Page 55 of Suddenly a Bride
He was perusing the message when Gwyneth strolled in. Her hair was still damp and her cheeks were still pink. They stared at each other awkwardly until Nell brought in another bowl of porridge.
Gwyneth took it and sat down near his elbow. Mrs. Haskell entered next, filling their goblets with wine before retreating silently.
“What are you reading?” Gwyneth asked when they were alone.
“A missive from the Richmond constable. ’Tis about your cousin Harold.”
She put down her spoon in surprise. “Elizabeth’s brother?”
“He is in jail.”
“Jail?”
“Does that surprise you?” he asked dryly.
“I only met him once or twice, but you mentioned before that you were familiar with him.”
“He and his brother, Kenneth, were very instrumental in my marriage to their sister. Of course they didn’t mean to be.”
“I do not understand,” she said slowly as she scrutinized him with her golden-brown eyes.
“Elizabeth told them that my friend Alex Thornton had compromised her and refused to marry her.”
“You mentioned this before, but not in any detail. I’m confused as to why she would do such a thing.”
“Alex’s brother is a viscount, and the family is old and noble, with plenty of land and money. I was a landless knight. Reason enough in her mind.”
His voice was a little sharper than he’d intended, but Gwyneth’s eyes had gone soft and sad again, and she laid her hand on top of his.
“How did the truth come out?” she asked.
“They tried to kidnap Alex, steal from him, humiliate him for what he had supposedly done to their sister. When I finally realized it was they who were following Alex about, I told them the truth. ’Tis how her family found out about me, and though they were angry, they had no choice but to agree to my offer of marriage.” He slid his hand out from beneath Gwyneth’s to eat, though his appetite had vanished. He hated having to tell her such a humiliating tale.
“Then why would Harold have the constable send news of his whereabouts to you?” she asked in surprise.
That was a perceptive question, one he couldn’t give his true thoughts on.
“Perhaps because he is only twenty miles away and hundreds from his family,” Edmund said. “Perhaps he was coming here because his father sent him. I don’t know. I only have to decide if I shall have him released from jail.”
Gwyneth picked at her food. “Do you know why he’s there?”
“The letter does not say.”
“Then I should go with you.”
He narrowed his eyes. “Why?”
“Because not only am I his cousin, it sounds like you might need me to help restrain your temper after all he’s done to you.”
He cocked a brow at her and leaned closer. “Do you think you could stop whatever I mean to do?”
“I can try. I certainly have no wish to visityouin jail.”
“Gwyneth—”
“Allow me to come. Richmond seemed lovely, and perhaps I could look at some of the shops while you talk some sense into Harold.”
He was about to refuse when he remembered where he was in their supposed relationship. He was giving her a chance, wasn’t he? Getting to know her. This trip would even allow him to further his scrutiny of her.
