Knights Read Online Free PDF Page B

generations. Dane doubted that anyone remembered what had caused the original disagreement, but enough had happened since to ensure ongoing hostilities. “I intend to stay,” he said.
    Gareth heaved a sigh of relief. “Good tidings, indeed,” he replied, settling back in his hard chair and assessing Dane again, very thoughtfully. “What is it, then? Say what you must, brother—we have rejoicing to do, what with your return and Edward’s impending knighthood—and when you’ve made your speech, we’ll both join your rowdy men at the tavern.” He paused, and a sparkle glinted in his eyes. “Unless you want to spend the remains of the day with Gloriana, of course.”
    Dane swore under his breath. “No,” he said wearily, shoving splayed fingers through his hair. “But we must speak of my wife, ’tis true.” He paused, in misery, and then blurted, “I wish to annul the marriage to Gloriana.”
    The color drained from Gareth’s face, and he seemed coiled in his chair, like a beast about to spring. “On what grounds?” he rasped. “By God, Dane, if you dare to impugn the lady’s morals—”
    Dane felt a throbbing in the side of his neck, along with a sensation of rising heat. “I do not,” he interruptedsharply. “How could I, when I have not laid eyes on her in three and ten years? And that is exactly my point—Gloriana and I are strangers. We have no love for each other, as you and Elaina have, and I shall not spend whatever is left of my life with a woman I neither know nor care about. I wish to marry another.”
    An awful silence fell, during which Gareth remained in his chair, though Dane had the distinct impression that his brother was barely restraining himself from violence. Finally, Lord Hadleigh spoke.
    “You are a knight,” he said. “Where is your honor?”
    The word struck Dane in the belly and quivered there like the point of a lance, even though he’d long since worked that question through for himself. “Where is the honor in sharing a house with one woman and loving another?” he asked. “Tell me, Gareth—shall I do either lady credit by making one a mistress and forcing the other to wear the meaningless mantle of ’wife’?”
    At last, Gareth hoisted himself from his chair, and though he kept a careful distance, Dane noted that his brother’s hands were curled into loose fists. “You are a fool,” Gareth said. “No other kind of man would spurn such a one as Gloriana.”
    “If you are so taken with the lady,” Dane suggested evenly, moving off the stool, “then marry her yourself,”
    Gareth turned away. “Damn your eyes, Dane, you know that is impossible.”
    “What I know,” Dane pressed, though gently, “is that your wife is moonstruck, now weeping, now laughing, now wandering off into the countryside like a witless child. I know that she has never given you asingle heir. Elaina would be none the wiser, Gareth, if you put her aside and took another wife. Or have her requirements changed since I went away? Does Elaina ask more of you these days than occasional visits and pretty trinkets?”
    Gareth was a long time in facing his brother again, and when he did, there were tears glistening in his eyes. “I love Elaina,” he said simply, fiercely. “What glib remedy have you to offer for
that,
Kenbrook?”
    Dane met Gareth’s gaze directly, though he wanted to do otherwise. He had known, after all, that the interview would be difficult, and he had steeled himself for it.
    “None,” he replied coolly. “I, too, am fond of Elaina. She was ever kind to me, and I would defend her against any foe—you must know that. But her mind is unstable, Gareth. It wouldn’t matter to her if you kept a harem, as long as you continued to visit her at the abbey as you’ve always done.”
    Gareth sighed. “On this subject, I fear we shall never agree,” he said.
    “Will you tell me, then, that you have not been with a woman since Elaina’s confinement began?” Dane put the