Page 11 of A Husband for Esyllt
He made a gesture with his hand. “You don’t need to know why. But know that what happens between us in bed is nobody’s concern. I will never speak about it to anyone. For that samereason, everyone will think that I bedded you tonight. Please do not say anything to shatter the illusion.”
She would not, for it suited her fine to have everyone believe everything was going smoothly between her and Lord Sheridan. Now that she was married, she would do everything to let Gruffydd think she was going along with his plans.
It was her turn to pour herself a glass of wine. After a second’s hesitation, she filled Connor’s goblet again. The smile he gave made it clear he appreciated her efforts at behaving as a dutiful wife should in at least one respect.
“Why are you so bent on this union, since I am unsuitable in your eyes?”
His eyes gleamed. “A wife as beautiful as you are and as eager to be bedded is not what I would call unsuitable.”
The words made her flush crimson. He thought her beautiful...
Yes. And wanton, she reminded herself sternly, he had just told her as much.
“Are you not afraid I will throw myself at every man who takes my fancy if you think me eager to be bedded ?” she challenged.
“Should I be?” This time Connor’s eyes narrowed. He was not amused anymore.
Esyllt cursed herself. Why did she have to be so reckless all the time? On their first encounter she had given him the impression that she was a wanton, promiscuous woman, earlier tonight she had claimed to have killed her husband, and she had now all but announced her intentions to go and seduce every man who crossed her path. Quite an achievement.
“Of course you should not be worried. I shall be a faithful wife.”
The snort he gave was not encouraging to say the least. “You will allow me to reserve judgment on that.”
There was nothing else to say. She emptied her wine and watched him do the same.
“Now. My turn to ask questions,” he said gruffly. “Why did you wantmeto change my mind about our union? Why did you not refuse to marry me outright instead of trying to rid yourself of me on our first meeting? It would have been easier. You are no innocent maid, but a widow of considerable means and a mother, you have no father or brother to force your hand, you could have remained mistress of Esgyrn Castle on your own.”
Esyllt lowered her eyes. He was perceptive, much more than she had anticipated.
“It’s not that simple. Rich as I am, I am still a woman. Do not tell me that where you come from women are allowed to dictate their lives and go against the wishes of men without finding themselves accountable for their actions?”
“They’re not,” he agreed with a faint smile.
“And in that unstable climate, a union with an English lord is highly desirable, a good guarantee of safety. I don’t think I should need to tell you as much. All the local lords pressed me to accept your offer. I quickly saw I would not be able to withstand the pressure.”
A mere month after Gwyn’s death, Gruffydd had come knocking at her door, presenting his plans to her. That day, she had discovered her late husband’s friend’s true nature. He was cruel, greedy and dangerous. It had not taken her long to understand she had better go along with his plans and remarry. Had she been alone she might have had the strength to hold on a bit longer, but she had her daughter to worry about. She would not compromise Siân’s safety.
Connor closed his hand around the hilt of his sword. “Well, married we now are, so I suggest we learn to make the best of the bargain.” He arched a brow. “I have another question for you. Where is your daughter? I haven’t seen her around.”
“Siân?” She had, somewhat foolishly, hoped he wouldn’t know about her. But of course he would have asked questions about the woman he intended to marry and been told she had a young daughter. “She is at my mother’s.”
His eyes narrowed. “I see. You didn’t want her to meet the accursed English in general and me in particular. You were afraid for her safety.”
“Yes.” What was the point of lying, if he’d already guessed as much? But to her surprise, when she expected an outburst of rage, he nodded.
“You did well. There was no knowing what kind of man I would be. I would have done the same in your place. But I hope you will soon see that you can bring her back without worrying about the kind of treatment I would inflict on her. It must be hard for you to be away from her.”
“It is.” Esyllt didn’t know what to say. Why was he being so understanding and considerate where her daughter was concerned, when he had been so devious and cruel with her the previous night?
He nodded again, as if all his questions had been satisfactorily answered. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I did not get much sleep last night and I’m about to collapse.”
With those words, he sat on the edge of the bed to remove his boots as if it were the natural thing to do. Her heart skipped a beat.
“You are going to sleep here?” She had not imagined he would stay.
“Yes. I told you, I’m tired, I have no desire to be disturbed or worse, murdered by your men while I sleep,” he said, as he started to remove his tunic. “I do not think they will dare to come and find me in their mistress’ own bed, however.”
“So I am to be your protector?” The idea that the warrior towering over her relied on her for his safety was so ludicrousthat she could not help a note of amusement from creeping into her voice.
