When Brother Thomas slipped into the chapel and smiled at the entire assembly, Brianna’s heart began to hammer. For if the monk was here from Endlist Priory, then the man sent to retrieve him must also be returned.
She peeked to the back of the chapel, her heart leaping when she found not only Luc standing there, but his blue, blue gaze fixed upon her. Brianna felt herself flush, noted her father’s glance to her and thence to the back of the chapel.
“Hmmm,” Connor murmured, and Brianna did not miss his sharp look her way. She held up her chin, but could not stop anticipation from flooding through her.
Luc had returned!
Finally. Brianna had spent all of the previous evening hoping for his reappearance in the hall.
At least, she had done so when she had not been run ragged with making arrangements for Ismay’s funeral. Much to Brianna’s surprise, Dermot had no more than a perfunctory interest in such matters and it had been left to her to decide.
Since Ismay’s holding was lost and the new lord there as yet unknown, Brianna and Uther concluded that Ismay should be buried in the cemetery of the Tullymullagh parish church. If she could be moved later to join the remainder of her family, ’twould be done then.
Truly, the management of a keep was a task like no other. Until these past few days, Brianna had had no idea how hard Uther labored. ’Twas interesting to plan menus and assess inventory, far more fascinating than merely plying a needle at embroidery.
Brianna felt that she was truly contributing to the household and possessed new satisfaction in her role. She owed a debt to Luc for his prompting her to do more.
Aye, Brianna’s anxiety to see him could only be because she wished to tell him as much. She tapped her toe impatiently as Father Padraig lingered over the Mass and fairly fled when he breathed the last “amen.”
Her father took due note of her hasty departure, she knew.
But Brianna found ’twas no easy task to make her way to the back of the chapel when all else proceeded the same way. Brianna exchanged more than one glance of exasperation with the man she would meet, her heart pounding when he resolutely waited for her.
No sooner had Brianna come within a few steps of Luc, than Uther waylaid her. She heaved a sigh of frustration and felt herself flush when Luc’s smile broadened in understanding.
Silently, Brianna urged Uther to hasten himself.
“My lady, I had considered that due to lack of suitable space within the keep, Ismay might lay in the parish church itself until the funeral on Tuesday,” Uther declared. “If you are amenable.” He guided Brianna firmly through the chapel doors and toward the castle gates, while she cast an appealing glance back to Luc.
Luc shook his head, strolling behind Brianna’s group with casual ease. It could be no accident he lingered so close. Could Luc be as interested in speaking with Brianna as she was in speaking with him?
The very prospect made Brianna lose the thread of whatever Uther told her.
“My lady!” Cook called from the other side of the assembly. “When you have a moment, I should like to review the menu for the week.”
“And perhaps check the tallies for the week?” interjected Uther. “There is still the issue of Gavin’s concern with the spice inventory.”
“My lady, what garb shall we make ready for the funeral?” Fenella chimed in.
Brianna had thought no further than how quickly she might be finished with her growing list of responsibilities when Gavin cried out.
“Burke!” he roared. “ ’Tis Burke!”
All spun to watch the mercenary dart as well as he was able to the gate of the churchyard. Gavin’s heavy features were transformed with glee when he turned back to the assembly and pointed triumphantly to Tullymullagh’s gate.
“Burke is returned!”
Brianna immediately spotted a knight astride the midnight stallion, waiting just outside Tullymullagh’s gates.
Brianna felt her lips part in dismay and her blood run chill. Burke could not be back so soon! She glanced to Luc, only to find his expression grimly fixed on the gates.
What was she to do? Luc had told her to accept Burke’s suit, indeed he had insisted ’twas the choice to make. Brianna knew Luc’s counsel was good, yet still she hesitated to do his bidding.
For if Luc’s kisses had awakened her to the touch of men, why did Ruarke’s touch leave her cold?
Aye, what if Brianna did not feel the same fire from Burke’s touch as she felt from Luc’s?
What if Brianna could not come to love Burke, despite Luc’s endorsement of his brother?
The very prospect was terrifying. ’Twas everything Brianna had sworn not to endure! Her own defiance warred with her trust of Luc’s judgement.
