“You look as if you have been rolling in the dirt,” she said.
He lifted an eyebrow. “Is that why you are here? To laugh at me?”
“Nay, my lord, assuredly not,” she said, fighting off her grin. “I have come to ask you something. Might I have a moment of your time?”
Anything for you.“Of course,” he said shortly. “Arik, Roald, excuse us please.”
The two knights retreated and Gaston fought himself to keep his gaze, his manner, from turning soft on her. It was extremely difficult when she was smiling so openly at him.
“I know you are busy, so I will be brief,” she said. “I promised Dane several weeks ago that he could attend the Mid-SummerFaire in Ripon. The faire is today, my lord, and I would like to keep my promise. Will you give us your permission to go?”
“Just you and Dane?” he asked.
“All of us,” she clarified. “My sisters have been looking forward to it, as well.”
He signed, brushing at the dust in his hair. “I see no reason why not,” he said. “How far is Ripon?”
“Eight miles to the north east, not far,” she said. “It is a lovely ride.”
He looked thoughtful. “I will assign a few knights to accompany you. When will you want to leave?”
“As soon as possible,” she said. “Dane is bouncing off the walls and I do not know how much longer I can contain him.”
He smiled for the first time. “Ah, the excitement of a faire,” he agreed. “I remember it well. Very well, then, gather your things and I shall send someone for you when the escort has been assembled.”
She smiled broadly. “Thank you, my lord. Dane thanks you.”
He allowed himself the luxury of softening, his eyes roving over her curvy form. Then he noticed the grimy handprint and he reached out to touch it.
“What is this?” he demanded, his tone sweet one moment and deadly the next.
She had completely forgotten about her encounter and glanced down at the stain. “A soldier grabbed me,” she said, unconcerned. “I escaped him, though.”
He looked at the dark smudge a moment. “Which soldier?”
“Over there, at the corner of the inner wall,” she pointed in the general direction, not comprehending his tone. She should have listened well; it was by far the most deep, threatening tone he had yet to use. Instead, she turned back to him. “Do you think you will be able to come to the faire? Dane would love to have you with him. Charles thinks faires are a silly bunch of nonsenseand refuses to go, so there will be just womenfolk to accompany my son.”
“Show me which soldier,” he ignored her prattle.
As if she were slapped in the face, she caught on to the inflection in his voice and she was wary. “Gaston, no harm was done,” she said quietly. “There is no need to punish the man.”
He took her by the arm, gently yet firmly. “You will show me who lay his hand upon you.”
She was beginning to grow frightened as she allowed him to take her back across the courtyard. His massive body was tense; she could feel it. When they drew close to the group of men she had indicated, he came to a halt.
“Which man?” he asked steadily.
She was extremely hesitant to tell him, but she had no choice. “That one.”
Gaston let her go and went up to the soldier. “You, man,” his voice was like the low rumble of thunder. “Come here.”
The soldier straightened, his eyes wide at the sight of the Dark Knight. His comrades ceased their movement, all watching Gaston with a good deal of apprehension and a healthy fear. And there was no mistaking the lady standing several feet away; they all knew what was about to happen and why. Foreboding filled the air.
“Aye, my lord?” the man stammered.
Gaston gazed at the dirty, aged face. “Did you touch Lady Stoneley?”
The soldier peered around Gaston to Remington, standing tensely by the inner wall. “That’s the lady of the keep? I dinna know, my lord, I swear it. I would have never touched her had I known she was the Lady.”
