Page 78 of A Knight’s Reward

Distress flickered across her features. He’d not meant to speak so harshly, but the words had slipped out, laden with frustration and resentment.

“I know you are angry with me,” she said quietly.

He raised his hands, palms up. Now was not the time for an emotionally wrenching discussion. He had a great deal to do.

“I cannot fault your rage,” she went on, her gaze pleading, “but Ewan must not suffer for decisions I made. He must not come to harm. I will protect him, with my own life if need be, if you tell me what you intend to do.”

Admiration softened the edge off Dominic’s annoyance. Her love for Ewan shone brightly in her eyes. Whatever transpired, Dominic had no wish to endanger their son’s life.

Or hers. Regardless of her crimes, he wouldn’t fail to protect her, like the chivalrous knights Ewan admired.

“I am sorry, Gisela, but I cannot tell you yet.”

“Why not?”

“You might betray me.”

She jerked back as though he had bellowed. Her face paled. “To Crenardieu? Never!” Standing tall, she clenched her hands by her sides. She looked as determined as Ewan when he’d attacked with his wooden sword.

Mayhap he was a witless fool, but Dominic believed her. She wouldn’t deliberately betray him. However, betrayal occurred in the most subtle of ways. A wrong word, an unintentional glance, a gesture⁠—

“You do not trust me,” she said before Dominic could reply. “I cannot blame you. Yet, please believe me when I say Crenardieu is a very dangerous man.”

“I know.”

“He and his hired thugs control Clovebury. They will kill you, if they sense you are conspiring against them.”

“Then they must not find out.” Crouching again, Dominic reached for the boards to cover the hiding place. “I will return shortly.” Raising a brow, he looked up at her. “I trust you will let me back inside?”

Gisela scowled. “If I do not, you will merely find another way in.”

He chuckled at her surly tone. “Very true.” The planks back in place, he rose. “Do not let anyone in while I am gone. I will return as soon as I can.”

Without another word, she let him out. Twilight had turned the street into a land of shadows, on the cusp of darkness.

He began to walk away.

“Dominic,” Gisela called after him. “Be careful.”

“Mama, where is Dominic?”

As her hand dropped from the door handle, Gisela glanced to where Ewan sat cross-legged on the floor in front of the pallets. Ada sat opposite him. Between them they held the cloth dragon and Sir Smug, poised for more rambunctious play.

“I heard Dominic a moment ago. Is he still in the shop?”

Expectation brightened Ewan’s eyes. He obviously wished to see Dominic again—to have his “warrior to warrior” talk. A bittersweet pang dimmed the unease pressing upon Gisela’s soul. When they told him Dominic was his father, he would take the news well—one good element from the unraveling string of disasters.

“Dominic had to leave,” she said, managing to smile. “He had some business to attend.”

Ada’s brows drew together. “Now? ’Tis nightfall.”

Ewan rolled his eyes. “Dominic is a grown warrior.”

“And a rogue,” Ada said under her breath, while straightening the kink in the dragon’s tail.

The little boy frowned at Ada. His expression turned thoughtful. “Mama, you told me ’tis not safe to be out in the town alone, especially after dark.”

She had, indeed, told him such, for his own safety. She didn’t want him, in a moment of rebellious curiosity, to sneak out at night to explore while she lay sleeping. “Aye, Button.”