Her eyebrows arched in surprise. “Most definitely.” A trace of laughter laced through her voice and made her all the more charming. “We’ve even shared a bed.”
My mouth fell open as I wracked my brain searching for anything that would help me identify this woman. She went into peals of laughter at my obvious discomfort.
“We were both eight at the time,” she whispered. Relieved, I was actually able to smile.
“I hope I was a gentleman…or perhaps not.” My voice rumbled. I gazed into her eyes. They smoldered and my heart turned over.
She pursed her lips and said nothing. Her smile said it all. She had my attention. Searching more carefully, I found her manner soothing and familiar. A burst of recognition sprang into my brain. “Cay.” I put my hands on her shoulders, held her at arm’s length, and peered at her. “During the storm, when Fendrel, Arik, and I were in Orkney. Yes, I remember. You’re Fendrel’s niece—his brother’s daughter. They covered us with the last of the furs. I told you stories to calm your fears until you fell asleep. In the morning we exchanged tokens. You gave me your handkerchief.”
“And you gave me a leather piece for my hair. So you do remember.” My hands fell away from her. “You told me then you would be a great knight. Congratulations. You’ve made your people in Orkney proud.”
My chest puffed a bit. There was no false humility when I acknowledged her praise with a dip of my head.
“Ah, there’s Bran,” Arik said. He waved me over to join them. I raised my hand and acknowledged him.
“Caylyn.” She turned to find Fendrel calling out to her.
“It seems we’re both in demand. Enjoy your celebration.” She wended her way over to Fendrel.
Memories of spending time with Cay crept back into my mind. I’d played knight to her damsel, her champion when we had rode the fields and sailed the small boat. Those were glorious days even in a remote and wild place like Orkney.
I grabbed a goblet of wine from a passing lad and made my way to Arik. “Good eve, everyone.” I maneuvered next to Arik—making certain Radulf would see Arik and me as a unified force.
After all, what were brothers for?
“Bran, you remember Lord Radulf,” Leticia said. She was bright with excitement. The flickering torch light made the gold threads in her hair sparkle and the ice-blue gown she wore shimmer.
She was a beauty. But the swish of a dove-gray gown behind her and the flash of green eyes made the room stop.
My heart hammered as I repeated over and over my destiny was with Leticia. That was my plan. The only plan. I felt the weight of the pouch around my neck and silently whispered my plea for my rightful place to the Great Mother.
I shifted my gaze back to the man beside Leticia and rejoined the conversation. “Yes, it’s good to see you again.” He looked at me with nothing but friendship. Startled, I had to force myself not to smile. “What brings you to Fayne Manor?”
“I’ve been here for three years working with Marcus in the garrison and Alfred at the mill. Arik was telling us about your time away.”
I plastered a benign smile on my face and listened as Radulf spoke of some amusing tale while with Alfred. But the bottom had dropped out of my world and set me spinning like a boat caught in a whirlpool. Those responsibilities had been mine before I left. I had no idea I had been so quickly replaced.
Leticia stared at the man as if he was some sort of deity. Their fingers were still intertwined. It took every dram of my being to not walk over and yank them apart.
“Leticia, come walk with me. We haven’t had any time together.” I stepped across the small circle and gave Leticia my arm.
Startled like a small sparrow, she stared at my offered arm then at Radulf. The man knew propriety and said nothing. He simply stepped back and released her. Good, at least he knew his place. My standing as a family member outranked him. I took her hand that paused above my arm and gently set it down. I nodded to Radulf and drew Leticia away. I couldn’t keep the satisfaction from my face.
“What did you want to speak about?” Having her walk with me brought back memories of our walks together before I’d left for my training. She was once again the young girl of five years ago.
“I wanted to enjoy the company of the most beautiful woman in the room, let everyone be envious that it is my arm you share.”
She peered over her shoulder. I tugged her on. “Now that I’m back I think you will see many changes. Fendrel appears tired and old. We all must be ready to support difficult decisions, for the good of the family I assure you.” A quick glance let me glimpse her thoughtfulness. Satisfied that I’d set things in motion, I relaxed and enjoyed our turn around the room.
“You sound as if Father is a doddering old man. He’s quite healthy and active.” We glided on, acknowledging people who greeted us. I had to stop myself from telling her that she was mine. I struggled to keep my boyish enthusiasm in check. Protocol and, more importantly, the plan had to be followed. I’d inform Fendrel—after all, he was her father—and then I’d tell her the good news.
Her neck stretched to look over the heads of others. What was she trying to see? Ah, Radulf was speaking to Cay. It wasn’t the speaking that had me agitated but rather the fact that they obviously knew each other. Maybe I could use this to my advantage.
“What has you so satisfied?” She turned to see what I found
