Page 66 of The Knight’s Reward

“This,” a familiar voice boomed, “looks dangerous.”

Kathryn spun toward the sound, not having seen him enter. Her heartbeat thudded in her ears at the sight of him striding toward her, all confidence and determination. She couldn’t help but wonder at his purpose this morn.

And how she had not realized earlier that Sara’s assessment were true.

She had done the most foolish thing a woman in her circumstances could do—she’d fallen in love with Neill Waryn.

* * *

Neill exchanged glances with Geoffrey, who knew what he was about to do. His brother did not agree with his decision, but neither would he stop him.

“This is the impetuous boy of our youth,” he’d said. “You would undo all you’d fought for. Jeopardize everything.”

While Geoffrey was still dressed from training, Neill had changed before coming to the hall. But his brother had insisted on going down to the hall with him. Likely to give him angry looks in the hopes he’d desist from “his folly.”

He hadn’t hesitated to remind Geoffrey of the unique circumstances of his own marriage to Sara. Indeed, each of their siblings had wed under strained circumstances.

Geoffrey had merely harrumphed at that, but as they walked toward the dais, Neill knew he was making the right decision. He’d thought of little else since leaving Kathryn’s chamber.

He’d thought of little else since the day she’d begged him to take her away from The Wild Boar.

“Good morn, gentlemen.”

When his brother placed a kiss on Sara’s hand, Neill looked at him pointedly as if to remind him of the reason for his own resolve.

Geoffrey merely scowled at him—a fit of pique Neill ignored as he stepped up to the woman who had kept him from sleep. She looked lovely that morning in a pale yellow gown. Simple but beautiful, like the woman who wore it.

“Good morn, my lady.”

“And to you.”

He offered a hand. “I thought perhaps you might enjoy a tour of the castle?”

Kathryn hesitated, glancing back at Sara. An interesting development. Yesterday, they’d been friendly with each other, exceedingly so. Today there was something . . . conspiratorial . . . about their exchange.

“I would very much enjoy that.”

She stood, and Neill backed away to allow her to step down from the dais.

“Be sure to show her the Sea Gate.”

If such a thing were possible, Geoffrey’s scowl deepened at Sara’s words. The countess still supported their cause, knowing, as she did, about Lady Alina.

“A fine idea, thank you, Sara.”

They left the hall together. Although he had planned to take Kathryn on a tour—his invitation not merely an excuse to get her alone—Sara’s idea gave him pause. Aye, they would go to the Sea Gate straightaway.

“Shall we start with Sara’s suggestion?”

“If it pleases you.”

He tried not to smile at her unexpected shyness. Kathryn was as bold a maid as ever he’d met, yet this morning she looked away.

Neill had only stayed at Kenshire a short time before being sent to Langford, but he knew it well enough to navigate them through the hall to a door tucked away at the end of a long corridor. Opening it, he gestured for Kathryn to step ahead.

They navigated the dark and increasingly damp passageway to another door that looked as if it had not been often used.

“Mind your step,” he said, the stone stairs descending downward in a spiral. Darkness enveloped them. Feeling their way down, they finally came to yet another door, which Neill pushed open with one of the keys he’d retrieved from Peter, Kenshire’s steward, for their tour.