Page 91 of Castle of Refuge

Edwin thought he heard someone calling him. He spun around. Audrey was hurrying across the bailey. He rushed toward her, relief flooding his veins.

“I am so sorry for worrying you,” she said.

He blew out a pent-up breath.Thank You, God. She’s safe.

“Where were you? I have all the servants and the guards searching for you.”

“Maybe not all.” Audrey nodded at someone behind him.

Edwin turned and saw three of his men staring at them.

“She has been found,” he said loudly enough for anyone in the bailey to hear. He turned back to Audrey. “What happened?”

Audrey lifted her hand and stared at the paper clutched inside it, as if she’d forgotten it was there.

“My littlest student, Lucinda, came to me after the lesson today and gave me this.”

He opened the wadded-up paper and read it. Then he looked at her. “You didn’t.” He immediately turned to yell at his men. “Go now to the burial mound. Maris was there a few minutes ago.”

They all hurried to mount their horses and rode away.

He gazed at Audrey.Thank You, God, that she is alive.But how could she have been so foolish?

“Forgive me. I know it was impulsive of me, but I was very careful, and apparently she did send Umfrey away. It was only her, and she was calmer this time.”

“I cannot believe, after she nearly murdered us...”

“I couldn’t bear the thought of one of these precious girls being frightened or getting killed. I thought I could save her. Do you forgive me?”

“Yes,” but his reply sounded grudging.

She gazed up at him with so much contrition, but his heartbeat still had not returned to normal, and he could still feel the effects of the blood pumping extra hard through his body, preparing to do battle, if need be, to get his lady back.

“I know it must have been very upsetting to find me gone. But you did not look for me long, did you?”

“That is not the matter under discussion. It is the amount of danger that you were in, the risk you took. Did you not trust me to look after you? Did you think I could not have found a way to save the girl?”

She looked sad. “I am sorry. But all is well now.”

He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Do you not know what you mean to me? How much I love you?” He spoke in as low a voice as possible, but part of him wanted to yell at her.

“I do know. You tried to give your life for me. I was there. I remember.” She pressed her palm to his cheek and looked deep into his eyes. “And I am sorry for worrying you.”

He still didn’t think she actually understood. But he was so relieved that she was alive, he might end up embarrassing himself in front of his men. So he took her hand and led her inside the castle.

***

Audrey let Edwin lead her inside. Her heart beat extra fast as she wondered how angry he was with her. But at least he was holding her hand.

They found Mistress Wattlesbrook looking quite frantic. Then the woman’s gaze alighted on Audrey.

“Sweet saints and angels, she is found.” She smiled, clutching her chest. “I shall go and tell the others.” She bustled off, calling to the servants, “She is found! All is well!”

Still holding Audrey’s hand, Edwin continued down the hall to the library. He closed the door behind them. He didn’t even look at her, just stood with his head down.

“Are you angry with me?”

He ran his hand over his jaw, taking another deep breath and letting it out. “No, I’m not angry with you.”