WolfeStrike (De Wolfe Pack Generations #2) - Kathryn Le Veque Page 0,48

nodded. “I must,” he said, thinking that she looked as if she didn’t want him to go. Something in her eyes made his heart race, just a little. “We are very close to my home, about twenty miles to the north.”

“Then… then you want to go home?”

He shrugged. “It is time,” he said. “I have been away the better part of three weeks chasing your brother around, so it is time.”

“Of course,” she said, deflating a little with disappointment. But after a moment, she forced a smile. “Of course you want to return home. I suppose I was hoping you would sup with us again this evening.”

He smiled faintly. “I would love to, but there are things at home that require my attention,” he said. “But now that we know one another and are friends, I should like to invite you and your father to sup with me at Blackpool. Le Kerque, too, if he can behave himself.”

While Fraser rolled his eyes and tried not to grin, Isalyn took the invitation very seriously. “Truly?” she said. “After all of the trouble we have caused you, you would still invite us to sup?”

“Absolutely.”

“But… but I was planning on returning to London shortly.”

“Then we must make it soon,” Tor said. “You will come before you go, will you not?”

Isalyn found herself wishing that Fraser would go away. But he was standing there, listening to everything that was said, and Isalyn wanted this conversation to be just between her and Tor. She didn’t want to sound like a fool in front of Fraser, or even in front of Tor, but she was quite intrigued by the invitation to visit. She wanted to go very badly. It was a struggle not to sound like she was too eager.

“If you wish,” she said. “As I said, I was planning on returning very soon. Mayhap even next week.”

“Then you must come in the next few days. Tell your father that I insist.”

Something about the way he said it left no room for debate. Isalyn realized that her heart was pounding against her ribs again but, this time, it wasn’t because she was afraid.

It was because of the way Tor was looking at her.

Would she come in the next few days?

She was going to come as fast as she could.

“I will,” she said. “Thank you for your kindness. My father and I would be honored to sup with you.”

“Fraser, too?”

She passed a glance at the knight. “Fraser, too.”

The corners of Tor’s eyes crinkled, a smile playing on his lips. “Good,” he said. “I shall expect you shortly.”

Isalyn simply nodded, trying not to look as if this invitation of all invitations she had ever had pleased her beyond reason. She pretended it was nothing to get excited over even though her palms were sweating and she felt very much like smiling. She’d never felt so giddy. Instead, she tried to play it off as if it were nothing of importance.

“Twenty miles to the north, you said?” she said.

He nodded, pointing to a road that broke off from the main avenue and headed north. “Follow that road,” he said. “It will twist and turn a little, but stay on it and follow it to the end. You will see Blackpool Castle.”

Isalyn dipped her head graciously. “I am looking forward to it,” she said. “And thank you again for… for everything, my lord. You have gone above and beyond with regards to my safety and I am grateful.”

Tor dipped his head in response, his eyes glimmering at her for a moment longer before mounting his horse. That hairy, stocky, muscular beast that he loved like a brother. With a nod at Fraser, Tor directed Enbarr towards the road north. Isalyn watched him until he disappeared from sight.

“My lady?” Fraser said. “Lady Isalyn?”

He was trying to get her attention and Isalyn realized that he’d caught her staring at Tor. Slightly embarrassed, she turned to him to see that he was already mounted on his horse. He held out a hand to her to help her mount behind him, but she shook her head.

“My palfrey is at the livery,” she said. “I will fetch her.”

She did, quickly, with Fraser trailing behind her, but all the while, she was thinking of the next time she saw Tor.

She picked up the pace.

It was going to be sooner than he realized.

CHAPTER EIGHT

He could see it in the distance.

The approach to Blackpool Castle, as he had told Isalyn, was literally at the end of a road.