Page 80 of The Silent Songbird

“Of course. There is nothing to forgive.”

“Come, come,” Westley said, his voice loud as he laid one arm around each woman’s shoulder. “This is a strange way to spend the Harvest Festival. Let us go and enjoy ourselves.”

Lady le Wyse clasped Evangeline’s hand and looked into her eyes, her gaze at once penetrating and kind. “Thank you,” she whispered.

“Mother . . .”

“Very well. Go on.” She took a few steps away from them. “I must check on my youngest son and daughter upstairs, and all three of us will be there soon.”

Westley was already holding Evangeline’s hand again, heading toward the door.

“See you at the singing contest,” Westley said as they left the room.

“I nearly forgot.” Evangeline put a hand over her mouth.

“Forgot you will be singing this evening?”

“Yes.”

“I should get some food in you so you don’t faint on the stage.”

Evangeline laughed. “I won’t faint. I have sung for—” She stopped herself.

They seemed to be alone as they walked through the castletoward the front door, but she still did not think it wise to make any indiscreet announcements.

As they reached the door, Westley stopped and whispered near her ear, “You sang for the king. Is that what you were about to say?”

“Yes.”

“Evangeline.” He moved to stand in front of her, the smile gone from his face. “I know you are far above me in social status. You are the granddaughter of a king and King Richard’s cousin, but do you think you could—?”

“Westley! There you are.” Lord le Wyse started toward them from the other end of the corridor.

Westley seemed reluctant to tear his gaze from hers and glance at his father. Evangeline turned to face him as well.

“We must discuss what to do with John Underhill. He is making all sorts of threats. And when the men from Caversdown hear we have their lord locked away . . .”

“They might come and demand we set him free.”

“At the very least,” Lord le Wyse answered.

They stood talking over the possibilities while Evangeline listened. It was Lord le Wyse’s responsibility as the local lord to deal with lawbreakers, but John was also a lord, making it a more complicated situation. When they mentioned taking him to Berkhamsted Castle in the hopes that King Richard would still be there to hear the accusations against him, Evangeline felt her stomach dive like a swallow after an insect. The king would surely find out that she was in Glynval.

Lord le Wyse seemed to notice her. He bowed. “Forgive me, Evangeline. I will let you and Westley enjoy the festival for now, but he and I need to make a decision by tonight.” He turned to his son. “After the singing contest I want you back here.”

“Yes, Father.”

They hurried away, Westley’s hand on her elbow as he ushered her away from the house.

“As I was saying.” Westley cleared his throat. They were walking across the grassy area in front of the castle, headed back to the road that would take them to the meadow and the festival.

“Yes?”

“Would you ever consider marrying me, a man without a title, if it meant defying the king?”

“Yes. I would consider it.”

Did he say what she thought he said? It was not exactly a proposal of marriage, but very nearly. Her insides seemed to go numb at the thought of being so close to her greatest wish coming true. They stared into each other’s eyes.