The Velvet Promise (Montgomery/Taggert 2)

“You have a ready answer,” Stephen said suspiciously.

“For all that you and your brother think otherwise, I have a brain to think with and eyes to see.”

He studied her in the dim light. “You were brave to come here, though misguided.”

“Should I take that as a compliment?”

“As you wish.”

Judith narrowed her eyes. “Your mother must have been glad her second sons were not as her first two.”

Stephen stared at her, then began to smile. “You must lead my brother a merry chase. Now stop baiting me and let me see a way out of this mess you have made.”

“I—!” she began then stopped. He was right, of course.

He ignored her outburst. “You succeeded in getting Gavin cleaned and fed, though your methods were disagreeable to my belly.”

“Should I have run and embraced him?” she asked sarcastically.

“No, you did right. I don’t believe he is well enough to travel yet, and he would be a hindrance to us as he is. But he is strong. In two days, with care, he will recover enough that we can escape. I must leave the castle and get help.”

“My men are outside.”

“Yes, I know. But my men are not here. I came nearly alone when I heard Gavin needed me. My men follow, but it will take at least two more days for them to reach us. I must go and lead them here.”

She touched his arm again. “I will be alone again.”

He smiled at her and traced the line of her jaw. “Yes, you will. But you will manage. See that Gavin is cared for and regains his strength. When I return, I will get all of you out of here.”

She nodded, then looked down at her hands.

He lifted her chin and looked into her eyes. “Don’t be angry with me. I thought you wanted Gavin dead. Now I see it isn’t so.”

She smiled tentatively. “I’m not angry. Only I am sick of this place, that man pawing me, the other—”

He put his finger to her lips. “Keep him from you a little longer. Can you do that?”

“I will try. I was beginning to give up hope.”

He bent and kissed her forehead. “Gavin is fortunate,” he whispered. Then he rose and left her.

Chapter Twenty

“HAVE YOU SEEN HIM?” JUDITH ASKED AS SHE ROSE FROM her bed. It was the morning after she’d seen Stephen, and now she asked Joan what she’d discovered about Gavin.

“Yes,” Joan answered. “And he is handsome once again. I feared the filth of that place had taken his looks from him.”

“You think too much of looks.”

“And perhaps you think too little of them!” Joan retorted.

“But Gavin is well? He hasn’t been harmed by that foul place?”

“I am sure the food you sent kept him alive.”

Judith paused. And what of his mind? How had he reacted to her throwing wine in his face? “Fetch me the serf’s garment I wore. It has been washed?”

“You cannot go to him,” Joan stated flatly. “If you were caught—”