Page 31 of A Knight’s Reward

“After your excellent care, I should be.”

Gisela blushed. “I did not do much.” Except stir up his suspicions and unwittingly reveal you ran away from Ryle.

Yet, she saw no hint of their prior conversation in his expression. “I feel far better than I did when I arrived. You are an excellent bandager, Gisela. Where, if you do not mind my asking, did you acquire such a skill?”

Ada. But, Ada would not tell.

Gisela sensed the older woman’s concerned gaze, but resisted the urge to glance at her. Forcing a careless shrug, Gisela said, “I have tended a few of Ewan’s wounds.”

Tipping his head back, her little boy squinted up at her. “When did I need linen bandages?”

Regret clawed up inside her. She’d told another lie, more easily than the first. But, she wasn’t going to admit she’d been forced to care for her own wound after Ryle stabbed her. If Ada hadn’t come upon her and crying Ewan that rainy afternoon, after Gisela had collapsed on the verge on the town’s outskirts… If Ada hadn’t kindly taken them into her home, bought Gisela salve and fresh bandages, and taught her how to tend her wound… Gisela shuddered. She didn’t want to think what might have happened.

Dragging in a shaky breath, she said, “’Twas a long time ago, Button, when you were small.” Patting his shoulder, she looked at Dominic. “Before you leave, would you like some bread and honey?”

“Thank you, but nay. I have already stayed longer than I ought.”

Ada made a sound of complete agreement.

“Also, I have much to do this day.”

Gisela nodded, for she didn’t miss the hidden meaning in his words. He intended to resume his search for de Lanceau’s stolen shipment.

“If you need me, Anne, I plan to get a room at The Stubborn Mule Tavern.” Smiling pleasantly, he bowed to Ada, his movements clearly hampered by his injuries. “Good day to you.”

“Good day, milord.” She dropped into a stiff curtsy. With a loud sniff, she said, “Since I am on my way home, I shall accompany you out.”

Gisela expected Dominic’s expression to darken with irritation. He merely grinned, clearly enjoying the woman’s tart tone. “How thoughtful of you, Ada.”

Surprise widened the woman’s eyes. She blinked like a stunned owl.

Still grinning, Dominic faced Gisela. When his keen gaze fixed upon her, her arm instinctively tightened around Ewan. “Good day to you, young warrior,” Dominic said. His gaze held hers for a long, breath-stealing moment. “Good day, Sweet Daisy.”

Ada’s breath whooshed out. “Sweet Daisy? Why, you are an impertinent, mischievous rogue.”

Dominic chuckled. He sauntered past her, through the open doorway, and out into the darkened tailor’s premises. “Are you not going to accompany me, Ada? Do not disappoint me. I shall be devastated.”

Muttering under her breath, Ada stomped after him. The door slammed behind her.

Ewan tugged on Gisela’s sleeve. “Mama, why did he call you ‘Sweet Daisy’?”

Gisela tore her gaze from the wooden panel. Still, she half-listened for the sound of the outer shop door closing. To know at last, she and Ewan were once again alone.

“Mama?”

“Years ago, Dominic and I were very close… friends,” she said softly, guiding Ewan into the kitchen area. “‘Sweet Daisy’ was his name for me.”

“What does a daisy look like?”

She looked at her son, standing beside her, his expression serious. “You do not remember the daisies growing in the grass by our old home?”

Ewan shook his head.

She sensed his thoughts turning to the beautiful manor where he, she, and Ryle had struggled along as a family. Her happiest moments had been when Ryle was traveling to promote his cloth business. She and Ewan had spent carefree days in the garden, playing on the swing she’d made for him in the cherry tree, chasing a ball around the grass, and counting the sparrows that had swooped down to eat crumbs from their lunches.

Fie! She did not want to discuss their old home today.

“Mama—”