Romancing the Earl (41 page)

“I don’t even know what that means. Is my father not my father?” Yes, that had been hope in his eyes.

Elijah heard the wistfulness in his tone and suddenly felt a kinship with this man who wished his parent wasn’t his parent.

“I don’t know either, but I’ll help you find out,” Cate said.

Kersey looked at her with disbelief. “You’d help me? After everything I’ve done?”

She nodded. “I would. You said you weren’t responsible for killing Matthew.”

Weariness sagged through Kersey’s frame. “That was the Order. The men who were assigned to me—the ones you saw at Kentchurch—they were cutthroats. They were instructed to go to any lengths to obtain the sword. They pretended to be highwaymen and stopped your brother’s coach to rob him of the tapestry.”

“The tapestry wasn’t even with him,” Elijah said.

Kersey’s lips formed a grim line. “I know. They tried a similar trick with you and Cate after they knew you’d found the tapestry. Since Cate’s vehicle was in front, they held it up as a means to lure you away from the map, which we knew was in your coach. However, they didn’t count on you being such a dangerous adversary.”

Discussing this was sparking Elijah’s ire again. “How could you condone them threatening Cate?”

Kersey’s gaze turned dark and fierce. “Every step of the way, I ordered them to keep her safe. I vowed to kill anyone who harmed her.”

Kersey’s vehement protection of her mollified Elijah’s anger. Somewhat.

“What about Grey? Were you there?” Cate sounded as though she was holding her breath.

“I was in Harlech, but not at the castle. I never would’ve allowed them to shoot anyone.” He wiped his hand over his face. “They were furious that I wouldn’t let them kill you at Kentchurch. They were ready to mutiny. It’s why I snuck away from them this morning.”

“That’s why you’re alone?” Cate asked. “Septon said you’d be traveling alone because Foliot prefers privacy—he wouldn’t have wanted you to have company.”

“They were his hirelings, so he wouldn’t have minded.” Kersey stared at her, his lip curling. “What does Septon know of any of this?”

“He and my father were supposed to accompany Elijah to find you and recover the sword.” Cate glanced at Elijah. “But we decided to come alone.”

“They’ll follow you though, won’t they?”

“Probably.”

Kersey tried to stand, but it took him a second to find his feet. Elijah leapt up and helped him. “I need to go,” Kersey said. He looked to Elijah. “If you’ll let me.”

Cate touched his forearm. “Why?”

“I can’t see Septon.” He looked around for his horse, saw it grazing a few dozen yards away.

“Wait,” Cate said, “I still have more questions. Why did you join the Order? It only admits scholars and descendants of the knights. You didn’t even realize you were a descendant until today.”

He arched a dark brow at her, looking more like the rake he was purported to be. “Are you saying I’m not a scholar?” He relaxed his features. “Of course I’m not. I wonder if Foliot somehow knew I was a descendant—he recruited me quite specifically.” He shook his head. “I can’t ask now, and anyway, my membership isn’t exactly with the Order.”

“It’s with the Camelot group,” Cate said.

Surprise flickered in Kersey’s gaze. “You know of it?”

“Septon told us. Kersey, why not stay with us?” Cate asked. “We’ll explain to my father and Septon.”

“No, I don’t want anything to do with Septon. I thought I wanted revenge . . .” He shook his head again. “Never mind.” He gestured toward the sword lying in the grass. “Take it, Cate. Do what you think is best.”

He strode toward his horse. Elijah sent Cate a supportive glance and then hurried to catch Kersey. “I know what it’s like to be driven by resentment and revenge. I’ve taken care of the revenge part, but the resentment will always be with me. It’s up to you to decide how much power you give it over your life.”

Kersey turned with a grunt.

“You’re going to try to discover your heritage now?” Elijah asked.

He looked at Elijah over his shoulder. “It’s all I have left.”

Amazed at the compassion he could manage to feel for this man, Elijah clapped him on the arm. “You might be surprised to find what you have—what you’re capable of.”

Kersey nodded toward Cate. “Take care of her. She’ll drive you to drink, but I daresay she’ll be worth it.”

Elijah smiled. “I know she is.”

Kersey lifted his hand and waved at Cate, then mounted his horse and rode away.

Elijah watched him disappear over a hill and turned back to Cate, who was already striding toward him.

He clasped her in his arms and pulled her close. His chin grazed the top of her head as he stroked her back. “He’s a troubled man.”

“Aren’t you all?”

Elijah barked a laugh before tipping her chin up to kiss her. “Kersey says I’m in for more of it with you.”

“That depends on what you intend. Will I be your occasional lover, your contracted mistress”—she made a face—“or something more . . . permanent?”

Her gaze was so adorably hopeful, he couldn’t help but smile.

“I should like you to be whatever you desire, Cate. You are a woman of independent thought and quite capable of deciding what you want. If it were up to
me
”—he clasped her waist—“I would make you my countess, but I fear that isn’t in your plan.”

She rested her palms against his chest. “It wasn’t. And I would be doing myself a grave disservice if I didn’t tell you exactly what I require to agree to wed you.”

He arched a brow at her, feeling skeptical, but also suspecting he knew what she might say. “What is that?”

“I am an adventuring antiquary. I belong to a ladies-only group of antiquaries. I like to dirty my hands and solve mysteries. Above all, I love to learn. If you can’t accept, no, that’s not quite right. If you can’t
endorse
my passions, I’m afraid a formal union won’t be possible—whether we love each other or not.”

He stared down at her and pretended to consider what she was saying. “That’s a lot to expect of a man. I’m not certain . . .”

