But at the time, she’d only thought that she’d been a fool. She’d believed him last night, when she’d never trusted anyone. The conviction in his voice, the way that he touched her—she truly believed him. No matter how crazy what he had told her seemed to be, he made her believe. Then he held her as they fell asleep. And she knew there wasn’t anywhere she’d rather be.

Greylen and his family had awoken emotions in her, emotions she’d never felt before.

She had felt someone sit next to her on the bed. “Good morning, Gwendolyn.” It was Lady Madelyn. “I’m going to remove the bandages now,” she had said softly.

Gwen remained silent. There was only one question she wanted to ask. And she already knew the answer. Greylen wasn’t there. Her hand kept moving across the sheets where he’d lain last night. They were cold. He hadn’t been next to her for hours.

Lady Madelyn placed a warm cloth over her eyes after the bandages were removed and instructed her to lean back. Gwen gladly complied. She wasn’t ready to open her eyes. Truthfully, she was scared. She finally pulled the cloth away, and for the first time saw Lady Madelyn, Anna, Isabelle, and Gavin.

They were pretty hard to miss. They were all staring at her from different positions around the bed. Each wore a cautious smile, but Gavin addressed her first. He came forward and knelt by her side. “Good morn, Lady Gwendolyn,” he said in a gentle voice, which seemed rather odd. The man had to be close to Greylen in size.

Gwen could tell he was uncomfortable. And for a reason she couldn’t explain, she couldn’t allow him to feel that way. So she did what she did best. She put on a brave face and spared his feelings at the expense of her own. “I’m a big girl, Gavin,” she assured. “Out with it.”

Gavin smiled at her words, though she wasn’t sure why.

“Our laird was called away last night,” he said.

“Of course he was, Gavin.” Gwen braced herself for whatever he might tell her, managing a fake smile.

That he tried to offer comfort with his explanation was clearly evident. “The king’s men arrived in the early-morning hours. Greylen had no choice but to go with them. He tried to wake you, but you were unresponsive.”

“I’ve been adding powders to your tea, Gwendolyn,” Lady Madelyn interrupted. “They cause deep slumber.”

Gwen nodded, aware of the effects of what she’d been taking. She looked back to Gavin.

“Greylen told me of his promise,” Gavin continued. “He demanded that I fetch Father Michael. But he’d been called away not to return until dawn to perform the ceremony joining you to Greylen.”

“He was really going to marry me?” Gwen asked. It was easy to believe him last night. But now, everything seemed different.

Gavin’s smile turned arrogant. “Aye, my lady, ’twas always the plan. Our laird would never make a promise he’d not intended to keep, especially to you.”