Was she merely avoiding what was best for her, simply for the sake of calling her own tune? If she declined Burke, would she regret her choice? Had Luc not already known better than she?
Brianna wished fervently that she could talk to Luc but once more. Just for a moment. He would aid her to make a sensible choice, Brianna knew it well.
Aye, it might well be that the response to men he had awakened now slumbered once more and her flesh would not tingle beneath Luc’s touch either.
Oh! How Brianna wished she knew more of such matters!
And ’twas too late to consult with Luc.
The assembly surged forward and began to chatter merrily, carrying Brianna in their enthusiastic tide. Denis ran to take the steed’s reins, Burke dismounted, and Gavin clapped his returning son upon the back. Connor smiled with anticipation as he offered Brianna his elbow and hastened her onward.
The moment of decision was upon her.
And Brianna did not know what she should do. In the absence of her own decisiveness, she took a deep breath and resolved to put her faith in Luc’s assessment.
She would laugh at whatever Burke brought.
By the time she was seated in the hall, Brianna’s heart was racing. She sat between her sire and Gavin on the dais, her hands clenched together in her lap. Her fingers were cold, her palms were damp, but she held her chin high.
A hard lump took residence in Brianna’s throat, she ached with awareness of Luc standing at the back of the hall. But one glimpse had been enough of his grim countenance. His arms were folded across his chest, his gaze bored into Brianna as though he would will her to heed his counsel.
Aye, she was so agitated, she knew any laughter that broke from her lips would sound fey. Surely, none would be fooled?
One part of her hoped that Burke had truly brought something amusing.
Another part only wanted the moment behind her, the issue resolved.
But Luc was relying upon her to use the wits God had granted her. And Brianna did not want to disappoint him.
Uther cleared his throat and the chattering in the hall ceased expectantly. Every face turned toward the dais, every visage was bright with curiosity. Brianna gripped her own fingers tightly.
“Lords and ladies, people of Tullymullagh.” The steward spoke in his most authoritative tone and the last of the murmuring fell silent. “Not even a week has passed since we assembled within this very hall to hear the challenge of the princess Brianna for Gavin Fitzgerald’s three sons. As well you may recall, the lady requested each son to bring her a gift, a gift intended to make her laugh, and pledged she would wed the man who made her laugh loudest and longest.”
The crowd nodded approvingly and nudged each other as they looked at Burke. He stood patiently to one side, a massive saddlebag at his feet. Brianna thought it moved of its own accord, but when she looked again, ’twas still.
She swallowed and gripped her fingers more tightly. Luc’s determination seemed to bear down upon Brianna but her heart pounded with trepidation.
What if she could not love Burke? What if she never felt more for him than she did at this moment? He was a complete stranger to her, despite Luc’s endorsement.
“And now,” Uther continued, “the first of those sons is returned. Chevalier Burke de Montvieux comes with a gift for our princess fair. Let us see how well he succeeds at coaxing the lady’s laughter.”
Burke bowed slightly at this introduction, acknowledging the applause that swept through the hall. “I thank you for such a welcome,” he said smoothly, though his deep tones prompted no response from Brianna.
She bit her lip, knowing full well that if it had been Luc before her, but one glance from him would have sent a quiver dancing through her.
Brianna glanced to that man, still at the back of the hall, and felt that very quiver.
Meanwhile, Gavin’s favored son crossed the room with easy grace, his saddlebag perched on his hip. The troubadours poked their noses out of the assembly and avidly whispered details to each other. Brianna forced herself to look at the man before her instead of watching Luc.
This Burke was a handsome man, she supposed. His nose was too small to have much character, to her mind. And the silver hair threaded through the ebony at his temples was rather too predictable for her taste.
She found it hard to believe that he truly could surprise her.
As Luc did.
Would Burke challenge her, question her, compel her to use her wits? Would Burke agree to all Brianna asked, or would he insist she have good reason for asking it of him? Would his kisses make her tingle, his touch make her shiver?
Brianna could hardly believe as much.
She wondered anew what Luc would have brought her, if indeed he had deigned to depart on her quest. There, she was certain, would have been something of considerable interest.