She pulled her hands back and lightly smacked them back into his chest. “Careful what you say.”

He squeezed her waist. “You didn’t let me finish. I’m not certain your list is complete. At least, I hope your passions might extend to me.”

“Of course they do. In fact, you might be my favorite passion.”

“Well,” he drawled, “how can I argue with that? I accept your terms.” He grew serious, astounded at the sudden direction his life was about to take—and the fact that he was quite content about it. Hell, he was ecstatic. He stared down into her incredible, dark eyes. “Cate, long ago I chose a life that wouldn’t allow for a long-term home or a family. But when the earldom was thrust upon me, everything changed. I resented it at first and planned to continue on as I’ve always done—alone. But then I met you and
that
is really when it all changed. I could never settle for what I thought I wanted, not when you’ve shown me a happiness I never imagined. A love I never dreamed existed.” He paused at her indrawn breath. “Will you consent to be my countess?”

“Oh, Elijah. Yes.” She cradled his cheek.
“Yes
.
”

He lifted her up and spun her around before setting her back on the ground and kissing her soundly.

He raised his head and looked down at her beloved face. “You’ve made me so happy. Have you any idea how much more palatable Cosgrove will be now that you’ll be there? And before you say we may not spend much time at Cosgrove, let me also say how much I look forward to adventuring with you.”

“You’re marrying me to ease your boredom?” she teased—he could tell by the sparkle in her eyes and the way her lips spread in a wide, heart-tugging smile.
 

“It is one of many reasons.” He cocked a brow at her. “Perhaps I should draft a list . . . ”

She laughed. “We’ll do it together.” She shook her head. “Elijah, I never expected to marry anyone. Falling in love with the right man was a necessary element and until you, I wasn’t sure it was possible. But you made it more than a possibility; you made it everything I need.
You
are everything I need.”

He brushed his lips against hers. “You are a treasure beyond words, Cate.”

“And you are my heart’s desire.” She stood on her toes and kissed him.

Epilogue

C
ate sat in her father’s study with Elijah, awaiting Septon’s arrival. It had been three days since they’d recovered Dyrnwyn. Septon had followed them alone—Cate’s parents had preferred to remain at home in case Cate and Elijah returned. He’d gone home to Septon House after failing to find them and receiving word that they were safe in Monmouth. Cate had invited him back to Hollyhaven, and he was due to arrive any time.

“Are you certain about what you’re doing?” Elijah, beside her on the settee, touched her hand.

“Yes.” Cate glanced at her mother sitting in an adjacent chair. She’d been delighted to learn that Cate and Elijah would be marrying. The banns had already been posted, and the wedding would take place in just three weeks. Cate didn’t want a large, fancy occasion. She just wanted Elijah.

Wade and Grey had also decided to marry, though it had taken a bit of convincing on Wade’s part. Grey was already a widow and wasn’t certain she wished to wed a second time. However, when they’d arrived at Hollyhaven two days ago, Cate could tell her maid was changed. As a woman in love, Cate recognized the same state in Grey and told her so. They were to be married the week after Cate and Elijah.

Father and Penn stood at the large table that dominated the room. Dyrnwyn sat on top of it. They’d studied the sword relentlessly since she and Elijah had brought it back. Cate had written to Penn immediately and he’d arrived late yesterday.

“I still think it’s a mistake to give it over,” Penn said, his brows dipping low over his blue eyes.

He’d stated his opinion at least a hundred times, but Cate refused to be swayed. She’d thought about it and discussed it with Elijah endlessly. They’d agreed that this was the right decision—though he’d left it entirely up to her. She suppressed a smile as she glanced at her future husband, thinking again how lucky she was to have found him.

The butler, Thomas, entered and announced Septon.

A palpable tension seemed to grip the room. Cate squeezed Elijah’s hand.

Septon’s gaze immediately fell on the sword. His intake of breath was like a pistol shot. He moved toward the table slowly, his eyes never moving from the blade.

“You’ve studied it?” he asked softly.

“Yes,” Penn answered. “Though it doesn’t do what it did for Kersey.”

Septon’s brows nearly flew off his face. He swung around and turned to Cate. “What did it do?”

Cate stood and went to the table, Elijah at her side. Her mother joined them so that they all circled the sword.

“It burst into flame when he wielded it. He’s a descendant of one of the knights.”

Septon’s eyes were huge. His hand covered his mouth. He looked down at the sword and shook his head. “I had no idea.”

Cate exchanged looks with her family. They had wondered if this was another secret Septon had known. Evidently not.

“Where is he?” Septon asked. “Lady Stratton is quite concerned for him.”

Cate was glad to hear it. Kersey needed affection more than anyone she’d ever met—even more than Elijah. “I don’t know, but I daresay he’s trying to discover his true heritage. He’s hopeful that Stratton isn’t his father.”

Septon shot a quick glance at her father, whose expression was stoic.

“You’re not interested in prosecuting him for anything?” Septon asked, looking from Cate to Elijah.

“No,” Elijah said. “It seems Foliot is really behind it all.”

Septon nodded grimly. “I went to his house when I tried to find you and the sword. We had a brief exchange. He was enigmatic, as I’d expected. I wager the Order is in for some dark times.”

“Can you simply expel him?” her mother asked.

“It’s not that easy. He has many followers. And he’s a descendant, while I am seen by many to be an interloper.”

Penn scoffed. “What a bunch of nonsense. Disband the entire thing and give everything over to the people. I’ll be happy to catalog and research the lot before I put it in the museum.”