Alexander stepped next to the table and took his cup from it. He swallowed a good portion of his drink before returning his attention to Emlyn.
“Marshall found out about your ruse. I know not how, but I never saw him so angered. Your father is given a slight reprieve since Marshall has been called upon by his king to be an envoy to France. You’re in luck, my lady, as he shall be gone for some time. By the time he returns, I deem his temper might be soothed. Is it your will to be returned to your father?”
“It is.”
Alexander shot a look at him, and Grey nodded again, hoping he would allow her to go.
“Laird Gunn, is it your will to have the lady returned? I find it hard to believe you would let go something so exquisite. I heard tell James was involved with her.”
Grey stepped forward and Donal tried to stop him, but he wasn’t fast enough. “Aye, we have no further need of her.”
Alexander tugged at his beard and settled his chin on fist as he surmised them. Grey was about to continue when his king frowned. “You sound put out, Grey. Why so hostile? I never heard ye speak in such a way of a woman. The Gunns are renowned for their kindness when it comes to damsels. Explain.”
He took a breath. “She destroyed my guardsman, sire, for he’s a broken man. He shall never mend his injuries or his heart. And I vow she has it in her head that she’s to join her father’s army and has no care for what she’s done. I’ve never met such a damsel, as you put, sire. We’re glad to be rid of her.”
Emlyn glared at him. He could tell he’d upset her with his speech, but Grey didn’t care for he spoke the truth and the king should know what she’d done.
“Is this true, my lady? Did you destroy his guardsman and have you an affinity for joining your father’s army?”
“Aye and I shall not defend my actions. I care not what any of you think.” She turned to peer at him, and Grey raised his eyes to stare into hers. “Is this true? Is he broken of heart?”
“I don’t deem you care, milady, but aye, I’ve never seen James so … damaged.”
Alexander walked to the hearth, poked it with the long poker, and he appeared to be cogitating. On his return, his gaze was somewhat elusive. “Grey, I know what your guardsmen mean to you. I hope James mends, for you will make it so. You are given leave of the woman. I’ll have Donal’s men return her to Iorwerth at the soonest.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
It seemed forever since she’d been home. Garth Celyn, her family’s homestead, came into view and she sighed at the magnificence of it. The land meandering toward the tower and keep, sprouted with tall grasses, and a scent of heather filled the air. How she missed being home.
Emlyn left the Ross’ guard a half a mile from the walls for she didn’t want them to come inside. Alone now, she rode through the gates and noticed many of her father’s soldiers about the lane. He must be home if his soldiers were within the walls.
She dismounted and entered the keep. In quick steps she made it to the hall and found her family having their supper. It was as if she hadn’t existed, for her seat had been taken by Anhard. Emlyn approached her father and stood beside him.
“What do you here?”
Her mother rose and slapped her across her face. “You risked our lives and thwarted the betrothal. I knew you would do something foolish. You dare come here? Be gone. I wish not to see you.”
Her face burned from her mother’s strike, but Emlyn cast her eyes to the table and wouldn’t speak out. She expected her mother’s outrage.
“I will speak with her, Siwan, do not despair.”
“She is forbidden to stay here. I mean it, Llywelyn. Send her away, I care not where.”
Her father took her arm and pulled her from the hall. Emlyn wanted to cry out at the rejection, but she held herself circumspect. She followed him and as they walked along, he bid those who tried to approach to keep their distance. They neared the hillock where the dragon door sat.
He stopped and turned to her. “Why, lass? Why did you return? I told ye not to. I even betrothed ye to the guardsman and bid him to keep you away.”
“Then it is true. You sent me away and betrothed me without telling me? For if you cared not about a war with Marshall, you would’ve found a way to keep me here.” She stood rigid and wanted him to see her defiance.
Her father sighed visibly. “I didn’t want to send you away, Emlyn, but it was the only solution.”
“Solution to what?” She dared raise her voice, but Emlyn didn’t deem she had anything to lose. She was willing to risk her father’s anger.
“Your mother would have been harsh on ye, lass, if I kept you here. She knew Marshall wanted ye. I had to appease her.”
Emlyn stepped back, shaking her head. “You don’t know what I’ve been through. You’ve not only hurt me, but caused James great injury.” She suppressed the urge to weep, but she wanted to with all her heart.
“Why did ye leave the guardsman? I paid him handsomely to ensure you remained safe. What say you? He was injured?”
“Aye, and it was because of me. I didn’t know what you did, Father. Why didn’t you speak of it, the betrothal?” She would’ve handed matters much differently had she known her father promised her to James.
“I wanted him to win you on his own. It appears I made another mistake on your part. I did so with Bevan and now with James. No matter what I do to settle ye, it goes awry. I give over, lass. Do what you will for I’ll not aid you further.”
“Then you’ll allow me to train with your men?”
His look turned from contrite to annoyance. “Aye, you can train with them, but that is all ye shall do.”
“You won’t allow me to war with your soldiers even though I’ve proven myself time and again?”
Her father took hold of her shoulders and shook her. “Proven what, lass? That you can wield a sword? Many women can, but they don’t hail off to war with their husbands.”
“You don’t mean that.”
“Aye, I do. You are my daughter and I will die before I see you or your sisters taking to war. No woman will fight in my army.” His voice rose with his assertion.
Emlyn looked at those around her. Most kept their distance during her heated discussion with her father. She opened the satchel she held and rummaged through it and found James’ tartan, the one she’d used on her way to his father’s farmstead. She didn’t know why she hadn’t returned it to him, but she was gladdened she kept it for it was the only thing of his she had.
Emlyn dropped the satchel at her father’s feet. “I won’t be needing this any longer.”
“Where will you go? To the guardsman? I knew there was something betwixt you two.”
It was getting harder to suppress her tears. “There might have been, but like everything else, I ruined it. I was rash and closed my heart to him. He would not accept me now.”
“You seem distraught by this. Did you love him?” Her father spoke with astonishment.
A lone tear trickled from her eye and she hastily wiped it away. For the last thing she wanted was to allow him to see her weep. “Aye, mayhap. What do you want me to say? That you were right to betroth me to him? He was the most gallant man I’d ever met and I like a fool walked away from him. For what? So you could reject me yet again?” Her misery now flowed over her cheeks and she didn’t try to hide that fact from him.
Her father took her in his arms and tried to console her. “Is there naught ye can do? Can you not return to him?”
She couldn’t speak for woe clogged her throat.
“I’m sorry, lass, that I am. I am surprised, and never thought to hear ye bespeak words of love for any man. But do not despair for there must be another man willing to accept you.”
Emlyn pulled away from him. “I want no other. You’ve caused enough damage to my heart, Father. Leave it alone.”