Page 83 of A Knight’s Reward

His little body trembled on a sob. “I love you, Mama.”

“I love you, too.”

“Even though I opened your box?”

“Aye.” She kissed him.

Another noisy sniffle drew her gaze to Ada, who dabbed her eyes with her sleeve. “Look at me! I am blubbering like a babe,” she said, laughing.

“Come on,” Gisela said, giving Ewan one last kiss. “Let us tidy up these things.”

Together they gathered the items and returned them to the box. All but the tattered daisy-chain necklace.

“Mayhap it can be repaired,” Ada said, glancing down at the shreds in Gisela’s hand.

“I do not think so,” Gisela said. “’Twould be easiest to make another.”

“Easiest, mayhap,” Ada agreed, “but ’twould never be the same.”

The poignant note in the woman’s voice squeezed Gisela’s heart. Ada spoke true. Never could Gisela replace the love and memories woven into the necklace Dominic had made her.

After tucking her treasure box away, she went to put the daisy chain on the table, for she wasn’t ready to toss the bits into the fire. As she gently set the fragments down, a loud hammering started on her shop door. She jumped and glanced over at the panel that separated her home from her premises. Dread slashed through her.

“’Tis Dominic,” Ewan said, rushing to her side.

“I expect so.” She dried her clammy hands on her gown. “Yet, he does not usually knock in that way.”

Before, when he visited you, he did not realize you had de Lanceau’s blue silk. Now, he knows the truth. Dominic has come to tell you what to say when Crenardieu visits tomorrow—and reveal your fate.

“I shall go with you to the door,” Ewan said.

Gisela shook her head, a dull ache spreading inside her. “Button⁠—”

“Ye should stay ’ere with me.” Ada reached over to pick up the bowl of hazelnuts. She pushed the coins underneath, hiding them from view. She winked at Gisela.

Another knock sounded—more of a fist slamming on the wood.

Gisela scowled. Dominic had no right to demand her in such a way.

Oh, but he does. You are a criminal, Gisela. Quickly! Let him in. Do not make him even more angry with you.

She stepped into her premises, shut the panel behind her, and hurried to the outer door. Her shaking fingers touched the top bolt. But, the tiniest flare of doubt made her hesitate. “Who is there?” she called.

“Open the door, Gisela.”

Crenardieu!

Oh, God, what could he want?

Dominic would be returning at any moment. If he saw Crenardieu, and believed she meant to betray him by handing over the silks to the Frenchman⁠—

She had to turn Crenardieu away.

“I am busy at the moment,” she said. “Please return in the morning, as we arranged.”

Muttered voices came from outside, followed by a grisly thud—the sound of something hitting the door.

A man groaned.