Her furious denial died, and a desperate plea took its place. “Do not do this. I will be torn in two, and forced into betrayal no matter which half wins.”

“If I have my way, there will be no need for betrayal. No chance for it. If I do not have my way—I have no illusions, Nesta. I know what I have in you.” His head dipped, and his lips brushed hers.

Too late it occurred to her distraught mind to refuse the kiss, and the brief connection flushed her whole body, increasing her dismay.

Horrified, she ran for the door, anxious to be away from him so that she could once more rebuild her resolve.

CHAPTER 13

Nesta rose the next morning and girded herself for battle. Armed with several new arguments against Marcus’s ridiculous idea of marriage, she sallied forth to challenge him.

When she did not find him in the hall or the yard, she concluded he must be in his chambers. She asked a servant to see if he would meet with her.

A while later, Paul sought her out. “I am sorry, but my lord has secluded himself in his chamber and will not be available today. He has given word that no one is to enter, not even the servants.”

“Is he ill?”

“I do not think so. He said that he has an important decision to make and needs time alone. I believe—I could be wrong, of course—but I believe that he is praying for divine guidance.”

“Praying? All day?”

“You do not approve?”

“Nay … I mean, aye … it is just he never seemed overly devout to me.”

“He is a great lord, with many burdens. If he seeks God’s counsel, we should all be grateful,” Paul said solemnly.

Nesta decided that was true. If Marcus was conversing with God, and the decision he pondered was marrying Nesta verch Llygad, she would not need the arguments she had spent half the night constructing. God would never approve of abusing a sacrament by forcing a woman into marriage.

She retreated to her chamber to work on her parchments. As she passed the second level of the castle, she noticed the silence coming from Marcus’s chamber. A monastery’s cell could not be more quiet.

She paused and cocked her head, searching to hear the low mumble of prayer through the stones. Her ears finally caught the vague buzz, but it came in fits and starts, as if Marcus provided two sides of a conversation.

As she continued up the stairs, another sound broke the silence. A laugh, long and hearty, penetrated the heavy door of Marcus’s chamber.

She raised her eyebrows and continued on her way. God must have said something very humorous.