Page 15 of Veil of Winter

“Delia’s brother?” Oh yes. Delia had mentioned something about him. “Why is he here?” She lowered her voice, but she was sure he could hear her.

“He and his fellow knight, Sir Oswalt, came to help you. Delia was very concerned for you after your last letter.”

“But why...” She motioned Ysabeau closer. Her friend leaned down to let her whisper in her ear. “Why was he kissing me? Why did you allow him to take advantage of my weak state?”

“Please forgive me, Your Highness,” Sir Gerard said, once again stepping toward her. “Ysabeau was very concerned for you, so I was trying something I saw a Saracen healer do when a knight was knocked off his horse. He wasn’t breathing, so the healer pinched his nose and blew into his mouth—”

“You blew into my mouth?”

“Well, no, not exactly. I—”

“How dare you! You are not a healer. And I don’t know you.”

“I was only trying to help.”

This man should be apologizing, not trying to justify his actions! She had never kissed a man before. She’d always intended her first kiss to be with her husband when their betrothal was arranged. This man had just stolen that from her and all he could do was make excuses.

“I believe he truly was only trying to help,” Ysabeau said quietly.

“Well, he should not have—did not have the right to... to be so familiar.”

She glanced back at the man. His jaw twitched and his arms were crossed over his chest.

“Do you want to forget about the plan?” Ysabeau said softly. “The physicians could be back any moment.”

“No.” Elyce had to make this work. “We can still go. Where is Jacob?”

“He is nearby.” Ysabeau glanced over her shoulder.

“Do these knights know everything?”

“I told them. I trusted Sir Gerard because he is your friend’s brother, and I was so distraught.”

“It cannot be helped. We must swear them to secrecy and go.”

“I think it would be better to take them with us,” Ysabeau said. “We will need their protection.”

She saw the reason in Ysabeau’s suggestion, but she didn’ttrust the man who had pressed his lips to hers without her permission.

Ysabeau whispered, “We will surely be followed. I know you are angry that he touched you, but he did revive you.”

“Revive me? He pinched my nose! I woke up on my own. And he... he violated my dignity. He should not have touched me. He is not a physician, and he had no idea what he was doing.”

“I know he embarrassed you, but since he is your friend’s brother, and since he did come here to help us, I believe we can trust him. Besides, you are weak. I doubt you can even walk. And Jacob cannot carry you far.”

“Of course I can walk. Help me up.”

“Eat something first.” Ysabeau’s expression was pained.

Elyce grabbed a pasty that was on a linen napkin at her bedside and shoved it in her mouth. As soon as she swallowed the bite, she took a drink of water, then a sip of watered-down wine, hoping it would keep her from feeling sick. She took a couple more bites before lifting the four corners of the linen and wrapping the food inside.

“Let us go. We could be discovered at any moment.”

“So we may bring the two English knights with us?” Ysabeau was wringing her hands, her brows drawn together.

“If it will make you feel better, you can let them come with us. But if they cause any problems, I will send them away.”

“Yes, of course. I’ll get Jacob and we can go.”