Page 79 of Castle of Refuge

“Good.” He held out his arm to her and she took it without hesitation.

Holding on to his arm felt simultaneously natural and thrilling as they made their way down the stairs. The corridors were quiet, and he headed toward the Great Hall.

“Have you heard anything from Father? Have they found Maris?”

“Not yet. But I am sure we will hear something soon.”

Audrey nodded, telling herself,Don’t worry. All will be well.

“I did ask some guards to follow us and be nearby, just to be doubly safe.”

“Of course.” Audrey smiled to show she was not worried.

“Mistress Wattlesbrook has packed us some food.” He tookthe basket from a small table by the door and they made their way outside.

They walked a short way as the sun was making the sky yellow and pink, even though it had not topped the horizon yet. On a rise, she helped Lord Dericott spread a thin blanket on the ground, and they sat and watched as the sun made its appearance.

“What a beautiful sunrise,” she said, not wanting to miss a moment of the radiant color God was painting in the sky.

“It is beautiful. I’m so glad it isn’t cloudy or rainy.”

“It is an ideal morning,” Audrey agreed. “A few clouds, which gives the sun somewhere to show off the colors.”

“But it is not as beautiful as your smile.” Lord Dericott was staring at her now.

“You are flattering me.” She felt herself blushing, her mind flitting to their kisses and his declaration of love for her the previous day.

“It is not flattery but truth. I think your smile is more beautiful than the sunrise.”

“And I think you are the bravest and best man I know.”And I love you, she couldn’t help adding in her mind, not courageous enough to say it aloud again, not yet. But oh, how she loved him, this man who would have given his life for her.

They gazed into each other’s eyes for a few moments, then went back to looking at the sunrise.

“This is a perfect spot to see the whole sky. I dearly love to see the sunrise—and the sunset too.” Audrey leaned back on her hands and gazed all around, then came back to the eastern sky.

“I thought it would be a good place to break our fast.” He opened the basket. “Take whatever you like.”

Rather than let Lord Dericott hear her stomach rumble, she reached inside and took out a fruit pasty. “Your cooks make the best cherry pasties,” she said.

He smiled and took a bite of one, then nodded.

When the sunrise had faded and the sun was shining brightly, he said, “Shall we wander and see if we can find some wildflowers?”

“Oh, I love wildflowers!”

He offered her his arm. She took it and they walked quite close together. It was strange, but whenever she was with him, she felt safe, peaceful, and less impulsive. He made her feel as if she had nothing to fear and that all would be well, no matter what happened.

Perhaps she should tell him that, but it felt so good and comfortable walking close by his side that she didn’t want to spoil the moment. Whenever she glanced up at him, he was either looking very serious as he led them on a narrow path down the side of the ridge or he was gazing down at her with a gentle smile.

They were at the bottom, walking through some trees, when they came to a shallow stream about six feet wide.

“So pretty!” Audrey loved the sound of the water spilling over the smooth rocks that lined the bottom, perfectly visible through the clear, clean water. The bank was rather steep, but there was a tiny dirt path that led to the water’s edge.

“Come. We will cross it.” Lord Dericott started leading her down to the water.

“How? We will get wet.”

“Do you trust me?”