I’ve also taken your advice. I’ve made Seagrave my home. But it’s not the same without you. Please come home to me, Greylen. Please come home and kiss me again.

Forever yours,

Gwendolyn Anastasia

PS: We’re low on brandy.

Greylen’s smile could’ve lit the night sky. He was wed. And he held the evidence in his hand. Feisty wench, she’d get an earful when he returned. But he couldn’t have been more pleased, nor did he expect differently from her.

He read the letter again, overcome by the same emotions. A sharp bark of laughter at her feisty reprimand, a smile of sublime pleasure from her honest gratitude, and her wish for him to return quite simply pierced his heart.

But what struck him most—and now seemed all too clear—was her vulnerability.

She hid it well.

He’d not deny she was strong-willed, nor quick with wit. True enough, she was. But he’d seen through her bluster from the very first, ’twas a safeguard from hurt. She might come through the gates fighting, and so far, had on almost all of the occasions they were together. Yet she always surrendered to him.

In gesture and touch, in passion and exhaustion, she always surrendered.

She had begun to trust him, and her tenderness was the reward. She wanted to believe but with his absence had doubt. He read it in her letter, her fear for his safety cleverly written in her admonishment. Not to mention her not so subtle message, you left me, which she’d underlined.

The woman had a way with words.

Thank God he could see through them.

Chapter 12

“Kevin, I’ll not ask you again. Have a seat,” Gwen demanded, waving to the chair once more. “Now.”

Kevin took great pains to look around the room and seemed relieved no one was about. He must have realized he didn’t have a choice and did as she ordered.

“I’m sure ’tis nothing, Lady Gwendolyn. We should be back at it on the morrow,” Kevin said, referring to the run Gwen knew he’d come to enjoy.

“Are you sure this is the leg, Kevin? I thought you favored the right?” she asked as she ran her hands over said leg. Gwen was sure he muttered “damn” under his breath.

“Aye, lady, ’tis the left,” Kevin grumbled.

Not sure what to believe anymore, she decided to check both. “Well, it seems okay, but you’re probably right. A day of rest and you’ll be fine.” Gwen held out her hand for her morning guard and smiled when he couldn’t help but laugh at her.

“You mock me?” she joked, placing her hands on her hips.

“Nay, lady, I apologize,” Kevin said, taking her hand. “Thank you, for helping me stand.”

“I’m sorry, Kevin. I guess it was pretty stupid, seeing as you’re about three times my size.” She laughed.