The Consolation Prize (Brides of Karadok #3) - Alice Coldbreath Page 0,120
His actions were not planned out or rational.”
“Apparently he suffered a head wound at Demoyne,” Armand said, slowly recalling what Walker had told him. “It changed him by all accounts.”
Una stared. “I have never heard of such things. Have you?”
“Once before,” he admitted. “A bloodthirsty man of war greatly changed into one who shrank from spilling blood and ended his days in a holy hermitage.”
Una fell silent a moment. “It’s a shame the change wrought on Waleran was of the opposite effect. We will have to have his body sent North to his family for burial.”
He grunted, pulling her closer, his hand stroking up and down her back. “Apparently Vawdrey’s men have been steadily repelling those who would approach you with treasonous offers,” he said, avoiding her gaze. “I had no idea you would be plagued by them to such an extent.”
Una mulled this over. “Nor I,” she said. Though, she had been pleasantly surprised not to receive so much as a smuggled note since they had reached Little Derring. Had she been a little naive by this turn of events? Probably. She had been similarly guarded by Vawdrey’s men back at the palace. Seeing Armand’s expression, she asked cheerfully, “But if they have been so effective, then why can they not remain so? They have obviously been doing a good job and Lord Vawdrey can surely spare them.” Armand gave a faint smile at this, but nothing more. “Your pride is hurt?” she ventured softly.
He shrugged. “Maybe a little. A man should be able to protect his own wife.”
“You did. You do.”
“I will from this day forth,” he vowed.
Una turned her head to look at him quickly. “I hope you don’t mean to escort me everywhere with an armed guard,” she joked. When he avoided her eye, she lightly thumped his chest. “Armand!”
“We do have several men in need of occupation, as you so justly pointed out,” he said evasively. “Though,” he said, facing her straight on, “considering how jealous I’m turning out to be, I may have to rotate the guard you, as your father did.”
Una stared at him. “Your disposition is not jealous,” she started, as his hand landed at her waist on the uninjured side.
“Oh yes, it is, Una,” he said stroking his thumb at the indentation. “Make no mistake about that, my love. What do you think that piece of foolishness was about last night?” His color darkened. “I could not tolerate the thought that someone other than I might have tutored you in bed sport. That’s why I reacted the way I did. Like a damned fool.”
Una stared at him. “Oh! But I—I mean, no one ever—” She took a deep breath. “You’ve really got nothing to be jealous about.”
“I’m glad,” he answered huskily. “But that does not excuse the things I said to you.”
“Well,” she said. “I know you are very sensitive with regrets about our wedding night and—”
“I only regret that I was blind drunk,” he corrected her swiftly.
“Yes, but I wish you would believe me when I seek to assure you on that score.” She took a deep breath. “And in any case, I accepted your apology about last night. We have no need to discuss it further.”
“I will never say anything like that again,” he said, taking her hand from his chest and kissing her palm. “And I vow if you ever fly into a jealous rage, I will be just as understanding.”
Una saw the smile trembling on his lips with relief. She loved his smile and it felt like she had not seen it in an age. “I have never been prone to jealous rages before,” she admitted. “But there is a first for everything. I was once informed you have a sadly roving eye, but I have yet to see evidence of the fact.”
“By whom?” he asked with a swift frown. “That was before. You have no need to worry on that score.”
She smiled. “Good, but I will never tell.”
“Bess from The Stone Crow,” he snorted. “Much she would know. In any case, my eye only dwells in one place these days.”
“That’s nice to hear.”
His brows snapped together. “It was Anne, wasn’t it? I knew she would be revenged after I forgot her blessed children’s names.”
“I hope you will not be so remiss with our own children,” Una commented. For some reason, all playfulness seemed to desert him at her teasing words. Una suppressed a sigh as he drew back from her.