“I am certain Burke has found the perfect gift,” Gavin growled on Brianna’s one side.
Brianna was not nearly so convinced.
Burke’s saddlebag wriggled quite definitely as he set it upon the floor with care. Fenella, near beside him, peeked under the flap and giggled.
Brianna bit her lip and tried to convince herself to do as Luc had bidden her. The assembly leaned closer in anticipation.
“My lady Brianna,” Burke said solemnly and bowed impeccably low. “This gift is for you and I hope that it will bring delight.”
Brianna could not help but notice that Burke looked as though he hoped precisely the opposite. His very manner was indifferent beyond all and she sat back with a slight frown.
’Twas one thing to wed a stranger upon the advice of one she trusted. ’Twas quite another to wed a stranger indifferent to the prospect of those nuptials. Aye, if Burke wanted to win her hand, he ought to show some enthusiasm!
If the man was not enamored of the thought of wedding Brianna, she could not imagine she would win his attention in the wake of the deed.
’Twas clear enough that Luc did not know his brother’s heart.
But, mercifully, Brianna had discerned the truth in time. In the blink of an eye, she resolved not to laugh.
Regardless of what this man had brought to her. Brianna took a deep breath, entangled her fingers, and sat ramrod straight.
Burke bent and, with nary a glance Brianna’s way, opened the flap with a flourish.
Then, the overly large noses of three young wolfhound puppies appeared in unison, the dogs blinking at the sudden light. The women in the assembly cooed, the men snorted, and Brianna sat back with a barely restrained sigh of relief.
Dogs might be amusing, but they were not that funny. This she could manage.
As though it had heard her thoughts, one dog erupted from the bag and attacked Fenella’s hem. The maid squealed and danced back, the pup stumbled over its own ungainly paws. The second pup leapt after the first and tackled it. They rolled into a tangle of soft fur, wet noses, and massive feet, coming to an abrupt halt against Dermot’s foot.
That man smiled coolly, then obviously aware of the crowd’s eyes upon him, bent and tentatively scratched one puppy’s ear. Brianna could tell that ’twas not a comfortable gesture for him and wondered whether Dermot disliked small creatures.
The dog, however, was oblivious to any reservation on Dermot’s part. It leaned back and promptly lost its balance, rolling bonelessly to its back. The assembly chuckled. The second pup climbed shamelessly over the first to be scratched in turn.
Dermot’s touch behind this puppy’s ear sent the small creature into throes of pleasure. Its back leg working vigorously, its large paw thumping its fallen brethren in the nose. The first dog yelped, then clambered to its feet, and gave that offending foot a vigorous chomp.
Chuckles echoed around the hall. The second pup yowled, the two began a merry chase. They dodged knees and tables, ducked beneath skirts, scattered the rushes, and generally set everything to chaos. Brianna sat stone-faced while the assembly laughed lightly at the puppy’s antics.
Brianna was not even tempted to smile.
The third pup, no longer the center of attention, pushed a cautious nose out of the saddlebag. It had evidently been watching from within the security of the bag, for when it trotted out, it headed straight for Dermot.
But it wanted Dermot’s leg, not his finger.
And ’twas a male.
Dermot inhaled sharply when the pup latched onto his shin with vigor and began to hump. The assembly howled while Dermot tried to shake the amorous pup loose without success.
Fenella fought against her own laughter even as she bent to aid the beleaguered Dermot, but to no avail. Denis laughed so hard that he had to wipe away tears from his eyes. Burke strode across the floor and lent his assistance, but the pup was naught if not determined.
’Twas Dermot’s horrified expression that was nearly Brianna’s undoing. She bit her lip painfully against her own laughter and clutched her fingers more tightly together.
She would not laugh.
Connor finally let out a hoot of laughter when the pup finished his deed. For when Burke scooped up the dog, the pup’s souvenir upon Dermot’s chausses was clear to view. Dermot’s eyes looked as though they would drop from his head, he was so appalled.
The assembly nigh rolled upon the floor. Ruarke slapped his thigh, Gavin chortled, even Father Padraig made some sound that might have passed for laughter. Brianna bit her lip to keep back her own.
But she managed the deed.
