Edward straightened up from the table, meeting Isaac’s gaze. “I am attempting to do just that, with this marriage, to you. My lands are under threat, do you understand that? Or are you so caught up in her pretty smile that you don’t see the danger all around? By wedding my daughter to you, I create a link to the Hales. With Derek’s power behind me, I can put a stop to the petty harassment along my borders, and perhaps these lands — not just mine — can find something like peace again!”
“She is much more than a pretty smile, Sir. She’s the love of my life, and hopefully one day, the mother to my children. I fell in love with her the first moment I saw her — not because of her looks, but because she was protecting children, willing to sacrifice herself for them. That’s the daughter you missed out on,” he murmured lowly and shook his head, taking a step back from him. “But by all means, I’ll help where I can, and organise a meeting with my brother, if that is of interest to you.”
Only a brief twitch of the mouth betrayed Edward’s response to Isaac’s description of Summer. Much more gently, he said, “There’s nothing more to be done at the moment. The wedding won’t take place for a month, and the dispersal of the knights participating in the tournament will do enough to protect the lands.
Go back to her. Make her smile again, and again, and again. I will send for you when I need you.”