In the week that they’d been at Whetland Castle, it was quite clear why Juliet fell in love with Evan. The man’s every thought was directed at his wife. From the constant hand he had on the small of her back, to the look in his eyes when she was talking to him, to the way he’d snarled at Talen when Juliet had first introduced them.
Evan didn’t want any other man even looking at his wife and he was more than willing to crush anyone that glanced at her a little too long.
It was a good thing that Talen and Juliet had only ever been friends, nothing more. It was his saving grace and helpful, for Talen needed Juliet and her husband to help set this last piece of the puzzle right.
Talen hadn’t come to Whetland thinking he’d like Evan—the man had let his brother, Gilroy, torture Ness for years without interference. But somehow, Talen had found himself warming to the man.
It helped tremendously that the very first thing Evan had done when they had arrived was to pick up Ness in a bear hug and apologize profusely—grovel, even. Over and over. It was clear the torture he’d put upon himself for not knowing what Gilroy was doing to Ness. To being blind to it.
Despite himself, Talen had to appreciate the code of honor Evan lived by. Loyalty was everything to the man. And that his loyalty lie unequivocally with Juliet had to be respected.
Juliet got what she always deserved. A man that would love her wholly and fully.
For that alone, Talen had to like Evan.
But in these seconds, Evan was infuriating him. Talen should be strangling BaronGundallat the moment, his fingers crushing into Ness’s father’s throat, sending him to the floor, eking the life out of him slowly, so he could recall all of the horrid transgressions played against Ness and her mother. So he could beg for forgiveness. Pray for heaven.
When everyone already knew that only hell awaited the monster.
Talen expunged the murder scene from his mind with a long, silent exhale. He’d sworn to Evan that he would do Ness’s father no harm. Not in front of the ladies, at least.
Evan knew well enough that Talen’s promise would expire in due time. Possibly days. Or hours. Or minutes if Talen was lucky and Lord Gundall set one foot out of line or gave Ness even a glance of hostility.
He could be done with the bastard here and now.
Silence.
Silence permeated the cold room—a sparsely furnished space with cold stone walls. Only the worst rotters were brought in here to this drawing room. Most of the rooms in the rest of the castle had plush furniture, wall hangings, anything to make the castle warm and comfortable with bright fires always burning in the common rooms.
Not so this drawing room. It was colder in here than outside. No fire. Only hard chairs and the bench. A sure message to Ness’s father that he wouldn’t be staying long.
The silence intensified.
Talen also made the mistake of swearing he would be silent. He made that promise to his wife.
Another promise he didn’t think he could keep for any length of time.
But that was the thing about promises—they could be measured in seconds and be fulfilled.
His wife pulled tighter on the shawl about her shoulders and Talen’s look flickered to her. Ness had purposely sat on the chair closest to where her father was seated. Talen had wanted her by his side on the bench, but she had insisted on sitting apart. She wanted to face her father on her own terms, not skulking and cowering under Talen’s arm.
Begrudgingly, he’d agreed.
Begrudgingly, he’d been proud of her. He knew how sitting there, staring at her father terrorized her, even if she didn’t show it.
But she was strong now. Strong enough to not let him bully her. Not let him chisel away even a speck of the courage she now possessed.
He’d let it be, but that had left Talen alone on the bench with Evan hulking over the side of him, as Juliet’s husband hadn’t bothered to sit. He knew the baron wasn’t going to be here long.
Talen’s hawk eyes studied Lord Gundall. One little motion. That was all he needed from the bastard. One pinky raised toward Ness and Talen could spring, be damned Evan’s iron clamp on his shoulder.
“But, but…” Lord Gundall’s face twisted, red splotching his pasty skin from his balding head to his jowly neck. He’d just been told of his daughter’s marriage.
“But nothing,” Ness stated plainly with no emotion. “I have made a fine match without your interference. I am happy. My husband is happy. You are owed nothing from us.” Her eyes narrowed at her father. “Nothing. We offer you exactly what you gave me in life. Nothing.”
The red splotches expanded, spittle gathering at the corners of the baron’s mouth, his top lip snarling as his forefinger jabbed about the room. “I will tear this marriage apart one way or another for this betrayal. You’ll see. You’ll all see and rot in the consequences.”
Ness very simply shook her head. “You will do no such thing. Talen and I are married and you can no longer touch me, Father. In fact, you will never see me again, nor will you attempt to intervene in our lives in any way.”