Page 77 of Castle of Refuge

He gave her a crooked smile and winked. She couldn’t help but smile back. And couldn’t help but remember how willing he had been to die to give her a chance to one day escape the fate Maris planned for her. And the kisses they’d shared—that was unforgettable as well.

Had Edwin meant it when he said he loved her and that he wanted to marry her? Her heart still fluttered thinking about it. Loving him was so easy, and the truth had been dawning on her, gradually, for some time now. But she had not dared to let herself dwell on her feelings as long as she believed he was pledged to another—or to let herself believe he could love her.

As they rode through the village of Dericott, people came out of their homes and stared at them. They began to recognize Edwin and Gerard, and smiles broke out on their faces. A few called out, while others cheered. Three of Audrey’s students were playing together and saw her. They called out, “Teacher! Teacher is home!”

Gerard moved his horse closer to Audrey. “They’re more delighted to see you than Edwin or me!”

Audrey laughed, then shook her head.

Edwin raised his brow at her. “It is true.” He smiled, asif it pleased him that the villagers loved her more than they loved him.

They made their way up the hill to Dericott Castle.

“Do you think my father and his men have captured Maris and Umfrey?” she asked Edwin, who rode close to her.

“They should have by now. I would not worry. His men are experienced trackers, no doubt, and Maris and Umfrey could not outrun them for long.”

She couldn’t help but feel a bit uneasy until she heard they were captured.

Mistress Wattlesbrook met them on the front steps of the castle. She clasped her hands, her eyes watery. “Thanks be to God for bringing you safely home.”

The guards began to inform Lord Dericott of the happenings at the castle while Edwin’s brother, Lord Gerard, helped her down from her horse.

Edwin called up to Mistress Wattlesbrook. “See that her wrists are bandaged.”

“I shall attend her, never fear.” Mistress Wattlesbrook whisked Audrey inside and Gerard followed, leaving Edwin outside to talk to his men.

“Lord Dericott also has some injuries,” Audrey said, trying to look over her shoulder for him.

“Very minor,” Gerard said, winking and shaking his head.

“And what a surprise to see you!” Mistress Wattlesbrook called to Edwin’s brother, even as she hurried down the corridor with Audrey.

“I thought I would surprise you,” Gerard said in his pleasantmanner. “But I was the one surprised when I came upon this young lady’s father, searching for her and her sister. It seems quite a lot has been stirring around here.”

“Indeed,” was all Mistress Wattlesbrook said.

They went into a small room, and Mistress Wattlesbrook reached for a roll of bandages and a flask.

“Now, I must hear all that has happened with the both of you. Who shall begin?”

Audrey and Gerard exchanged looks.

“I believe the lady should go first. Her story is much more harrowing.”

Even as tired as she was, Audrey was rather eager to tell the tale to a sympathetic ear, and she knew Mistress Wattlesbrook was just that sort of listener. So she began from when she was finishing her lesson at the church the day before and told of her experiences, although she made sure to leave out the detail of her and Edwin’s mutual kisses and declarations of love.

When she got to the part where Edwin persuaded Maris to kill him and spare Audrey, she got choked up. She had to stop and take deep breaths while Mistress Wattlesbrook made encouraging noises such as “There, there,” and “mm, mm,” and “tsk, tsk.”

Audrey cleared her throat. “When they were about to do something horrible, my father and Lord Gerard came to our rescue. If they had come one minute later, it would probably have been too late.”

Unbidden, tears flooded her eyes and she had to take deep breaths again to chase them away.

Mistress Wattlesbrook patted her shoulder very gently. “Allis well. God provided help when you needed it, and we are all so grateful to the Almighty.” The good woman clasped her hands together and closed her eyes for a moment.

“I thank God we came when we did,” Gerard said. “I can hardly believe a woman... Well, I can believe a woman could be so heartless.” He frowned and met Mistress Wattlesbrook’s gaze over Audrey’s shoulder.

He must have been referring to their stepmother, who had falsely accused him and had ultimately cost Edwin his arm.