Page 88 of Castle of Refuge

She looked hard at each one of them.

“We promise,” they all chimed.

“There are a lot of preparations for a wedding and a ball, so I am a little apprehensive about those things.” As well as about Maris, who still had not been captured, but she would not share that with her students.

“Have you ever been to a ball?” Susannah asked.

“I actually have not.” When she’d been fifteen, her father often mentioned throwing a ball, inviting several unmarried noblemen or noblemen whose sons were unmarried and not betrothed. But after Maris caused her scars, her father never brought up the ball again.

“I did have dance instructors who taught me how to dance.” Although it had been a while since she’d practiced. Would she embarrass herself in front of everyone Edwin knew and loved?

Yes, if she was honest, she was very nervous.

Perhaps she could get Edwin to practice the dances with her tonight. That could be enjoyable—a wonderful excuse to get close to him, as they’d hardly shared even a hand squeeze the last few days with so many guests around.

She waved fare well to the children from the door of thecastle. A few of them had parents waiting to walk them home. They never did that before Maris started causing so much trouble. Audrey’s heart sank at the fact that they felt the need to do so, but she was also glad the children would have some adults walking with them. There were also more guards than usual, as Edwin had his brothers, as well as his brother-in-law, the Duke of Strachleigh, and some of his men patrolling the area to keep watch for Maris and her henchman. With so many guards, how could she not feel safe?

While Audrey was watching her students walk down the lane toward the village, her youngest student, Lucinda, who had not been in class that day, came walking up from around the side bailey.

“Lucinda! I missed you today.”

The child came closer. By the expression on her face, Audrey could tell that something was wrong. Then Audrey saw it—the rolled-up piece of paper clutched in her little fist.

Audrey’s heart jumped into her throat as her breath shallowed. She took the proffered paper, held on protectively to Lucinda’s shoulder, and glanced around.

Guards milled about the bailey. The other children and their mothers were walking together, getting farther and farther away. A groom was brushing a horse.

She quickly read the message.

Sister dear, please come to the burial mound north of Dericott. I am holding this little girl’s sister. Come with only this little girl. If I see anyone else with you, I will kill hersister. I have a knife to her throat even as you’re reading this. You do not need guards, as I have sent Umfrey away.

Your sister,

Maris

Audrey’s hand trembled as she finished reading the note. She glanced around again. No one seemed to be paying any attention to her and Lucinda.

God, I can’t let Lucinda’s sister die.She happened to have a knife in the chatelaine purse hanging from her belt. Would that be enough weapon against Maris, if it was only her and not Umfrey she had to fight?

Of course, Maris could be lying about Umfrey no longer being with her. But how else was she able to evade all the guards who were out looking for them?

It could also be a trap, but if she told Edwin about it, he would never allow her to go alone. She had to go and save Lucinda’s sister. Her heart was pounding. She couldn’t let the child die, but Edwin would be so disappointed in her for running off by herself. Still, she couldn’t tell him. Besides, once Maris released the little girl, she could run back home and tell the guards where Maris was, and they could track her from the burial mound.

Her thoughts were spinning and contradicting each other, her head pounding almost as hard as her heart. Part of her wanted to run inside and tell Edwin everything. She wanted his help, his approval of her plan, though he would never approve of her going on her own. She was taking a big risk. Maris couldrelease the child but harm Audrey, which was no doubt what she wanted.

“Teacher, please.” Tears were running down Lucinda’s cheeks, leaving a clear track through the dust on her face. “The woman said I had to bring you back or she would do something bad to my sister.”

“Let us go, then.”

Audrey held tightly to Lucinda’s hand and hurried down the steps. They walked quickly toward the back of the castle but did not run, not wanting to draw attention.

She was being impulsive, just like when she ran away from home, and just like when she ran away from Dericott Castle when Sir Clement came looking for her. But how could she refuse Lucinda’s desperate eyes, her tears, her pleas to save her sister?

They took the path that Edwin had taken to show her the burial mound and the trench. Was she doing the right thing?God, help me. Keep me safe. Help me keep these children safe.She would proceed carefully.God, tell me what to do.If only she could hear God’s voice instructing her. But her thoughts were so loud, twisted, and tangled, she probably could not have heard God if He had spoken to her.

As she neared the field that bordered the burial mound, she slowed, still holding on to little Lucinda’s hand. She had been silent since they left the castle.

“Are you all right?” she asked the little girl, bending to look into her face. Her heart constricted in pity at the poor child’s terrified expression.