Within moments, the din had settled, the pups were back in the saddlebag and Burke was bowing low. He did not look the least bit disappointed by his failure and Brianna knew she was not the only one to note that fact.
She had made the right choice.
Burke had barely straightened before Gavin erupted from his seat, his pointed finger shaking with fury as he shouted at his favored son. “You! I would talk with you! Now!”
Burke’s eyes flashed, then he inclined his head to his sire, the very image of elegance and deference. Any hint of his anger was gone as the knight pivoted smoothly to follow his sire’s bidding.
Gavin’s departure was in marked contrast to his son’s grace, both from his distinctive hobble and his obviously poor temper. The hall fell into awkward silence as they left, then conversation and speculation swelled to a roar.
Brianna smiled with satisfaction. She sought Luc’s gaze once more, only to find that he had slipped from the hall.
Aye, he could not have discerned Burke’s indifference from the back of the hall. And he might well be displeased by her decision to ignore his advice. Brianna had to talk to Luc, she had to explain her choice.
Brianna was certain Luc would understand once she voiced her doubts.
He was a man of good sense, after all.
“Well done!” Ruarke declared as he came to lean against the dais. He winked as he grinned up at her and Brianna wondered why her sire’s champion would be so concerned for her nuptials.
Then her sire’s words stole away her thoughts. “You were not amused by the pups?” Connor laid his bent hand over Brianna’s own and gave her fingers a squeeze. “This Burke is Gavin’s heir, child.”
Brianna patted her sire’s arm with confidence. “He seemed little enough interested in me, Father. Indeed, I know naught of the manner of man Burke is, much less whether he is my own true love.”
Connor sobered and his voice dropped low. “Child, you must not put too much stock in such whimsy. A man and a woman can find love between them, even if their match is arranged.”
“Perhaps they do, Father,” Brianna conceded with a smile. “But I will not take that risk.”
Connor’s glance was compelling. “Have you found this one true love whom you seek so diligently? Is there a man who stands beside you with honor, ready to defend what you hold dear? A man you trust beyond all others and upon whose word you can rely?”
Brianna stared into her father’s concerned eyes and her mouth went dry. There was such a man, a man whose company she sought, a man whose word of honor she could trust, a man who treated her with respect.
A man whose kisses enflamed her.
“Have you, Brianna?” Ruarke demanded silkily when she said naught.
Brianna blinked, certain only that she had to talk to Luc.
Immediately.
“I—I do not know,” she managed to say, hoping her tone was light. Brianna smiled pertly, squeezed her sire’s fingers, then slipped from her chair, and quickly crossed the hall.
Luc would be in the orchard, she guessed, and turned her steps in that direction. Aye, Luc would be irked with her, there was little doubt of that, but Brianna knew she could make him understand.
And she owed him no less than four kisses, after all.
Her heart skipped a beat, her feet flew in anticipation. So occupied was she with her thoughts that Brianna did not see Ruarke scowl far behind her.
Nor did she see her sire frown, then gather his robes to lend chase.
The wave of relief that swept over Luc when Brianna did not laugh had been dizzying. Indeed, he had left the hall for a breath of fresh air in an attempt to clear his head.
The lady had spurned Burke, and now Luc had need of a plan.
He headed for the orchard, struggling to think of some way to make Brianna laugh. The pups had been amusing, he knew, though ’twas Dermot’s predicament that tempted Luc’s own chuckle.
Brianna had sat impassive, though, throughout. It seemed the lady clung to her conviction to wed only for love.
And Luc knew well enough how stubborn she could be. He frowned at the apple trees, uncertain how he might circumvent that obstacle. Aye, he could well imagine that Brianna would ensure she did not laugh at any jest he made.
If Brianna guessed Luc’s intent—and the lady was not weak of intellect—she might even avoid him.
And that would serve naught.
But how to make Brianna laugh? Luc paced and puzzled. Unlike Rowan, he did not have a store of humorous tales, nor an arsenal of amusing tricks he could perform. He had been spared his brother’s upbringing among troubadours and entertainers and only now felt the lack.
Luc froze as he realized his own folly.
