Page 83 of Castle of Refuge

“Of course it was noble. It’s always noble to save your own life from someone who is trying to harm you. That’s what you told me.”

She always knew just what to say.

“And it’s noble to save your younger brothers. What could be nobler than that?”

She smiled up at him in that endearing way of hers. If they weren’t walking down the village street, he would kiss her.

“And you saved me from my sister and her henchman. But now, let us hope we don’t have any more attacks from people who wish us harm. We’ve had enough for a lifetime, I think.”

“We have had our share.”

They were nearly to the church, and he was reliving the sinking feeling of discovering that Audrey had been taken byMaris. The sight of his guard lying unconscious on the ground. Thankfully his guard had recovered from the head injury. He was still having some vision problems, but he said even that was improving.

Was Audrey also reliving the trauma of what had happened that day?

“Are you well?” he asked.

“I am well. I feel safe with you.”

At the church, they found several of the children already there. Once they had all arrived, Audrey and Edwin and the guards led the children back to Dericott Castle and to the storage room on the first floor that his servants were cleaning out and making into a classroom. The children seemed content with the new arrangement. They obviously believed that wherever their teacher was would be a good place for them.

He could not have agreed more. And he could keep her close to him now.

Twenty-One

Audrey sighed happily as she watched Edwin outside the window. He was talking to the captain of the guard on the grassy bailey below.

The invitations had been sent out for the festive ball Edwin was giving to celebrate their engagement and their wedding, which would follow the day after the ball. The guests would be arriving in a few days. Clothes had been ordered for Audrey, finery more impressive than anything she had owned as a viscount’s daughter. And she had been teaching her children every day at the castle.

Sybil had made herself quite useful helping Audrey prepare things for her students and getting ready for the ball. But best of all was having her there for Audrey to talk to, a woman who had known her all her life.

As she was getting ready for her students to arrive, she heard Sybil greeting them at the front door.

“See that you clean your feet on the rug before you come inside,” Sybil said, no doubt pointing at the plaited hemp rug she had laid in front of the door for that purpose. Many of the children did not own shoes, but the twisted hemp was good for rubbing off dirty, dusty feet as well as shoes.

The first girl to run into the room was Clarice. She was adorable, with her wide, eager eyes. She held out a rolled-up piece of paper with a string tied around it.

“Here, Mistress Audrey. I didn’t read it. The boy told me not to read it and I didn’t.”

“What is it?” Audrey asked, untying the string and feeling a prickling sensation on the back of her neck.

“I don’t know.”

Audrey unrolled the paper and felt like she’d been punched in the gut.

Call off your wedding and the engagement ball. Tell Lord Dericott you changed your mind and you will not marry him. Have you forgotten about Helena? Have you forgotten what I can do? Don’t show anyone this missive or tell anyone about it. Leave Dericott now and no harm will come to Helena or your students.

Maris

Audrey’s hands shook as she rolled the paper back up and tried to smile at the children filing into the room.

“I shall be back in a few moments,” she told them, feigning cheerfulness. She hurried out of the room and encountered Sybil.

“What is the matter, child?”

“Do you know where I can find Lord Dericott?”

“No, my dear. But he may be in his library.”