Page 39 of Castle of Refuge

So she was more worried about her father than about Sir Clement? But...

“Do you wish to marry Sir Clement?”

She shook her head vigorously.

More horse hooves drew near. Sir Clement was coming their way. Audrey seemed to shrink as she wrapped her arms around her bag and lowered her head.

“Is this Audrey?” Sir Clement dismounted his horse and addressed Edwin.

Why didn’t Sir Clement speak directly to the woman? He walked toward them.

“You don’t have to worry,” Sir Clement said to her, even though she still hadn’t looked up at him. “I will not force you to marry me. But I do have to tell your father that I found you and that you are safe.”

“Please don’t tell him where I am.” She was staring right into Sir Clement’s face now, her eyes wide.

Sir Clement rubbed a hand down his cheek and grimaced. No doubt he was thinking about the consequences of defying the viscount, who would demand to know where his daughter was living.

“I shall tell him you are under my protection,” Edwin said. “And I will not allow you to be mistreated while you are at Dericott Castle, nor will I allow anyone, even your father, to take you away against your will.”

Audrey’s mouth fell open.

“That could get you in a lot of trouble,” Sir Clement said. “It would be easier just to tell him I never found her.”

“But that would be a lie, and you are no liar.” Edwin could not let his friend violate his conscience.

“The girl does not want to go back to her father’s house,but why? I have said I won’t marry her against her wishes.” Sir Clement turned to stare at Audrey. “You should return to your father.”

Perhaps now that no one else was around except Sir Clement, it was time to ask her some specific questions.

***

Audrey’s hands still trembled from the terror of nearly being bitten by the snake, as well as the subsequent relief of being rescued by Lord Dericott. Seeing Sir Clement come riding up made her tremble for a different reason.

But hearing Lord Dericott say she was under his protection and that he would not allow her to be taken back against her will made her catch her breath. Her heart fluttered as she looked into his eyes. Could he be so kind, so protective of someone he hardly knew? He was so different from Father.

But now Sir Clement was staring hard at her. No doubt he resented the fact that she was causing so much trouble, she who was only a girl.

Her father had said that to her once. “You’re only a girl. Why are you making such a fuss? You’re hurting my ears.”

Maris had cut a large hunk out of Audrey’s hair, and Audrey had cried and yelled at her father for not punishing her sister for the act of meanness and jealousy.

Neither Lord Dericott nor Sir Clement looked as dismissive and annoyed as her father had looked that day. But her heart trembled in fear at being similarly dismissed now.

“Is it your sister?” Lord Dericott said gently, “Is that why you do not wish to go home?”

“Are you afraid?” Sir Clement added.

Perhaps they deserved an explanation. But how could she make them understand? It sounded so strange and foolish when she said it out loud. However, she had little choice but to try.

“I do not wish to go back to my father’s house because of my older sister, Maris.”

Both men continued to stare at her, but Sir Clement’s eyes squinted and his forehead wrinkled.

“She is revengeful and jealous of me. I know it sounds strange and unbelievable, but I am afraid of her. As I told Lord Dericott, she is the one who tripped me—deliberately—and caused me to fall into the fire and get burned. And my father does not protect me from her, even though he says she is mad. He sent her to live in a convent for four years, but they refused to house her any longer. I ran away because she came back.”

Pouring out the whole ugly truth created so many emotions that she had to blink back tears.

“I am sorry your sister deliberately burned you. It is terrible.” Lord Dericott’s voice was low and quiet.