For if Brianna desired a man to keep her amused, then Burke was not the brother whose gift she awaited. ’Twas Rowan who could coax a smile from a stone; ’twas Rowan who could keep Brianna laughing for the rest of her days. And the very nature of Brianna’s quest hinted at the import of merriment in her life.
Rowan might return at any moment.
Luc’s heart clenched at the possibility, even as he spun to eye the vacant gates. Nay! He had to win Brianna! He had to surprise her, conjure her laugh, then make her his bride, even if he knew not how to begin.
Then, once all was resolved, Luc could set to the task of winning Brianna’s heart.
“Luc!”
He spun to find the lady in question running across the bailey to him. Her eyes sparkled, she had gathered her fine skirts in fistfuls, her legs flashed beneath the hems. Her veil had slipped askew, her smile made Luc’s heart begin to pound.
It had been but a day, and he had missed her sorely.
“I did not laugh!” she confessed with breathless delight when she came to a halt before him.
Nay she had not. In the wake of his relief, Luc decided ’twas as good a time as any to discover what the lady found amusing.
“And why did you not?”
Brianna laid a small hand upon his arm and leaned closer, a waft of her beguiling perfume making Luc’s toes curl within his boots. Ye gods, had he ever desired a woman more?
“Luc, you must not be angered with me,” she said hastily and Luc could not imagine why he might even consider the possibility. “I know you advised me to accept Burke and I tried to follow your counsel, I truly did, but you must believe that ’tis not because I distrust you that I did not laugh.”
Luc blinked as he tried to make sense of this unexpected revelation. What counsel?
Brianna heaved a sigh, her fingers kneading the cloth of Luc’s chemise. She flicked an appealing glance his way. “But I could not do it! Burke was so indifferent.” She took a hasty breath. “I know you could not discern as much from the back of the hall.”
Ah! Luc had advised her to wed Burke.
He had forgotten.
And Brianna had nearly done it, on his counsel alone.
Brianna rolled her eyes. “Luc, ’tis one matter that Burke is a stranger, though ’tis one mitigated by your reference to his character, but if he is disinterested in the match—” she leaned closer, her fingers tightening on his arm, her eyes wide with concern “—then how might love bloom between us after the nuptials?”
Ye gods, but Luc had nearly brought disaster upon his own intentions, without ever meaning to do so!
But all the same, there was something encouraging in the very fact that Brianna had heeded him. Luc had to hear that fact fall again from her lips.
He captured her hand beneath his own and stilled its agitated movement. “You truly thought to accept Burke, merely upon my advice?”
“Aye.” Brianna smiled with a shyness that wrenched Luc’s heart. “You were most certain that he is a man of honor and the one I should choose. Indeed, Luc, Burke is no stranger to you.”
To think that Luc had nearly lost Brianna because of his own misguided advice! One day, if all came aright, Luc knew he would find the matter amusing.
In this moment, though, he was seized with an urgency to take advantage of his chance.
But how to make the lady laugh?
“You must not be insulted,” Brianna urged, obviously misinterpreting Luc’s silence. “ ’Tis not because I do not trust you.”
Luc captured both of her hands within his own and leaned toward her with intent. “My lady,” he murmured, his voice thrumming low with affection. “Make no mistake, I am most delighted that you did not laugh.”
Brianna blinked in evident confusion. Then she frowned. “But, you counselled me—”
“I did.”
“But …”
Luc could not resist the ripe curve of Brianna’s lips any longer. He laid one finger across their fullness to silence her protest, his loins tightening at the soft touch of them beneath his finger. “Aye, but I erred,” he admitted. “I am most relieved you did not take my advice.”
“You erred!” Brianna’s eyes flashed dangerously as she shoved Luc’s fingertip away. “You erred and you did not see fit to tell me?” She jabbed an angry finger in the direction of the hall, then railed at Luc. “I might have laughed apurpose! I would have been compelled to wed that man as a result! And you tell me merely that you erred?”
“I am sorry,” Luc began in all sincerity, but got no further.
“Sorry? Sorry?” Brianna turned that finger upon him and beat a staccato in the midst of Luc’s chest. “And what is that worth if I were to wed the wrong man? You should have come to me immediately and set this matter to rights!”
