Page 39

Martin narrowed his eyes and tamped down the urge to order his brother to step back. “Did you think I was going to marry a cave troll?”

Rising, Lance shrugged. “More or less.”

Taking a deep breath, Martin swallowed a sharp retort. “Lance, I’d like you to meet my wife, Lady Isabella, and her sister, Lady Adelaide. I’d appreciate it if you could at least make some attempt to be civil in their presence.”

Martin’s brother bowed over Adelaide’s hand before saying, “It is my great pleasure to make your acquaintance, ladies. I hope you don’t mind Martin and me. I love my brother, but he’s always been so lucky in everything that I have to deflate his big head from time to time.”

Isabella walked to Martin’s side and wound her hand around his waist. “He is insufferable, isn’t he?” She pressed a kiss to his forehead. “It’s a good thing I love you, big head and all.”

Despite the audience, he couldn’t help but nuzzle her. “And I love you too, you glorious vixen.”

“ Ugh . You two are disgustingly adorable,” said Lance, stepping back and grimacing. Then he smiled down at Adelaide, and offered his arm to escort her. “Lady Adelaide, may I accompany you inside? I don’t think I can stand to watch another moment of their marital bliss.”

Adelaide smirked in a very un-Adelaide-like way. They began walking.

Martin followed his brother and sister-in-law into the castle with Isabella on his arm.

As she looked around, assessing, a knot formed in his chest. What if she didn’t like it?

What if she truly did find it cramped and provincial?

She’d spent years in the company of royalty. How would Winchelsea Castle measure up?

“Do you like what you see, my love?” he asked, hoping his anxiousness didn’t come through too clearly in his voice as they paused just inside, taking in the familiar entry hall with its tapestries and statues, wide stone steps leading up to the living spaces on the second floor.

“I love it. I’ve had enough of enormous, drafty castles full of conniving people. This is exactly right for me.”

She gave his arm a reassuring squeeze, and they followed Lance and Adelaide into the great hall.

He saw the hall as if for the first time, imagining how it might look to his bride.

Braziers were scattered around the long trestle tables to take the chill off the winter’s day.

A merry fire burned in the hearth at one end.

It had a lintel carved with mythical beasts.

Colorful tapestries showing nobles frolicking in flower gardens covered the walls, adding a promise of spring in the midst of winter.

All in all, it was a far less-forbidding space than the icy great hall at Bamburgh.

He glanced as Isabella, but she wasn’t focused on the surroundings.

All of her attention went to the two ladies who rose to greet them—his mother, on Eglantine’s arm.

Despite her lack of vision, his mother moved with stately confidence, trusting her daughter not to lead her astray.

His sister’s eyes sparkled with amusement and delight at the sight of him with his new bride.

“Welcome to Winchelsea, Lady Isabella,” her mother said with a curtsy.

Her head was streaked with more gray than it had been when he left.

She always worried for him when he took to sea, no matter how many times he had come back safely.

“It is my pleasure to welcome a new baroness to take my place. I’ve been at this too long and am more than happy to pass the mantle.

If there is anything I can do to make you at home here, don’t hesitate to mention it. ”

Relief washed through Martin at having finally fulfilled his duty to his mother by relieving her of the heavy burden of being the lady of the castle.

She had done all she could to support him after Father passed, but her grief and loss of sight weighed heavily on her.

He was glad she was free of her obligations now so that she could relax and slow down.

“Indeed, welcome,” Eglantine echoed as she also curtsied, her chestnut curls cascading over her shoulder. Her eyes twinkled with undisguised curiosity. “We are so excited to meet you. And who is this lovely young lady you’ve brought with you?”

Isabella bowed her head, acknowledging each of them in turn. “It is a pleasure to meet you both. Martin has told me so much about you on our journey that I feel like I practically know you already. Please allow me to introduce my sister, Lady Adelaide.”

“I’m delighted to meet you both.” Adelaide curtsied. “Thank you for the warm welcome to Winchelsea.”

“Lady Adelaide plays the lute most beautifully,” Martin said, knowing his sister would be delighted at the news.

As expected, she responded with enthusiasm. “Do you indeed? Why, that’s wonderful! I play the lyre. As you know, Martin plays the citole, and on occasion, we’ve been successful wheedling Lance into playing the drum. What music we shall make together!”

Isabella laughed beside him, and his heart warmed at the sound. “Perhaps I shall take up the flute so that I may join you.”

As the conversation meandered across every possible topic, Martin kept unusually quiet, not quite trusting himself to speak.

The sight of his newly expanded family getting along so well moved him deeply.

He never thought he lacked for anything growing up, but with Isabella by his side and his family surrounding him, he felt complete and contented as never before.

The future unfurled before him, full of possibility, despite the war.

For the rest of his life, Isabella would be his partner and companion in all things.

Whatever life held for them, he knew it would never be dull.