On impulse, Helen took Liana’s hand. “Please do not consider this man. He would eat you alive for breakfast.”
Liana’s head was reeling. “I am made of stronger stuff than you think,” she whispered.
Helen drew back. “No,” she whispered. “Do not think of it. You cannot consider marriage to the man.”
Liana looked away from her stepmother. Perhaps there was some other reason Helen wanted to keep her away from Rogan. Perhaps she wanted him for herself. Perhaps they had been lovers when she’d lived near him, while her first husband was alive.
Liana was about to say as much when Joice entered the room.
“My lady,” she said to Liana. “Sir Robert Butler has arrived. He asks for your hand in marriage.”
“Accept him,” Helen said instantly. “Accept him. I know his father. An excellent family.”
Liana looked from Joice to Helen and knew she could take no more. She pushed past the two women and hurried down the stairs, Helen and Joice following her as fast as they could.
In the courtyard below stood eleven men, all splendidly dressed, their velvet tunics trimmed in gold, their caps fashionably arranged in the latest extravagance, jewels on their fingers sparkling in the sunlight.
Liana tried to pass them to reach the stables in the outer courtyard. A hard ride might clear her head. But Helen stopped her by grabbing her elbow.
“Sir Robert?” Helen said.
Reluctantly, Liana turned to look at the man. He was young, handsome, with dark brown hair and eyes. He was beautifully dressed and he smiled at her sweetly.
She hated him at first sight.
“This is my stepdaughter, Lady Liana,” Helen said. “How is your father?”
Liana stood there stiffly, listening to the two of them exchange pleasantries and wanting desperately to get away. She had to go somewhere and think, for she had the decision of her life to make. Should she marry a man who smirked at her, who made her wash his clothes?
“I’m sure Liana would love to go with you. Wouldn’t you, Liana?” Helen asked.
“What?”
“Sir Robert has agreed to accompany you on your ride. He will protect you from any harm as well as your own father would, won’t you, Sir Robert?”
Liana hated the way Helen smiled at the man. Was she actually sleeping with men besides her husband? “And who will protect me from him?” Liana said sweetly, looking at Helen. “But then I wear no jewels, so perhaps I’ll be safe.”
Helen gave Liana a quelling look. “My stepdaughter is indeed amusing.” She glared at Liana. “But not too amusing, I hope.” She pushed Liana forward. “Go with him,” she hissed.
Hesitantly, Liana walked through to the outer courtyard, where her horse was stabled.
“I had hoped to win your hand because of your father’s lands,” Sir Robert said in a pleasant voice, “but now that I have seen you, you are a prize in yourself.”
“Oh?” She stopped and turned to face him. “Are my eyes like emeralds or sapphires?”
His eyes widened in surprise. “I would say sapphires.”
“My skin is like ivory or the finest satin?”
He gave her a little smile. “I would say the petals of the whitest rose.”
Her eyes hardened. “And my hair?”
His smile widened. “Your hair is hidden.”
She jerked off her headdress. “Gold?” she asked angrily.
“Sunlight on gold.”