Lady Fiona's Refuge (Ladies of Ardena Book 3) by Rachel Skatvold

Author:Rachel Skatvold [Skatvold, Rachel]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-12-20T00:00:00+00:00

Leland left the council meeting more confused than ever. Almost all of the nobles in attendance supported him taking the throne. It was a great honor, yet guilt hung on him like heavy prison chains. The company of men he sent to search for Tristan had yet to return. Could he live with himself if he betrayed his cousin?

He exited the castle into the courtyard when Lady Sibeal appeared by one of the fountains. “Would you care to take a stroll with me, Milord?”

Leland released a weary sigh. In truth all he wanted was to return to his cozy cottage on the mountain and have some time to think. However, the pleading look in her emerald eyes convinced him to agree. “Aye, Milady. I can take a short stroll, but I must arrive home before dark.”

“It will not take long. You have my word,” she said while taking his preferred arm. Then he escorted her around the gardens while they talked. “How did the meeting go?”

“As well as can be expected, I suppose,” he answered, not wanting to go into specifics. “The people are ready for a new king. The only question is who is most qualified to lead this kingdom into the future.”

She craned her elegant neck to look up at him. “I can only think of two men who would be worthy of such a position. The first would be my father…but barring a miracle, that will never happen. According to his physician, he does not have much time left.”

Leland frowned, hearing the sorrow in her voice and led her to a bench on the terrace overlooking the mountains. “I’m sorry to hear of your father’s declining health. He is one of the most honorable men I know. My friend, Niall is a physician. It might not hurt to have a second opinion.”

She nodded and gazed at the beautiful view before them. “Thank you, I will tell my mother.”

“I wish there was something more I could do.”

She remained silent for a moment, pausing to wipe a stray tear from her cheek. “There is something.”

“What?”

She turned to look at him again, eyes glassy from the tears welling up in them. “He longs for nothing more than to see his daughter happy and settled before he leaves this world.”

Leland’s palms grew sweaty as she talked. “And how can I help with that?”

“Besides my father, you are the only man who would be worthy to take the throne. I am the Countess of Aoife and you are the Earl of Kiely. You have to admit the arrangement makes sense.”

Leland’s mouth hung open in surprise, not believing what he was hearing. He had never met a lady who was bold enough to propose to a man. “I don’t know what to say.”

“You don’t have to say a word,” she whispered and before Leland had a chance to protest, she had wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him into a passionate kiss.

After coming to his senses, he pulled back and gently gripped her shoulders to keep some distance between them.

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