Free The Everlasting Covenant by Robyn Carr

the stair, ready to send her to her chamber with a final word when Marcella descended. “ Jesu, does the wench still lament her nurse? I have never wit nessed such indulgence as this, ” Marcella said.
    Brennan frowned and looked at Marcella with distaste. “ Madam, you have a heart so cold I find it difficult to believe you have borne one so gentle. ” He looked down at Anne. “ Eat something that will not upset and take a full goblet of wine. Food and rest will cure most of this ill, and what else, time will heal. ” He touched his lips to her brow. “ Go on, love. I will be near. ”
    Anne stole a look at her mother. There was anger in Marcella ’ s eyes and the hostility seemed to be toward Anne. She had become so accustomed to her mother ’ s indifference that she could not understand the hostility she saw. Could you hate someone you never noticed? But it occurred to her for the first time that her mother hated her. She could not remember ever hurting her mother, not in her worst mischief as a child. Yet there was no mistaking the cold contempt in those icy blue eyes. She shuddered with revulsion and fear.
    “ Do not leave me soon, Brennan, ” she said, feeling he was her only friend just now.
    “ I will be near, until you are better, ” he said. His eyes appeared brighter, as if grateful that she should need him.
    “ Thank you, ” she whispered. She passed her mother on the stair, but could not look at her again. She followed Brennan ’ s instructions, ate and drank what she could, and slept deeply. And, much to her relief, dreamlessly.
     

 
     
     
    Chapter F our
     
    Anne might not have recovered from her severe mel ancholia had it not been for the tender encouragement of Lord Forbes. Brennan ’ s patient understanding and steadfast pres ence eased her through the weeks following Dylan ’ s departure. She grew attached to him and depended heavily on his loyal support. She began, in a way, to love him. It was impossible to be indifferent to a man so kind and devoted. She knew it was not the love of a bride – absent was the fierce tension of longing, the heat of desire. She also knew that she did not display the passion and yearning Brennan would have liked in return. Nonetheless, Brennan Forbes had earned a small place in the heart of young Anne Gifford.
    Brennan stayed at Raedelle for a fortnight following his prom ise to stay near to Anne, and then he reluctantly departed. He hurried through his own business of establishing forces and funds for the Duke of York ’ s armies, and returned to Raedelle a few days before Christmas. He came laden with gifts. Many of the gifts were chosen specifically for Anne, but the entire Gifford family was remembered generously by the rich and powerful earl.
    Anne greeted Brennan warmly, surprised and genuinely pleased by his return. She had assumed he would be occupied during the Christmas celebration, if not by his politics, then with his son. Until he arrived, she had been very lonely, for there was no one for her. Minerva was gone, and Trenton, who in quieter times would talk to her and sing his songs, had been caught up in the excitement of building forces. There was good reason she would be happy to welcome a friend. In her happiness, she served him promptly, made him comfortable in the common room before a blazing hearth and in the company of many of her family members, and excused herself to change into a better gown. She returned quickly, her dark hair still unbound and shimmering down her back, wearing her best rose-colored vel vet.
    Brennan had brought a special gift for Anne. It was the mar riage ring that had been his mother ’ s and had been retrieved from the fingers of his two dead wives. As he sensed her growing acceptance of him, he became impatient to impress her, to hurry her. And he couldn ’ t wait to see the look in her eyes when she spied the magnificent diamond marriage ring.
    He invited her to sit beside him and presented the small