Besotted (The Fairest Maidens #3) - Jody Hedlund Page 0,42
everything—even the kingship—for the women they loved?
I braced myself with the cane. “I’ll finish my Testing. The month may drag by, but it will pass erelong. Then once my Testing is completed, I’m coming back here for her. I’ll beseech her to go with me to Scania.”
“And what if she hears the rumors about your identity while you’re gone?”
“She won’t. Not here.” Unless Chester went out on another trip to town and learned the information. “Even if she does, what difference will it make? It won’t change our love.”
“She doesn’t strike me as the kind of woman who will stand for deception.”
Was I deceiving her? Or merely withholding the whole truth? Was there a difference? “Then you think I should tell her who I am before I leave?”
“What would you have her do if the situation were reversed?”
I’d want to know the truth. But in her case, I had the feeling the revelation of my royalty wouldn’t impress her, might even scare her away. On the other hand, if I told her before I left, she’d have the chance to adjust to my being a prince and grow accustomed to the idea of moving and living a life far different than what she’d ever known.
“Very well.” I hobbled forward on the cane. “I shall tell her. On the morrow, before we leave.”
“One more tart, dear heart. Surely you can eat one more.” Aunt Elspeth picked up another tart from the table and pushed it into my already full hands before she dabbed tears from the corners of her eyes.
“Thank you.” I bent and kissed the top of her head. “You have been just like a mother to me.”
“And you’re a dear, dear boy.” She turned her head and blew into a handkerchief, sounding like a honking goose.
Aunt Idony held out a small bundle. “Salves, ointment, rags, and the like. Keep putting them on the wound.”
I nodded. “You saved my leg and my life, and I shall never forget it.”
With my hands already full of baked goods, Jorg took charge of Aunt Idony’s gift, tucking it into his sack.
Morning light slanted in through the cracks in the shutters, giving me a final view of the cozy cottage that would always hold a fond place in my heart. I’d waited for either of the older women to invite us to return, but neither mentioned it.
I chanced a glance toward Rory who was standing by the door and fiddling with a loose string on her cloak. She plucked at it and didn’t look my way. In fact, since returning last eve, she’d been rather quiet and hadn’t made any effort to seek me out. Perhaps I’d only dreamed of the kisses and words of affection we’d shared in the woods.
Or maybe after having time to consider our declarations of love, she’d changed her mind about us and didn’t want to wait for my return after all.
I’d hoped for a chance to speak with her one last time privately, but I’d lingered overly long already, and Jorg was growing irritable to be on our way. With a long hike ahead of us to Birchwood—made longer because of my injury—I couldn’t fault him.
“Thank you for everything,” I said. “I don’t know what I would have done without your help.”
Aunt Elspeth nodded, wiped additional tears, and then blew into her handkerchief again.
I tried once more to catch Rory’s attention, but she refused to look at me. I was half tempted to blurt out my feelings right there in front of Aunt Idony and Aunt Elspeth. With Chester out at his kilns, at least I didn’t have to worry about inciting him.
I pressed my lips together to keep from saying anything. I’d promised Rory I’d let her tell her family, and I had to follow through.
I hefted my bag over my shoulder. The moment I did so, Jorg opened the door and stepped outside.
I gave each of the aunts a last smile, then headed for the door. As I passed by Rory, I paused. “Farewell, Rory. I shall miss you.”
Finally, she glanced up. The blue of her eyes was bright and full of hope—dare I even say love?
My pulse gave an extra beat. And I waited, unable to make myself walk through the door. She turned to her aunts. “May I walk Jorg and Kresten to the wood’s edge?”
Aunt Idony hesitated, but Aunt Elspeth waved her hands as if to shoo us from the cottage. “Of course, sweeting. Of course. That’s very kind of you to offer.”