“My lady, I tried to speak with you this morn but you were busy—”
“Too busy to be concerned about the remainder of my life?” Brianna snorted with indignation. “I should think not!” She folded her arms across her chest and regarded Luc haughtily. “You, sir, owe me an apology.”
Luc shoved a hand through his hair, then nodded. “ ’Tis true enough,” he conceded. “And I am sorry. ’Twas my intent to speak with you upon my arrival, but events conspired against me. I am also glad that you are a woman of such good sense.”
Brianna sniffed as though she fought to remain cool. But the quick glance she fired at Luc revealed that she was touched by his apology.
And the fact that she did not leave him be was most encouraging.
Perhaps he might make the most of this. There was more than one way to cajole a smile from a lady. “Though ’tis true that you yet owe me four kisses, my lady,” he reminded her with a smile. “Shall we settle all our obligations this very morn?”
“Oh!” Twin spots of color burned in Brianna’s cheeks.
Luc grinned. She was not immune to him, by any means, nor to even the prospect of his kisses.
That could only be a good sign.
Brianna retreated half a dozen steps and glared at Luc, her veil slipping farther askew. “You are incorrigible!” she charged heatedly. “And demanding. And disrespectful. And, and …”
Luc folded his arms across his chest to regard her with good humor. “And dare I hope, interesting?” He arched a brow as Brianna sputtered. “Intriguing? Challenging?” Luc paused for a heartbeat and deliberately met the lady’s gaze.
“Or perhaps amusing?”
Brianna gasped, then caught the tail of her fury once more. “How could you possibly be amusing? You have no interest in making me laugh, you refused to depart on my quest, you refused to bring me a gift, you refuse to do anything that I ask of you!” She flung out her hands. “You are the single most infuriating and confounding man that I ever have met!”
“Because I do not rush to do your bidding?” Luc let his skepticism filter into his expression. “You cannot convince me, my lady fair, that you would harbor any respect for such a sorry excuse of a man.” He shook a finger at her in turn. “Indeed, you would not even deign to speak with me if I were as biddable as a trained pup.”
Brianna blinked. Her cheeks pinkened as she held Luc’s gaze, and then, ever so slowly, a smile spread across her lips.
“Nay,” she confessed softly. “Nay, you speak aright. I would not come to talk with you, then.”
Luc was satisfied to see his point made, but Brianna tilted her head to regard him. “I wish you had gone on my quest,” she admitted softly.
’Twas a promising and unexpected admission.
And an opportunity not to be lost.
Luc held the lady’s gaze, determined to get to the root of this. “Why?” he asked smoothly.
Brianna seemed to guess his interest in her response, for her flush deepened. She stepped backward, her gaze flicking away from Luc’s. “ ’Tis a test of character,” she said lightly. “I would but know what you might bring.”
“Nay.” Luc shook his head and her alarmed gaze danced back to meet his own. “Your quest was no test of character and you know it well.”
“But ’twas!” Brianna caught her breath when Luc stepped closer.
But she did not step away.
“My lady! Do you imagine that I have forgotten your plan to see your father rule Tullymullagh again?”
Brianna blanched. “I … I …”
“You had a scheme,” Luc supplied firmly, “a foolish one that could have seen you sorely injured.” He arched a brow. “Your quest was no more than a ploy to see all three brothers departed from Tullymullagh while you followed that scheme.”
Brianna bit her lip, clearly caught.
Luc had no desire to torment her, so he took the last step between them and captured her chin in his hand. “Fortunately, all ended well,” he concluded.
“Because of you,” Brianna acknowledged quietly, her cheeks flaming.
“My lady, I am glad I did not go upon your quest,” Luc said, wanting her to hear his resolve. “For that alone granted me the chance to persuade you of your folly in defying Gavin.”
The lady swallowed. “No one has ever refused to do my will,” she confessed quietly, then lifted her gaze to meet Luc’s. “No one but you.”
She looked so vulnerable, so astonished that this could be, and so shaken by the fact that it was true, that Luc wanted only to reassure her. He wanted to make her smile again.
