hall and ask Alice to provide refreshments. I will join him as soon as I remove the dust and dirt from my person.”
Cleve nodded and left.
Larkin sighed. She would get no more work done this day, and she had almost finished searching the keep’s uppermost level.
Making herself presentable took little time, and soon she entered the great hall. “Welcome, Sir Amis. Talon mentioned a friend was visiting nearby. I am sorry he is attending some matter in the village and is not here to greet you. I know he will regret missing your visit. How may I help you?”
She took a seat. More slightly built than Talon but still muscular, the man’s wheat-blond hair framed a chiseled face and striking green eyes. Had it not been for the laughter in his gaze, he might have passed for one of the angels. Gabriel perhaps, but more likely Raphael in his human form.
He tilted his head and considered her as well. His gaze lingered on her breasts. “Please let Talon know that I have been unable to meet with Baron Le Hourde. He left on a journey a day before I arrived but is expected to return soon. I will stay at Rosewood and wait for the baron there, but I did not wish to neglect my heraldric duty, even if I do believe Talon is somewhat over nice in his pursuit of details. I’m sure you must have experienced his stiff-rumped attitude on more than one occasion.”
