Page 28 of A Husband for Esyllt
“Do not pride yourself on the fact. I could have married her myself. God knows I thought about it often enough.”
Esyllt sensed Connor had turned to face her, but she could not look at him. She was too busy staring at the Welshman in open-mouthed astonishment. This was the first time she had heard about a possible union between the two of them. Was it true he’d considered making her his wife, or was he making it up to earn himself some legitimacy over the Englishman? Perhaps. In any case, the idea of her being married to the old goat sent shivers up her spine. Welsh as he was, he would prove an awful husband.
As if guessing she needed some support to stop herself from crumbling, Connor placed a hand on the small of her back. She barely refrained from sagging against him in thanks. Never had any show of unity been more appreciated.
“You might have almost married her but you did not,” he said, putting an end to the loathsome matter. “Idid. And now she’s my wife. You had better remember it.”
Esyllt shivered again. He sounded fierce, proprietary, but not in a worrying way, rather as if he were proud to call her his, and would do anything to protect her.
Gruffydd, who was not a fool for all his bluster, did not miss the veiled threat and stayed silent. Despite the frosty atmosphere, something warm bloomed inside Esyllt. Whatever their disagreements in private, in public Connor would stand by her whenever the need arose. The hand on her back slid lower, spreading the warmth even further.
“I believe the two of you were finished?” His tone made it clear it was not a question.
She nodded, eager to escape the Welshman’s oppressive presence. “Yes, we were.”
With luck, that would be the last she saw of the man.
Chapter Eight
“Are you waiting until my brother has sired an heir on you to kill him?”
Shock caused Esyllt to swivel round. Matthew was leaning against the wall, his arms crossed over his chest. A smirk was floating on his lips. How had she thought that he would leave her alone after the confrontation with Branwen the day before?
“K-kill him?” she stammered.
“Don’t look so shocked, lady. Connor told me what you did to your first husband. I wasn’t overly surprised, I must say. Except for one thing, that you actually told him.” He tilted his head in what could have passed as respect if she hadn’t known he despised her.
“Oh, you think I should have let him think I was a meek, harmless woman?” she snapped. The man grated on her nerves and she didn’t see why she should spare him from her ire, or tell him the truth about Gwyn’s death.
“It would have been wiser, though I am not sure how long the pretense would have held. You don’t have a meek bone in your body, that much is clear, and I’m not sure you’re harmless.” Henodded as if pondering the matter. “So what will you do to him? Dispose of him once he has given you the son you need to replace him?”
“You are a fool if you think I will discuss this with you.”
But the question made Esyllt think. Evidently, and despite their closeness, Connor had not told his brother that they had yet to consummate their marriage properly. Neither of their scandalous encounters could have led to a pregnancy, but Matthew seemed to believe that she was in a position to fall with child, an assumption she didn’t want to contradict. He would only use it against her, attributing Connor’s failure to consummate the marriage to a fault on her part.
“Fortunately for him, my brother seems incapable of fathering anything other than girls, so you might have to wait a while until you are rid of him.”
Girls.
Esyllt’s heart sank. Jane was the only child he had brought home. She had jested about him bringing his other children to her, not thinking he would actually have any. Now she knew different. Just how many by-blows did Connor have, scattered along the width and breadth of England? She gritted her teeth. This was not a discussion she was prepared to have, least of all with a man who would enjoy her discomfiture. He wanted to hurt her. Why else would he have brought up such a painful topic?
“If you will excuse me, I have other things to do than stay here and listen to your insults.” She made to walk past him, fully expecting him to try and stop her. It did not surprise her therefore when he took hold of her arm. “Kindly let me pass,” she demanded, doing her best not to flare up. Who did he think he was? She was in her own castle, and Connor’s wife, not his. He had no right to detain her.
“My brother is being too soft on you. Your womanly charms cloud his judgment. It is understandable, I suppose, since you are uncommonly pretty.” Matthew leaned in closer. “But I will not make the same mistake. You do not sleep in my bed and therefore are not in a position to lull me into submission with your wiles.”
Connor, submissive! She actually snorted. The man was the epitome of the dominant male. How could his brother doubt it?
“I do no such thing!” Was everyone determined to consider her a fast woman using her body to gain what she wanted? Could they not see she would have no idea where to start, even supposing such an idea had crossed her mind?
“I will be watching you, Lady Sheridan. Very closely. You are bound to make a mistake sooner or later.”
Esyllt felt tears sting her eyes but didn’t want to let him suspect him how much his insults had hurt her. She straightened her spine. “I asked you to release me, I believe.”
“You are?—”
“Matthew. If you do not unhand my wife on the instant, I will make you wish you had stayed in England.”
Esyllt turned in time to see Connor amble into the room. The look on his face was calm but deadly. It was just like it had been with Gruffydd the previous day. How was he always at hand to offer his help? Was it mere coincidence or was he actually spying on her because he was as suspicious of her as his brother? She had never wondered about it before but in that moment she did not care. The important thing was that she would be free from Matthew’s venom.