“Ah!” Luc arched a brow and winked playfully. “That, then, must be why you missed me so!”
Brianna choked, his comment clearly an unexpected one.
She chortled, her eyes danced. She lifted a hand to her lips, but to no avail.
For then, the lady laughed.
’Twas true enough, that Luc never did her bidding.
And equally true that Brianna would have thought less of his character if he had.
But the realization that she had indeed missed him sorely—and that because he defied her every expectation—was what brought the laughter to her lips.
And once Brianna loosed her laughter, it seemed she could not stop it.
Until Luc grinned, grasped her shoulders within the heat of his hands, and tipped back his head to bellow. “The lady Brianna laughs for me!”
Brianna sobered with a snap.
What was this?
Her laughter halted, she stared at Luc, only now realizing the import of what she had done. Brianna glanced back to the rustle of the assembly bursting from the hall, talk echoing over the walls as each passed the news to the other.
The entire household came running to witness the truth. Brianna turned back to Luc with horror.
“You tricked me!” she charged.
That man grinned cockily and Brianna saw his delight with what he had wrought. “You laughed,” he reminded her firmly.
How dare he try to fool her? “It did not count!”
“It certainly did,” Luc confirmed, his eyes dark with intent. “You laughed at the jest of one of Gavin’s sons, and now, my lady, we shall be wed.”
Wed?
To Luc?
“But this does not follow my plan!” Brianna protested, certain that events had never run so surely from her grip before. “You did not depart on the quest!”
Luc flicked a bright blue glance her way. “ ’Tis clear I did not need to do so.”
“But … but …” Brianna wildly sought some grounds of protest. This man could not best her at her own game! Why, the entire point of the quest was to ensure that she was not compelled to wed any particular man! “Aha!” she crowed with delight. “You did not grant me a gift!”
Luc hesitated for a moment and Brianna knew she had bested him.
“No gift was granted, so the laughter does not count!” she repeated, liking well that Luc seemed flummoxed by this.
Ha! She would have the last word!
But someone cleared his throat pointedly. Brianna pivoted to find her sire advancing into the orchard. He shook his head sagely. “ ’Tis not so, child. Luc has granted you a rare gift indeed.”
Brianna was indignant that her father would take Luc’s side. “What gift?”
Connor smiled. “The wisdom that no one should dictate to one’s spouse, for the strength of a marriage is in partnership and understanding.”
While Brianna fought to find an argument to that, Connor granted a nod to Luc. “I confess that I have listened to your discussion,” he admitted without embarrassment.
Luc inclined his head, clearly untroubled by this. “ ’Tis not beyond reasonable to attend to your daughter’s future happiness.”
Connor beamed at that sentiment, then turned his bright gaze on Brianna once more. “ ’Tis clear enough to me, child, that this man, this man who challenges your will and cares for your safety, is a man you may be proud to take to your side.”
Brianna gasped, not in the least bit pleased to find her heart making a similar case. She pivoted to face Luc. “How can you insist upon this course?” she demanded heatedly. “You know full well how I feel about the necessity of love in a marriage.”
No sooner had she uttered the words, than Luc’s grip on her fingers tightened. “My lady,” he murmured, his voice pitched low. “I understand that this matter is of import to you, and thence, ’tis to me.”
Brianna swallowed and stared into the vivid sapphire of Luc’s gaze, the intensity of the color telling her that he meant whatever he would say.
“I would see you happy, I would see you satisfied with your match. My lady, you may be assured that I shall persuade you to love me.”
Brianna’s heart began to race. She stared at Luc, her heart hammering at his unexpected words. Luc lifted her hand, his gaze unswerving, brushed his lips across her knuckles.
Brianna was certain the entire household saw her shiver.
“Indeed, Brianna,” he murmured, his tone pitched for her ears alone, “I pledge it to you.”
Luc had never uttered her name before. The very sound was so intimate, it conjured recollections of kisses and the heated promise of mysteries yet to be learned. Brianna caught her breath and looked away.
She knew well enough that Luc kept his word with a vengeance.
Could he make her love him? The very possibility was both tantalizing and terrifying. Brianna already admired Luc, she already trusted him, she already knew she could rely upon him.
