Page 68 of Castle of Refuge

She didn’t speak for several moments, and he regretted being so honest about the wolf threat. He’d probably frightened her half to death.

“You don’t think we’re going to die, do you?”

“No.” He waited, and when she didn’t speak, he said, “At dawn we will be safer. We can head back toward Dericott. Without horses we will have to take care not to let Maris and Umfrey see us. My hope is that my men will capture them once it is light. They will surely have tracked them by then.”

Perhaps he was overstating his confidence a bit, but he did not want her to worry. He’d already frightened her enough.

“The wolves can’t find us in here?”

“They probably wouldn’t be able to smell us behind the waterfall. Besides, we are not doing anything to attract their attention.”

A shudder went through her.

“You are cold. Come closer. We need to keep warm, and we need to lie down and try to sleep.”

“Are you certain? My clothes are wet.”

“I am certain. Come.” He motioned her closer.

He didn’t want to make her uncomfortable, and getting so close would have been unseemly in normal circumstances, but if they got too cold and fell asleep, they might never wake up. And if he was honest with himself, he was not sorry that their situation warranted such closeness.

They both stretched out their legs and lay in the narrow space under the overhanging rock. She scooted near, tucking her head down so that the top of her head was just barely touchinghis chin. Her hands were clasped in front of her chest, and soon they were pressed against his chest.

“Is this all right?” she asked.

“Are you close enough to get warm?”

“I believe so.” She kept her head down now, no longer able to look into his face.

Her knees were pressed against his legs and her hair was tickling his face. But he did not mind. He stayed as still as he could. And for the first time, he could think of a reason why it was good that he had only one arm—because it wasn’t getting in the way. He was lying on his left side, and there was no arm to come between his body and hers. His right arm rested against his side. If he dared, and if she wished it, he could put that arm around her and pull her a little closer. But of course, he did not dare, and she probably would not wish it.

Ideally, she would need to take off her wet clothes and let them dry. But he did not think it would get cold enough tonight to require such drastic measures.

Soon Audrey’s breathing was steady and deep, indicating she had fallen asleep. It filled his chest with warmth knowing she trusted him so much. She might have panicked at the prospect of hiding here with him. She might have been indignant, or even afraid to stay there, and might have rather tried to run back to Dericott in the cover of darkness. Or she might have dissolved in terrified tears, fearing the worst, afraid of being captured or getting eaten by wolves. But Audrey was brave. She’d borne this threatening situation as she seemed to bear everything, with fortitude and maturity.

Watching the water fall across the opening in their little hiding place, and knowing Audrey was as safe as he could make her, and also knowing she felt safe enough to fall asleep, he was beginning to feel drowsy himself. Their mutual body heat was also creating a more comfortable warmth, and he felt himself drifting.

***

“The sun is coming up.” Lord Dericott’s voice came from just behind her.

Audrey opened her eyes. Her back was pleasantly warm as she stared at the waterfall for a moment before she remembered where she was. In the middle of the night she had turned over and was now facing the water as it rushed down endlessly before the opening in the rock where she and Lord Dericott lay. Then she realized the pleasant firmness and warmth on her upper back was coming from Lord Dericott’s chest.

She rubbed her eyes at Lord Dericott’s words and pushed herself up—and pain shot through her head as it hit the rock overhang.

“Are you hurt?”

Audrey put her hand on her head and tried not to groan. “I am well. No blood. How silly of me not to remember that rock was there.”

“It is not silly to sit up when you awake in the morning. I should have warned you to watch your head.”

They both squirmed and crawled their way out of their rock hideaway until they were able to stand.

Now that they were not in such close proximity to each other, Audrey shivered. She hadn’t realized how much warmth Lord Dericott had provided. The faint light of dawn was showing through the watery curtain.

Her stomach rumbled. Fortunately, the sound of falling water drowned it out. In spite of needing food and water and wanting to escape from Maris, she was reluctant to leave this place. Lord Dericott had said such complimentary things to her, things she hadn’t realized she’d been hungry to hear. Her father rarely spoke to her, and certainly never said thoughtful and kind words.

She loved Sybil, but she was more likely to scold her good-naturedly than to praise her, though she did often tell her that she was more beautiful than Maris. But Sybil only said that because she disliked Maris so much.