“You’ll stay,” Adam said decisively. “We were just finishing. John has duties to attend to, anyway.”
He was all but throwing his son out of the tent, but John obeyed his father like a good lad. He moved away from the table, excusing himself, as Adam demanded Jax sit and join him in some wine. From Tuscany, he said, pouring some for Jax as the man sat down. Sitting opposite him, he collected his own cup and lifted it to Jax.
“To our friendship,” he said. “And our alliance. Both are very valuable to me.”
Jax lifted his cup before drinking deeply of the rich, red wine. He smacked his lips. “Excellent,” he said. “But, then again, everything you have is excellent. You are a man of taste.”
Adam flashed his big, if not slightly yellowed, teeth. “Everything I am came from my father, Alexander,” he said. “You never knew him, did you?”
Jax shook his head. “Nay,” he said. “But I would have many years ago had I laid siege to Northwood like I planned. Fortunately for your father, I was stopped at White Crag and then I married my wife, who made me promise not to continue my dreams of conquest. Alas, Northwood was spared.”
Adam chuckled. “Thank God,” he said, his smile fading. “I was very young at the time, when you were active on the borders, shall we say. I am glad you gave it up. I like you much better as an ally than as an enemy.”
Jax grinned, drinking from his cup. The wine was quite tasty. “I would not worry about our association changing anytime soon,” he said. “I, too, like you better as an ally.”
Adam’s gaze lingered on him a moment before sitting back in his chair. “That is good,” he said. “And I hope it holds true for always because there is a reason why I wanted to see you so badly, Jax. There is something I must tell you.”
“What is it?”
Adam scratched his head. “It is difficult to know where to start,” he said. “I have two children, John and Audrie, and I am proud of both of them. But women… Jax, you have three daughters. Do you understand them? The way they think?”
Jax snorted. “God, no,” he said. “I wish I did. It would make my life much easier. Allaston was the obedient one, a good girl. I suppose I never had to worry about her, but Effie and Addie can drive a man to drink. My wife tells me to be patient with them, but there are times I want to run from my home screaming and tearing my hair out.”
Adam laughed softly. “I understand completely,” he said. “Dealing with Audie sometimes has me contemplating throwing myself from the battlements. But the truth is that I would do anything for her, to ensure her happiness. And I know you would do the same for your daughters.”
“Unfortunate, but true,” Jax said. “We only want to see them happy.”
Adam drew in a deep, contemplative breath. “And that is what I must speak to you about,” he said. “Audie wants to marry.”
“I know. To Cole.”
Adam shook his head. “Nay, not to Cole,” he said. “To be honest, she has hardly seen Cole over the past couple of years and when he did visit, it was only for a day and then he was gone again. You know what they say, Jax – out of sight, out of mind. Audie has found love with the Earl of Sunderland’s son, Ren. They wish to marry but I told them I had to speak to you first, to make sure there would be no hard feelings if Audie did not marry Cole.”
Jax didn’t seem overly upset by it. “If she has found love elsewhere, they would only both be miserable if we forced them to wed, and I do not wish to see Cole miserable,” he said. “He has had enough misery losing Mary and Lucy. He is fond of Audie, but if we are being honest, I never believed he was in love with her. Fond, aye. Love, no.”
Adam seemed very relieved. “Then you do not think this will upset him?”
“He is not an emotional man, Adam. He will wish her well, of course, but I do not think he will be heartbroken.”
“Then you will speak to him?”
“I will. Do not be troubled.”
Adam puffed out his cheeks and wiped a hand over his face. “Thank you, Jax,” he said. “I have been anxious for this moment. You have eased my mind considerably. I very much wish for our families to be joined in marriage, but not with Cole and Audie. One of your daughters does not wish to marry John, do they?”
Jax grinned as Adam laughed. “Allie and Effie are spoken for,” he said. “Addie is… well, she is young. Mayhap too young for John. Why? Has he shown any interest in my daughters?”
“Nay,” Adam said. “But I thought I’d ask. There’s a young woman he has shown some interest in over in Carlisle. Helena is her name, the daughter of a rich merchant, but John is to inherit my titles and lands, so I was hoping for a better match than that.”
“He is getting older, Adam. Mayhap you’d better let him settle for the merchant’s daughter.”
“Mayhap.”
They sat a moment in silence, downing the rest of their wine as Jax thought on how he would break the news to Cole that Audrie de Longley was to marry another. That reminded him that he was to meet his son at the tavern in town, so he finished his wine and stood up.
“I am sorry to cut this short, but I have an appointment to keep,” he said. “Thank you for the wine and the conversation. We should not let so much time pass between visits.”
Adam stood up. “It is my fault,” he said. “I will make more of an effort to visit you and your lovely wife. I know my own wife would like that. She thinks highly of Kellington.”
Jax smiled gratefully. “As do I,” he said. “I will see you on the morrow.”
“We’ll teach the Scots a thing or two, won’t we?”
“Indeed, we will.”
Quitting the tent, Jax headed out into the night, in the direction of the gently glowing town in the distance.
“You were very thoughtful to do this,” Corisande said as she stood in the door of her newly rented room. “I almost feel guilty that I left Gaia back in the encampment. Almost.”
Cole was standing in the doorway, too, grinning as the tavernkeeper’s wife finished with the last details of the room, making sure the fire was banked and the bed had enough warm covers on it. She looked anxiously at Corisande.
“Will ye be wanting a bath?” she asked.
Corisande hesitated, not wanting to sound demanding, but Cole spoke up for her.
“Bring her one,” he said. “Quickly, now.”
Before Corisande could stop the woman, she fled the chamber and left Corisande standing there in uncertainty.
“You did not have to do that,” she said. “I do not require a bath. Truly, Cole, the bed is quite enough.”
He leaned against the doorjamb, a smile playing on his lips. “For what you are about to face for the next few days, let me provide what comfort I can for you,” he said. “Please. I want to.”
Corisande set her satchel on the bed. “You are very thoughtful,” she said. “But I have told you that I have faced battle before, Cole. I know what is coming. I am under no illusions that it will be pleasant.”
He simply nodded his head, averting his gaze because he didn’t want to say what he’d already said to her, too many times. In truth, he wasn’t entirely sure how he was going to fight a battle and think only of his own safety when he knew she was somewhere nearby, dealing with the results of that horror. Men who had been maimed and punctured would be coming under her care, her sweet and wonderful care, and that was so much to ask of a woman. Any woman, much less “his” woman.