She already was haunted by his smile.
But more importantly, would Luc come to love her? His words made it sound as though he had no intention of doing so.
And that was troubling indeed.
Luc was not encouraged by the lady’s uncertainty, not in the least. Was there something here of which he knew naught? He had anticipated Brianna’s concern with regards to love and tried his utmost to persuade her that he took the issue most seriously.
But Luc did not trust her uncharacteristic silence, nor the way she looked into the distance and frowned.
What was Brianna thinking?
“Let me pass!” Ruarke pushed his way through the ranks of those watching. He glowered at Luc, no less at the man’s claim upon Brianna’s hand, then stormed closer. Luc straightened, preparing for a verbal assault. Indeed, each time he saw this man Luc liked him less.
“What is this?” Ruarke demanded. “I heard some nonsense that Brianna laughed.”
“ ’Tis not nonsense,” Luc retorted, not caring for the man’s manner. “She did and we shall be wed.”
“What?” Ruarke’s eye flashed angrily. “This cannot be! Why, this lady cannot wed the likes of you! You are not even a knight!”
“On the contrary,” Luc declared coldly. Well aware of the way the lady watched the exchange, Luc did not so much as flinch before Ruarke’s noisy display. “I have been a knight for nigh on fifteen years.”
He refrained from commenting upon Ruarke’s loose interpretation of those knightly duties. To Luc’s mind, the man had no place abandoning Tullymullagh in its hour of need, be he champion or merely a knight of the household.
And he did not like how quickly Ruarke had pledged his hand to Gavin. A man like Connor deserved greater loyalty from those beneath his hand.
Ruarke could have chosen to leave Tullymullagh, if only to make a point about the change of its lordship. There was no doubt that an able knight could find employ elsewhere and simultaneously keep his honor intact.
Ruarke blinked. “You do not dress as a knight.”
“Garb does not make the man.” Luc could not halt his cool and pointed assessment of Ruarke’s fine garb. Indeed, Luc was not surprised that this champion had absented himself while the keep was under assault.
Battle might have mired Ruarke’s fine tabard, after all.
The two men’s gazes held in silent challenge and Luc guessed suddenly that this knight had aspirations of claiming Brianna as his own bride.
He could not help but wonder what the lady thought of that.
Ruarke straightened angrily, apparently reading Luc’s glance aright. “What of the other brother?” he demanded of Connor. “Was the wager not that the lady should wed whosoever made her laugh loudest?”
“Aye, ’twas!” Brianna insisted immediately. “Bless you, Ruarke, for recalling that detail!”
What madness was this?
Surely Brianna could not have affection for this man of so little merit? She was possessed of markedly good sense—why would it abandon her in this matter?
Luc looked to the lady in shock.
Indeed, he had his answer, and ’twas not the one he had expected. Luc’s pledge to win her heart meant naught, for the lady was already in love.
The very thought launched an ill tide in Luc’s belly. He abruptly released Brianna’s hand and stepped away, not wanting to interfere in this plan. Brianna looked to him with alarm, but Luc could not imagine what else she expected of him. He had made her laugh, he had declared his honorable intent, yet she had insisted upon spurning his suit.
A man of honor pressed no further.
Ruarke pounced upon Brianna’s hand when she hesitated and swept it possessively into the crook of his elbow. He fired a lethal glance at Luc, then summoned a charming smile for her alone.
“Come, my lady, come break your fast with me.”
“But …”
Luc was not surprised that Brianna did not appreciate having Ruarke make her decision for her. The lady was naught if not determined to see the course of her own mind.
Whatever foolish path it chose to tread. He still could not conceive of why she would have interest in Ruarke.
“But naught,” Ruarke declared, as though he scolded an errant child. “ ’Tis time you lingered with finer company than this. And what of your embroidery?” Ruarke fairly dragged Brianna from the orchard.
Brianna cast an appealing glance over her shoulder from the periphery of the orchard, but Luc deliberately turned away. He would not rush to her aid in this. Brianna had chosen her knight and could no doubt see matters her way in the end.
Luc folded his arms across his chest and scowled at the River Darrow. Aye, he had been seven kinds of fool, indeed.